[2023] Best Black and White Portraits (Creative Photography)

Black and white portraiture expresses some distinct emotions that colorful portraiture photos sometimes can struggle to express. You may have heard or read something else but to shoot in black and white is not easy - it’s not only about shifting to monochrome mode. To get the perfect, emotional B&W portrait photo there’s a lot of details you as a photographer need to take into account. We contacted German Tobias Glawe (), a portraiture photographer specialized in black & white photos, to give us an insight into how he shoots and creates his beautiful B&W photos. And as Tobias has written on his ViewBug profile:

”Portraits that are done in black and white add an emotional layer of complexity to their subject. It’s the purest and maybe the most elegant way to photograph people.” - Tobias Glawe

Why Shoot in Black and White?

Shooting in black and white can be a deliberate choice that adds a unique dimension to your portraits. By stripping away the distraction of color, you can focus on the essence of your subject, revealing their inner beauty, emotions, and character. Black and white portraits can convey a sense of timelessness, elegance, and sophistication, making them a popular choice for fine art, fashion, and portrait photography. The absence of color allows the viewer to connect more deeply with the subject, emphasizing the raw emotions and intricate details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The Benefits of Black and White Portraits

Black and white portraits offer several benefits that can enhance the overall impact of your images:

Increased Depth and Texture: Without the distraction of color, the viewer’s attention is drawn to the subject’s features, textures, and expressions. This can add a layer of depth and complexity to your portraits.
More Dramatic and Emotive Effect: Black and white portraits can evoke a stronger emotional response, as the viewer is forced to focus on the subject’s emotions and character. The contrast between light and shadow can create a powerful, dramatic effect.
Timeless and Classic Style: Black and white portraits can create a sense of nostalgia and timelessness, making them a popular choice for fine art and portrait photography. They often feel more classic and enduring than their color counterparts.
Greater Flexibility in Post-Processing: Black and white images can be easily converted from color images, allowing for greater flexibility in post-processing and editing. This can help you achieve the perfect balance of tones and contrasts in your final image.

How to Decide Between Color and Black and White

Deciding between color and black and white ultimately depends on your artistic vision and the message you want to convey. If you want to emphasize the subject’s emotions, character, and inner beauty, black and white may be the better choice. However, if you want to capture the vibrancy and energy of a scene, color may be more suitable. Consider the mood and story you want to tell with your portrait photography. Black and white can strip away distractions and highlight the core elements of your subject, making it a powerful tool for creating impactful images.

When to Choose Black and White for a Portrait

Black and white is often the preferred choice for portraits that aim to:

Capture a sense of intimacy and vulnerability
Emphasize the subject’s emotions and character
Create a timeless and classic look
Focus on the subject’s features and textures
Evoke a sense of nostalgia and history

Choosing black and white for your portrait photography can help you create images that are both striking and memorable, allowing the viewer to connect more deeply with the subject.

Equipment and Preparation for Black and White Portrait Photography

While any camera can be used for black and white portrait photography, some equipment and preparation can help you achieve high-quality images. The right tools and planning can make a significant difference in the final outcome of your black and white portraits.

Cameras and Lenses for High-Quality Black and White Images

For high-quality black and white images, consider using:

A Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) or Mirrorless Camera: These cameras typically offer good low-light performance, which is crucial for capturing the subtle nuances in black and white photography.
A Prime Lens or a Zoom Lens with a Wide Aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.8): A wide aperture allows you to create a shallow depth of field, which can help isolate your subject and add a beautiful bokeh effect to your portraits.
A Tripod: Ensuring stable and sharp images is essential, especially in low-light conditions. A tripod can help eliminate camera shake and maintain the clarity of your black and white images.
A Remote Shutter Release or Camera Timer: Minimizing camera shake and noise is crucial for achieving crisp, high-resolution black and white photos.

Additionally, consider the following preparation tips:

Scout for a Location with Good Natural Light: Natural light can add a soft, flattering effect to your portraits. If shooting indoors, position your subject near a large window to take advantage of the natural light.
Choose a Simple and Neutral Background: Avoid distractions in the background to keep the focus on your subject. A clean, uncluttered background can enhance the overall composition of your black and white portrait.
Prepare Your Subject: Discuss the concept, posing, and expression you want to capture with your subject. Ensuring they are comfortable and understand your vision can lead to more natural and expressive portraits.
Shoot in RAW Format: Capturing images in RAW format allows you to retain the maximum amount of image data, providing greater flexibility in post-processing. This is particularly important for black and white conversion, as it allows you to fine-tune the tones and contrasts in your final image.

By carefully selecting your equipment and preparing thoroughly, you can create stunning black and white portraits that capture the essence and emotion of your subject.

o their subject. It's the purest and maybe the most elegant way to photograph people.” - Tobias Glawe

How to Take Black and White Portraits [Guide]

1. Black And White Portrait Lighting
2. How To Talk To Your Model
3. Portrait Camera Settings
4. Portraits Manual Focus
5. B&W Portrait Examples
6. Black & White Inspiration Galleries

1. Find The (Right) Light (For You)
I prefer to work with natural light and uniform lighting, so I work most of the time with a large window behind me and I always try to avoid direct sunlight. The result is a softer light, which is always a good point to start with, in particular for female portraits. Make sure that your model is the brightest part of the photo, especially the models face. Also, try to get catchlight in your model's eyes to add dimension and depth to them. a clean background with not too many distractions is also very helpful.

2. Communicate With Your Model
Black & white portraits reduce the elements for the image composition. So it is important to find a good balance for those elements that are still left: Simplification of the scene, Golden ratio, Luminance contrast. Your model is the star, give her or him the attention he or she deserves. Empathy and communication are the keys. Talk to your model (small talk always helps), ensure to engage your vis-à-vis, don't bore them, and try to make them feel comfortable. Their expression is the most important element you have.

3. Know Your Settings
Knowing your camera and gear is essential (with all pros and cons). Choose a lens you trust (I prefer 85mm on Full Frame) and always shoot in Manual Mode “M” with Spot Metering. The benefits you'll get are consistently great results. You need to check and properly readjust the settings (Shutter Speed or Aperture) when conditions are changing, e.g. distance to the light source (or window). Also, set your picture style or camera display to monochrome to get a better preview.

4. Don't Be Afraid To Focus Manually
It's a matter of taste but I like to shoot portraits nearly wide open between f/1.8 and f/2.5. If you own a DSLR, you're only supported by the Phase detection of the Autofocus (in 90% of all cases). With 85mm f/1.8 on a 35mm DSLR and 2.7 Yards distance to your model, there is a Depth of field of 3.4 Inches. To handle this with the Autofocus, you need a bunch of well-performing Autofocus Points and a perfect lens without a front or back focus issue. When you shoot wide open, be prepared to focus or refocus manually sometimes (you're lucky, if your lens offers a combined automatic and manual focus – many modern lenses do).

5. Underexpose it
First of all, shoot RAW. A big advantage is that even if you set your picture style to monochrome, you'll get a full colored RAW file instead of a black and white jpeg. Another tip is to underexpose your portraiture photos. Depending on the model's skin tone and camera characteristics, for example, 1/3 stops for darker skin to 2/3 for brighter skin. However, these are just guidelines since every camera and light situation is unique - you need to try it out yourself.

So how do you know how much you need to underexpose the picture? Try to capture the natural shadows on the cheeks, jawline and under the lips on a photo - if you don’t see these shadows then it’s too overexposed. In overexposed images, you'll lose this shadows and get a flat result. Reconstructing those shadows in the post-processing provokes errors and it's a frustrating thing to do. It’s easier to correct moderate underexposure than overexposure. There are many ways to correct the luminosity in post-processing: HSL, Gradation Curves, etc.

6. Use Your Colored Photo Version
Most modern retouch techniques like Frequency Separation or Gradient Maps are not suitable for greyscale photos so I recommend doing all retouching work on the colored photos. It helps to prevent blotchy skin parts.

7. Every Photo Is Unique
It’s important to understand that every single B&W photo is unique and needs its own black and white conversion. In the past, I used several ways and tools for a black and white conversion but I like the way how Alien Skin Exposure works. I start with a custom preset based on a B&W Film emulsion but then I need to take into account the different, unique, characteristics of the image. Settings like color channels, clarity, and curves vary on skin and hair color, makeup, and luminance contrast.

For more great portraiture photos taken by Tobias, visit his profile, website, Facebook page and Instagram.

Check Out These Inspiring Posts:

1. Black and White Photography Guide

A special thanks to our friend and professional photographer Greg Gorman for his collaboration as a guest judge in this photo contest. From personality portraits and advertising campaigns to magazine layouts and fine artwork, Greg Gorman has developed and showcased a discriminating and unique style in his profession over the past four decades. Mr. Gorman is a master fine-art photographer whose images of stage, film, sports, and music personalities are both stunningly beautiful and iconic. His distinctive use of light in his black and white portraits is one the identifying aspects of a Gorman photograph.

100+ Examples Of Great Black And White Portraits:

"KarabA" by ByKefraN