10 Inspiring Black and White Photos

If you need some inspiration for your photography or creative design career, look no further because you came to the right article.

Photography is all about seizing a moment in time, and most black and white photos do just that. They tell stories, evoke emotions, and transport you to another place and time.

It’s why we can’t help but be drawn to stunning black and white photos. Each is like a work of art, begging to be studied and appreciated.

Curious to know more? Read on and see the best inspiring black and white photos out there.

Best Black and White Photos You Should Know About

In a world filled with color, it’s easy to forget the simple beauty of black and white photography. These photos are often more striking and evocative than their colorful counterparts due to the stark contrast between black and white tones.

Interestingly, many of the inspiring photos were taken by amateur photographers. It shows that you don’t need years of experience or expensive equipment to create amazing images. All it takes is creativity, passion, and skill.

Whether you’re a photographer yourself or appreciate great photography, these photos are definitely worth checking out. Here are 10 inspiring black and white photos that will remind you of the power of classic style.

1.  “The Steerage” by Alfred Stieglitz

Credit: Khan Academy

About the Photo :

The Steerage was captured in 1907, and it shows immigrants traveling on a steamship. The photo is atmospheric and evocative, and it captures the feeling of hope and anticipation that the immigrants are feeling.

 About the Photographer :

Alfred Stieglitz, an American photographer who was a pioneer of modern photography, was instrumental in developing the art form of photography as a legitimate medium and also founded the magazine Camera Work. His photos are notable for their abstraction and use of light and shadow.

 2. “The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville” by Robert Doisneau

Credit: About Photography

About the Photo :

Robert Doisneau took this photo in 1950, and it shows a couple kissing in the streets of Paris. The photo is romantic, and it captures the joy and love of love.

About the Photographer :

Robert Doisneau was a French photographer known for his candid photos of everyday life. He often captured people in natural poses, and his photos have a sense of spontaneity to them.

3. “Einstein With His Tongue Out” by Arthur Sasse

Credit: PBase 

About the Photo :
This black and white photo was taken in 1951, showing Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue. It’s a playful and lighthearted photo, which contrasts with Einstein’s serious persona. The photo was taken just before Einstein gave a speech at Princeton University.
About the Photographer :
Arthur Sasse was a photographer who is best known for his portraits of celebrities and politicians. He worked for several magazines, including Time and Life.
4. “Moonrise, Hernandez” by Ansel Adams

Credit: Norton Simon Museum

About the Photo :

This photo was taken in 1941 and showed the moon rising over the mountains of Hernandez, New Mexico. It’s a beautiful and serene photo that captures the majesty of nature.

About the Photographer:

Ansel Adams, an American photographer, is best known for his stunning landscapes and a member of the Sierra Club, and his photos helped raise awareness of environmental issues.

5.  “Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C. ” by Diane Arbus

Credit: Met Museum

About the Photo

This photo was taken in 1962 and showed a boy holding a toy soldier. The photo is intimate and personal, and it captures the innocence of childhood. It’s a poignant reminder that children are never truly immune to the horrors of war.

About the Photographer:

Diane Arbus, an American photographer, best known for her documentary-style photos, often photographed people who were considered to be outsiders, including circus performers and nudists.

6.” Times Square at Night” by Andreas Feininger

About the Photo :

This photo was taken in 1952 and showed the skyline of New York City at night. The photo is full of energy and life, as it captures the hustle and bustle of NYC. It’s a stunning photo that captures the essence of New York City.

About the Photographer:

Andreas Feininger was a German-born photographer best known for his photos of cities and architecture. He worked as a staff photographer for Life magazine, and National Geographic often published his photographs.

 7. “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange

Credit: Moma

About the Photo :

Dorothea Lange took this photo in 1936 showing a woman named Florence Owens Thompson with her children. They are all exhausted and weary, as they were migrant workers evicted from their farms. This photo is an important historical document, as it captures the hardships of the Great Depression.

About the Photographer:

Dorothea Lange was a photographer who is best known for her work documenting the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. She was a staff photographer for the Farm Security Administration, and her photos helped raise awareness of the plight of farmers during that time.

8. “Walking Among Giants” by Lin Na

Credit: Wix Photography

About the Photo :

This photo was taken in 2014 and showed a woman walking among the trees in a forest. The photo is surreal and evocative, as it captures the beauty and power of nature.

About the Photographer:

Lin Na is a Chinese photographer known for her photos of nature and landscapes. She often captures the beauty of the natural world, and her photographs have been widely published.

9. “New York City” by Helen Levitt

Credit: Met Museum

About the Photo :

This photo was taken in 1939 and showed children playing in the streets of New York City. It’s a candid photo that captures the joy and innocence of childhood.

About the Photographer:

Helen Levitt, an American photographer known for her street photography in New York City, was a member of the Photo League. Her photos have been published in magazines and books worldwide.

10. “Gandhi at the spinning wheel” by Margaret Bourke-White

Credit: NPR

About the Photo :

This photo was taken in 1946 and showed Mahatma Gandhi spinning cotton thread. It’s a simple but powerful image, and it captures Gandhi’s dedication to promoting self-reliance.

About the Photographer:

Margaret Bourke-White, an American photographer, best known for her photos of India during the early days of independence, was the first woman to be accredited as a war correspondent.  Her photographs were published in magazines and books all over the world.

Those are just some of the inspiring black and white photos. If you need more inspiration or want to explore the world of black and white photography, you can always check online because the entries there are endless.

As you explore more black and white photos, we hope that these examples will inspire you to take pictures and try to use black and white in some of your photography projects.

Tools You Can Use To Make An Image Black and White 

If you are already thinking of putting some twist on your photography skills by trying to make an image black and white, you need not worry, as there are many tools available out there that can help you do that even with fewer skills present. 

1. Canva

It is a web-based design platform that allows users to create professional-grade designs. Canva offers a wide range of tools and templates. You can choose from a range of pre-made templates or create your design from scratch. It is easy to use, and you can add text, images, and shapes to your design.

Canva offers a range of subscription plans, and the prices vary depending on the features you want. The cheapest plan is the Basic plan, which costs $12.95 per month. The most expensive plan is the Business plan, which costs $199.95 per month.

If you are using Canva, and you want to make an image black and white, follow these steps:

1. Open Canva and select the “Create a design” button
2. Choose the type of design you want to create
3. Select the “Blank canvas” option
4. Add text, images, and shapes to your design
5. To make an image black and white, select the

“Filter” tab and choose the “Black & White” option

6. Save your design

2. Pixelied

Pixelied is a web-based photo editor that offers a wide range of features. It allows you to add text, images and shapes to your design. It also gives you access to millions of stock photos, illustrations, and icons. It’s easy to use, and the results are high quality. You can use it to create designs for your business cards or flyers.

The prices for Pixelied vary depending on the features that you want. It has a free plan for basic templates and features. They currently offer a lifetime subscription that gives you access to more premium templates, unlimited downloads, unlimited storage, among other benefits. All you need is to pay a one-time fee of $97.

To be able to make an image black and white using Pixelied, follow these steps:

1. Open Pixelied and select the “Create a design” option.
2. Choose the template that you want to use. You can choose a pre-made template or create your own design from scratch.
3. Add text, images, and shapes to your design.
4. Select the “Colors” option and change the color mode to “Grayscale.”
5. Click on the “Save” button and choose a file type (JPEG, PNG, SVG) and file name.
6. Click on the “Export” button and choose the quality level you want.
7. Click on the “Download” button and save the file to your computer.

3. Adobe Photoshop

A widely-used photo editor allows you to create and edit photos and also offers a range of tools that you can use to retouch your photos. You can use the healing brush to remove blemishes and the cloning stamp to copy parts of one photo onto another.

The prices for Photoshop vary depending on the features that you want. The cheapest plan is the Photography plan, which costs $9.99 per month. The most expensive plan is the Creative Cloud plan, which costs $599.99 per month.

If you want to make an image black and white in Adobe Photoshop, do the following :

1. Open Adobe Photoshop and select the “File” menu.
2. Select the “Open” option and locate the photo you want to edit.
3. Select the “Image” menu and choose the “Mode” option.
4. Select the “Grayscale” option and click on the “OK” button.
5. Add text, images, and shapes to your photo.
6. Select the “Colors” option and change the color mode to “Grayscale.”
7. Click on the “Save.”

Simple Tips To Create Stunning Black and White Photos

Combining the right tools with the best practices in creating stunning black and white photos will take your creative skills to another level. We have already listed down the photo editor and tools; it’s time to share some photo editing tips that you can simply follow.

1. Choose a powerful subject matter.

When taking photos in black and white, it’s crucial to choose a powerful subject matter. You should choose subjects that will stand out in black and white. Try to find subjects with solid lines and shapes, and avoid photos with many colors.

2. Find the right light.

Lighting is essential when shooting in black and white. You’ll want to find a balance between light and dark so that your subject matter is well-defined. Avoid harsh lighting, as it can create too much contrast in your photos.

3. Use shadows to your advantage.

Shadows are a superb way to add interest to your photos. Look for areas of shadow that can add depth and mystery to your shots.

4. Experiment with textures.

Textures are another great thing to experiment with within black and white photography. Look for textures that will stand out against the stark contrast of black and white.

5. Shoot in RAW format.

Always shoot in RAW format if given an option. Through this, you will have more flexibility in editing your photos.

After capturing your best shot, you just have to post-processing using the photo editor and tools, and you will have your stunning black and white photo in no time.

Takeaway

Capturing and editing photos can be a time-consuming process, but it’s worth it if you want to create the best possible images. By learning about photo editing tools and techniques, you can improve your work and make your photos stand out from the rest.

Now go ahead, be creative, and heed our photo editing tips. We would love to see your black and white images!