Is monochrome black and white? Is black and white monochrome? You may be surprised at the answer. I was after I did some research. Here’s what I found.

Black and white is the result of only using black or white and shades of. The shades of meaning grayscale.  Here are some black and white photographs.

Monochrome photos contain variations of only one color and nothing else. Meaning, different shades of one color like blue, red, green, etc. Here are some of my examples.

Now here’s something I learned from my research. Since black and white photos contain variants of the color gray ranging from absolute black to absolute white, all black and whites are monochrome images. But not all monochrome, by nature of their dominate color are black and white photos.

Here are some of my photos shot in color, converted to black and white and then I added a sepia tone. This process puts them in the monochrome category.

How do you shoot black and white images? My research suggests that we shoot in color, so we get the additional tonal range that color provides. Then convert your photos to black and white when you process. I photograph in color. If I see a great deal of contrast, I use Lightroom to take a quick look at how it would look in black and white. Then I edit in NIK Silver Efex.

There’s so much more to editing black and white images, but let’s save that for another post. Here are two of my favorite black and white images.

Are you ready to show off your black and white or monochrome images? I’d like to see them. Did you shoot them in color and how did you process them? When you post, remember to link to this post and use the Lens-Artists tag so we can find your wonderful images.

I enjoyed seeing all your photos using primary colors. Sofia gave us such a fun challenge. Next week, Donna will be challenging us. Be sure to look for her post.

If you would like to participate weekly in our Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info. 

178 thoughts on “LAPC #265: Black and White or Monochrome”

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  12. Thanks for setting up the challenge! I can see why you chose your too favourites. I agree with your choice. Strange how a flower looks so good in mono but it the lighting that makes it. And again it’s lighting on the mountains that does the trick. Thanks for showing these.

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  13. Hi Anne, thank you for hosting the challenge. I appreciated the lesson on the terms as well. I have set my camera to B&W setting in the past and it is fun to see how the camera works compared to using software to convert the photos from color to B&W. My computer ran an update and the photo editing software now has several choices for the B&W conversions. It was interesting to see the warm/cool options. I love the two photos that you chose as your favorites in your post – they are stunning and do look great in B&W! Here’s my post for you to check out when you have a chance. Thank you again for hosting the challenge! https://www.quaintrevival.com/a-post-brought-to-you-in-black-white-and-color-with-a-bonus-you-choose-what-youd-chews-too/

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  18. Wonderful examples of black and white here, and this is such a great challenge! You’re absolutely right, ther’s much to be said about black and white editing, both in film processing and printing and in digital editing. I am currently experimenting with the slightest sepia toning but I am not certain I am where I want to be yet. Here’s my example: https://empireoflights.com/2023/09/04/last-call/ – enjoy, and thanks!

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      1. We are well, Anne.
        I’ve had a few IT issues. My computer constantly disconnects from the internet so I tend to lose a lot of work. My husband thankfully seems to have fixed the problem in the last day so I don’t have to type this reply 50 million times before I can send it! Happy days.

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  26. Thank you so much for this valuable lesson, I didn’t know the differences. An exciting and challenging theme. Especially for those of us who love color. 😀 Your black and white favorites also became mine.

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      1. Interesting post and glad you wrote about the differences. I take photos in colour and then change to black and white. I love the sepia tones though.
        I’m currently writing up my Paris trip but hope to join in the challenges soon

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