September 2025

R I C H T A Y L O R P H O T O G R A P H Y “It’s not the camera. It’s the artist behind it.” - Rich Taylor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article and Photography by: Rich Taylor Model below: David Lee Acevedo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Black & White Photography ______________________________________ Black and white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is any of several monochrome forms in the visual arts. B&W is often regarded as the ‘second best to color’ but I couldn’t disagree more. If I could strictly shoot in B&W I would. Why? Black and white images create a timeless mood that a color photo simply cannot duplicate. When I look at a black and white photo, I am immediately transported back in time. Even if the photograph was shot yesterday. In the early days, photographers (and videographers) were limited to black and white (or sepia). With the absence of color, photographers had to analyze the elements, look past the color, see only the highlights, shadows, and how they worked together. Too much shadow could cause the elements to look muddy. Too much light and there would not be enough contrast plus there were concerns of overexposure. It was a sensitive balance of B&W and all blends in between that photographers had to see in a color world.