Black and white prints stands on their own and have a unique beauty more sophisticated than colored prints. The art world is filled with color, maybe because it is more tied with reality, but it would be great if you can manipulate it to some degree and express life without the color. Leave something for the imagination to fill. Prints in black and white can be as good and stunning as colored prints.

The term ‘print’ or ‘printing’ in photography refers to the creation of a positive photo from the negative image, a reversion of light spots appearing dark and the dark appearing light. By completely controlling the light into a light-sensitive surface, through the negative, the paper is coated with the sensitized emulsion.

Creation of black and white prints

Professionals specially create prints in black and white from photo laboratories or it can also be created using the computer. Most people prefers hand printing of black and white prints, which can be developed in a ‘darkroom’  using special ‘papers’ that are less sensitive to some colors of light. The paper is safely seen under a ‘safelight’, a suitable light that provides illumination on some parts of the spectrum.  Viewing under the ‘safelight’ avoids creating undesirable density or ‘fogging’ on the print coming from the unintentional exposure on non-image developing source.

During the printing process, the quality and final aspect of black and white prints can considerably be altered subject to the processing, increased or decreased exposure of print parts (‘dodging and burning’), whole prints overall exposure and depending on paper type or printing surface.

‘Dodging and burning’ refers to the printing process of manipulating exposure of chosen areas. The use of ‘dodging’ blocks the lighter portions when the photograph is printed so the print appears lighter, while ‘burning’ provides more exposure to the chosen areas of print so it will be darker.

Printing Methods

There are two printing methods of black and white prints– contact printing and projection printing. Contact printing refers to the ‘contact’ of the paper and the negative thereby touching the other. The positive image is in the same size of the negative and the ‘contact sheet’ is seen with every paper frame printed on the same size of the negative frame.  Projection printing is done through an enlarger, creating a ‘bigger’ than the negative size print and commonly called as ‘enlargement’. The negative is out lying distantly from the paper and is projected with light.

The emerging fine art of black and white prints

Photography prints in black and white brings a more different interest to photography enthusiasts since it brings a more somber or classic feel. For some people, they prefer to have black and white prints when they want to enhance the interior designs of their office or their home.  Mostly you can see these types of photo prints in diners, restaurants, hotels or suites which prefers to have a contemporary black and white theme.

Some people choose to have their black and white prints on canvas (velvet, glossy and matte finish) and then have them customized in frame to be displayed as a wall art in their interiors. Silver, grey or black frames best complements the print decor with this kind of theme.