This question is something I struggled with for a long time. My first few photography classes were in black and white, and I learned enough about the darkroom to realize that I didn’t want to attempt to take the color darkroom classes. However, my next class after high school was all about color slide film. Luckily, we weren’t expected to develop the film, so I found a professional lab in Portland that did both slides and black and white printing.

      With access to a professional printer, I now had the choice of whether to shoot in black and white or color film. After the one course, I didn’t go back to slides. I found that I liked having actual prints to hold and look at much better than needing special equipment to be able to view my photos. Of course, I laugh as I write this sentence, realizing that the switch to digital has done just that. But, that’s a conversation for another day.

      At first, I wasn’t sure which would be better for a given situation - color or black and white. I had seen people, animals, buildings, and landscapes all as black and white that looked amazing. However, we live in a wonderful world of vivid colors that just beg to be captured. So, I tried it all. I soon realized that not all subjects look good in black and white, if the lighting and the detail aren’t right. Likewise, some subjects don’t look as good in color as they do in black and white. Sometimes, the color can actually be distracting, shifting the focus from where you intended, overpowering the subtle details you were aiming for. View of the Chateau Frontenac after dark. Architecture at night almost always makes for a great black and white image. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

View of the Chateau Frontenac after dark. Architecture at night almost always makes for a great black and white image. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

      I found myself trying to anticipate what types of subject matter I would be photographing so I could decide whether to choose black and white or color film. I didn’t want to waste the film or risk ruining it or double-exposing any of my photos, so once I put a roll of film in the camera, I used it until it was done. But, since I didn’t bracket or experiment with composition at any given situation, I would still have unused frames on the roll after finishing a shoot.

      Invariably, this led to me having the wrong type of film in the camera the next time I went out. On little shoots around my area, it was annoying but not a huge deal. If necessary, I could always go back to the location to try again with different film, not that I ever really did that. But, it was always there as a possibility.

      The real issue was traveling. It was during this same time frame that I started traveling internationally. I would be in places like London or Edinburgh with fantastic architecture, so I would decide on black and white film. Then, I wouldn’t finish the roll by the time I left for the countryside. I’d be stuck taking photos of the beautiful rolling green fields with black and white film. The Irish Guards Regiment of the Household Division marching to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This photo is ok in black and white, but with the iconic colors of the uniforms in this world-famous ceremony, it really should have been in color. London, England, UK

The Irish Guards Regiment of the Household Division marching to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This photo is ok in black and white, but with the iconic colors of the uniforms in this world-famous ceremony, it really should have been in color. London, England, UK

      My trips were all very short and very fast-paced. I was trying to see as much as possible in these new places, trying to cram as much into the trip as I could. I didn’t have time to spend in any one location, thus it was nearly impossible to finish the roll before it was time to move on. It also meant I didn’t have the luxury to go back and shoot a subject a second time with a different medium.

      This was very frustrating for me, and I couldn’t figure out what the best course of action was. Then, I was given a wonderful piece of advice. I was informed that it was possible to make black and white prints from color negatives! Wow! That had never occurred to me before as a possibility. It solved everything. From then on, all I had to do was buy color film, and if I had a shot that would work really well as a black and white, I could get it printed that way later on. Amazing! Silky water of a small brook, name unknown. This photo was originally from a color negative, but I printed it in the darkroom as a black and white. It works better than color due to the distracting sun spots, greens, and browns. Waterford, Maine

Silky water of a small brook, name unknown. This photo was originally from a color negative, but I printed it in the darkroom as a black and white. It works better than color due to the distracting sun spots, greens, and browns. Waterford, Maine

      This has been my method of shooting ever since, and with the advent of digital, it continues to this day. Digital cameras capture everything in color, but with a simple push of a button in Photoshop, we can turn the image to black and white. It’s easier than ever to find those great black and white images. However, I will be the first to admit that I still have my film camera and all my darkroom equipment. I like the idea that I could go out and shoot a roll and develop it myself if I wanted. There’s just something special about that process.

      I think it’s important to realize, too, that even though we can take color images and make them black and white, it’s not enough. We need to learn how to understand the nuances of black and white. That way, when we are in the field with our camera, we can see and inherently understand whether that image will really work as a black and white.

      In this digital age, we shouldn’t forget about the beauty of black and white imagery, nor of how it can connect us with our past. We should embrace the question - color versus black and white - and allow the challenge to help us grow as photographers and to more fully document our world through multiple mediums. Closeup view of Tower Bridge. This is one of my favorite true black and white images from my first trip to Great Britain. You can really see the texture of the stone and metalwork. London, England, UK

Closeup view of Tower Bridge. This is one of my favorite true black and white images from my first trip to Great Britain. You can really see the texture of the stone and metalwork. London, England, UK

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