Introduction

Black and white is the heritage of photography. Until the middle of the twentieth century it was the only way to create a photographic image –any colouring that was done was put on by hand. Producing black-and-white images from film is an easier process than many might think. It is always rewarding though it may take a lifetime to master. Many people learned their photography through simple manual cameras and home-processed black-and-white images. Certain educational institutions are re-establishing traditional wet darkrooms for black and white because of demands from the ‘digital generation’ to explore the craft basis of black-and-white photography. The best black-and-white images are those that let its extra degree of abstraction get to the core of the subject, to reveal something deep without the distracting superficial attractiveness of colour. Photographers’ monographs in quality book form run a close second but nothing beats the experience of standing in front of a fine print created by a master black-and-white photographer.