Black and white

Photography, Série: photographie concrète numérique - IMG_0253 29.01.2009, Roger Humbert

Série: photographie concrète numérique - IMG_0253 29.01.2009

Roger Humbert

Photography - 30 x 24 cm Photography - 11.8 x 9.4 inch

$2,571

Painting, Urban Lisa Black, Ziegler T

Urban Lisa Black

Ziegler T

Painting - 76 x 56 cm Painting - 29.9 x 22 inch

$168

Fine Art Drawings, La testa dell'eroe, Alexander Daniloff

La testa dell'eroe

Alexander Daniloff

Fine Art Drawings - 35 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.8 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$145

Photography, L'Escalier, Christophe Battifero

L'Escalier

Christophe Battifero

Photography - 50 x 75 x 0.5 cm Photography - 19.7 x 29.5 x 0.2 inch

$648

Photography, Marilyn on the Roof, Ed Feingersh

Marilyn on the Roof

Ed Feingersh

Photography - 51 x 41 cm Photography - 20.1 x 16.1 inch

$553

Photography, Tom Waits - Backstage - 87 - Derniers tirages, Pierre Terrasson

Tom Waits - Backstage - 87 - Derniers tirages

Pierre Terrasson

Photography - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$2,795

Photography, Memories IV, Victoria Dearing

Memories IV

Victoria Dearing

Photography - 27.5 x 44.5 x 0.3 cm Photography - 10.8 x 17.5 x 0.1 inch

$559

Photography, Memories III, Victoria Dearing

Memories III

Victoria Dearing

Photography - 27.5 x 44.5 x 0.3 cm Photography - 10.8 x 17.5 x 0.1 inch

$559

Photography, Dohaya, Luz

Dohaya

Luz

Photography - 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

$995

Photography, Mitchum, Bruce Pittman

Mitchum

Bruce Pittman

Photography - 99.1 x 66 x 5.1 cm Photography - 39 x 26 x 2 inch

$1,200

Photography, Homeric, Luz

Homeric

Luz

Photography - 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

$1,062

Photography, Grandma divers XVII, Alain Schroeder

Grandma divers XVII

Alain Schroeder

Photography - 120 x 80 x 0.1 cm Photography - 47.2 x 31.5 x 0 inch

$2,795

Photography, Tokyo pic nic I, Motohiko Hasui

Tokyo pic nic I

Motohiko Hasui

Photography - 45.5 x 56 x 0.3 cm Photography - 17.9 x 22 x 0.1 inch

$559

Photography, Oaxaca (Cocina), Paola Dávila

Oaxaca (Cocina)

Paola Dávila

Photography - 22.9 x 20.3 x 2.5 cm Photography - 9 x 8 x 1 inch

$1,200

Photography, Oaxaca, Paola Dávila

Oaxaca

Paola Dávila

Photography - 22.9 x 20.3 x 2.5 cm Photography - 9 x 8 x 1 inch

$1,200

Photography, Nout, Leah Desmousseaux

Nout

Leah Desmousseaux

Photography - 53 x 240 x 2 cm Photography - 20.9 x 94.5 x 0.8 inch

$2,236

Photography, La fin de l'hiver, Edouard Mazaré

La fin de l'hiver

Edouard Mazaré

Photography - 40 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0 inch

$1,398

Photography, The way, Christophe Battifero

The way

Christophe Battifero

Photography - 30 x 90 x 2 cm Photography - 11.8 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

$559

Photography, Banana leaves #15, Ed Reddon

Banana leaves #15

Ed Reddon

Photography - 21 x 14 x 0.2 cm Photography - 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.1 inch

$78

Photography, Banana leaves #6, Ed Reddon

Banana leaves #6

Ed Reddon

Photography - 21 x 14 x 0.2 cm Photography - 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.1 inch

$78

Photography, Banana leaves #5, Ed Reddon

Banana leaves #5

Ed Reddon

Photography - 21 x 14 x 0.2 cm Photography - 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.1 inch

$78

Photography, Banana leaves #4, Ed Reddon

Banana leaves #4

Ed Reddon

Photography - 21 x 14 x 0.2 cm Photography - 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.1 inch

$78

Photography, Man with Black Sand, Ricky Cohete

Man with Black Sand

Ricky Cohete

Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch

$2,222

Photography, Lamb 2, Laurent Gudin

Lamb 2

Laurent Gudin

Photography - 80 x 80 x 0.2 cm Photography - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.1 inch

$3,075

Print, Vanité, Pei-Ming Yan

Vanité

Pei-Ming Yan

Print - 78 x 119 x 1 cm Print - 30.7 x 46.9 x 0.4 inch

$3,801

Print, The infinite breath of Utopia #Gold, Thomas Mainardi

The infinite breath of Utopia #Gold

Thomas Mainardi

Print - 70 x 50 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 inch

$727

Photography, Garçon cuisine, Emmanuelle Barbaras

Garçon cuisine

Emmanuelle Barbaras

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$783

Photography, Homme intérieur, Emmanuelle Barbaras

Homme intérieur

Emmanuelle Barbaras

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$783

Photography, Saleuse, Emmanuelle Barbaras

Saleuse

Emmanuelle Barbaras

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$783

Photography, Enfants qui lisent, Emmanuelle Barbaras

Enfants qui lisent

Emmanuelle Barbaras

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$783

Photography, Homme qui fume, Emmanuelle Barbaras

Homme qui fume

Emmanuelle Barbaras

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$783

Photography, Teinturières, Emmanuelle Barbaras

Teinturières

Emmanuelle Barbaras

Photography - 40 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$783

Photography, La mécanicienne, Emmanuelle Barbaras

La mécanicienne

Emmanuelle Barbaras

Photography - 28 x 43 x 1 cm Photography - 11 x 16.9 x 0.4 inch

$783

Photography, Village Adrianna, Sophie Bassouls

Village Adrianna

Sophie Bassouls

Photography - 33 x 48 x 0.5 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.2 inch

$839

Photography, Mur 006, Sophie Bassouls

Mur 006

Sophie Bassouls

Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch

$839

Photography, Mur 008, Sophie Bassouls

Mur 008

Sophie Bassouls

Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch

$839

Photography, Mur 007, Sophie Bassouls

Mur 007

Sophie Bassouls

Photography - 48 x 33 x 1 cm Photography - 18.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch

$839

Photography, Mur 005, Sophie Bassouls

Mur 005

Sophie Bassouls

Photography - 33 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 13 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch

$839

Photography, Equilibrium, Olha Stepanian

Equilibrium

Olha Stepanian

Photography - 61 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 24 x 24 x 0.1 inch

$1,390

Photography, Untitled XXIV. From the Series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXIV. From the Series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XXIII. From the Series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXIII. From the Series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XIV. From the series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XIV. From the series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XI. From the series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XI. From the series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Making a circle, Olha Stepanian

Making a circle

Olha Stepanian

Photography - 61 x 61 cm Photography - 24 x 24 inch

$1,350

Photography, Eye in the dark, Norman Reedus

Eye in the dark

Norman Reedus

Photography - 20.32 x 25.4 x 1 cm Photography - 8 x 10 x 0.4 inch

$1,677

Photography, Equilibrium 2, Olha Stepanian

Equilibrium 2

Olha Stepanian

Photography - 61 x 61 cm Photography - 24 x 24 inch

$1,350

Photography, Untitled XXXVIII From the Series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXXVIII From the Series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XXXVI. From the Series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXXVI. From the Series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XXXV. From the series chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXXV. From the series chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XXXI. From the Series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXXI. From the Series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XXVIII. From the series chiromorph, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXVIII. From the series chiromorph

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Hombre en mascara, Ricky Cohete

Hombre en mascara

Ricky Cohete

Photography - 76.2 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 30 x 20 x 0.1 inch

$2,222

Photography, Untitled XXII. From the series chiromorph, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XXII. From the series chiromorph

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled XII. From the series chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled XII. From the series chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled X. From the series chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled X. From the series chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Droit dans les yeux, Valentin Pacaut

Droit dans les yeux

Valentin Pacaut

Photography - 60 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$950

Photography, Untitled IX. From the series chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled IX. From the series chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled VIII. From the series chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled VIII. From the series chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Untitled VII. From the series chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled VII. From the series chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Photography, Karl Largerfield soirée Kenzo, Arnaud Baumann

Karl Largerfield soirée Kenzo

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 16 x 24 x 0.1 cm Photography - 6.3 x 9.4 x 0 inch

$335

Photography, Migration de zèbres, Valentin Pacaut

Migration de zèbres

Valentin Pacaut

Photography - 50 x 75 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.7 x 29.5 x 0.1 inch

$1,118

Photography, Untitled IV. From the Series Chiromorphose, Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Untitled IV. From the Series Chiromorphose

Nico Baixas / Gos-com-fuig

Photography - 49.8 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,250

Painting, Ayez P.D.N., Akiza

Ayez P.D.N.

Akiza

Painting - 430 x 200 x 1 cm Painting - 169.3 x 78.7 x 0.4 inch

$4,696

Photography, Jeux d'enfants à Mongo, Tchad, José Nicolas

Jeux d'enfants à Mongo, Tchad

José Nicolas

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$447

Photography, Miguel y la Rosa Two, Ricky Cohete

Miguel y la Rosa Two

Ricky Cohete

Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch

$4,000

Photography, Rosas, Ricky Cohete

Rosas

Ricky Cohete

Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch

$4,000

Photography, Miguel, Ricky Cohete

Miguel

Ricky Cohete

Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.1 inch

$4,000

Photography, Blackfingers, Edgar Nabla

Blackfingers

Edgar Nabla

Photography - 80 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

$1,789

Painting, Attente, Jean-Louis Mendrisse

Attente

Jean-Louis Mendrisse

Painting - 60 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$4,696

Photography, Serge visant au F2 Nikon, derniers tirages !, Pierre Terrasson

Serge visant au F2 Nikon, derniers tirages !

Pierre Terrasson

Photography - 50 x 40 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.7 inch

$2,795

Painting, Tiki Bar, Alain Bertrand

Tiki Bar

Alain Bertrand

Painting - 89 x 116 x 3 cm Painting - 35 x 45.7 x 1.2 inch

$11,180

Photography, Sans titre, Julien Drogoul

Sans titre

Julien Drogoul

Photography - 90 x 60 x 0.3 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,006

Fine Art Drawings, The Golden Lane, Kirill Postovit

The Golden Lane

Kirill Postovit

Fine Art Drawings - 18 x 13 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 7.1 x 5.1 x 0 inch

$190

Photography, Marguerite Duras, Arnaud Baumann

Marguerite Duras

Arnaud Baumann

Photography - 20 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0 inch

$280

Photography, Toni Garrn, Portrait Intervened by the artists., Hunter & Gatti

Toni Garrn, Portrait Intervened by the artists.

Hunter & Gatti

Photography - 187.9 x 132 x 3 cm Photography - 74 x 52 x 1.2 inch

$7,500

Photography, Sillage #4, Cody Choi

Sillage #4

Cody Choi

Photography - 101.6 x 76.2 x 0.1 cm Photography - 40 x 30 x 0 inch

$601

Photography, Tracks IV, Bruno Charoy

Tracks IV

Bruno Charoy

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$894

Photography, Ragazzo veneziano, Yves Bordes Lapeyre

Ragazzo veneziano

Yves Bordes Lapeyre

Photography - 60 x 90 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

$604

Photography, Brainstorming Trees, Gonçalo Martins

Brainstorming Trees

Gonçalo Martins

Photography - 29 x 29 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.4 x 11.4 x 0 inch

$179

Painting, Traces 18, Ditno 83

Traces 18

Ditno 83

Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

$727

Photography, Muguet-racine, Sébastien Chauchot

Muguet-racine

Sébastien Chauchot

Photography - 40 x 35 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

$447

Print, Trio Musical, Jean-Louis Toutain

Trio Musical

Jean-Louis Toutain

Print - 58 x 76 cm Print - 22.8 x 29.9 inch

$839

Sculpture, Coq expressif, Bruno Lemée

Coq expressif

Bruno Lemée

Sculpture - 50 x 35 x 60 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 13.8 x 23.6 inch

$1,901

Photography, Les brodeuses, Marie Dorigny

Les brodeuses

Marie Dorigny

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$559

Photography, La glaneuse, Marie Dorigny

La glaneuse

Marie Dorigny

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$559

Photography, Femmes en exil, Marie Dorigny

Femmes en exil

Marie Dorigny

Photography - 45 x 65 x 0.1 cm Photography - 17.7 x 25.6 x 0 inch

$1,342

Photography, La Glaneuse, Marie Dorigny

La Glaneuse

Marie Dorigny

Photography - 38 x 58 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15 x 22.8 x 0 inch

$1,565

Photography, Man standing in front of house, Ken Heyman

Man standing in front of house

Ken Heyman

Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

$4,000

Photography, Woman holding out hand, Ken Heyman

Woman holding out hand

Ken Heyman

Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

$4,000

Photography, Woman reading, Ken Heyman

Woman reading

Ken Heyman

Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

$4,000

Photography, Children in boat, Ken Heyman

Children in boat

Ken Heyman

Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

$4,000

Photography, Busy street, Ken Heyman

Busy street

Ken Heyman

Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

$4,000

Photography, Surreal cemetary, Ken Heyman

Surreal cemetary

Ken Heyman

Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 x 1.3 cm Photography - 11 x 14 x 0.5 inch

$4,000

Black and white

Before the arrival of photography – with the exception of some etchings and lithographs – all the images we consumed were in colour. Quite simply, because no one would ever have thought to do anything else – why paint in black and white when colour was so readily available?

Yet despite this, today many photographers still choose to work in black and white – such as Pauline Théon, Kadir Von Lohuizen or Joh Lowenstein – even though their photos are taken in colour by the camera itself. Is the black and white trend a fleeting effect of fashion, or a symbolic return to the roots of the photography movement? Black and white photography has something that colour photos, despite recent innovations and the extraordinary quality of images today, cannot quite access. The use of black and white lends significant force to the composition: the contrasts, the shadows and the figures all stand out more strongly. People simply feel differently when faced with a colour photo versus a black and white image.

Colour is a distraction of sorts, a disturbance: colour is a nuisance.

And yet, some photographers still prefer colour to black and white, whilst others merge touches of colour with otherwise monochrome compositions. But in the end, all agree that both styles impose a totally different way of looking at a photo: from researching the shot to post production work, when artists develop or retouch the image. The use of colour is therefore something of a process in its own right, relating to two different ways of viewing the world and showing it others. The question, then, is what is being told, and why is it being in the way that it is?

The symbolic value of putting black and white together is a good starting point for reflecting on the fascination that they generate even today. There could not be a more fascinating, more striking ambivalence than when black, the 'colour' of darkness and burnt coal, considered a non-colour, is placed alongside white – representing light, and the result of all the colours merged together.

The problem faced by photographers today is that black and white still carry strong connotations of the past, of an era before the popularisation of colour and its massive cultural recovery amongst the press and photo journalists. In fact, it is rare now that contemporary subjects are photographed in colour, but we still associate black and white images with a retro feel.  

So what does contemporary art have to say about it all? Discover Artsper's selection of black and white works: on the border of past and present, of the real and the imaginary… let us guide you!

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