Black & white - love it or hate it?

I am a very non mainstream model, with lots of colour, but have a real passion for b&w - I love the shadows and angles that you don't get with full colour, helmut newton is a prime example...what do photographers prefer behind the lens?

I love black and white. Even though I'm a huge fan of colour, I studied lots of Man Ray photos at Uni and really loved the contrast in his work. I'm a huge fan of contrast, and although as an artist I love colour contrast, his version of B/W contrast in his photos was amazing.

I just figure, you need to decide whether line or colour is most important in a photo. If colour takes precedent, leave the photo in colour. But if the line and contrast is dramatic enough, put it into black and white. Just my personal opinion.

I personally prefer to shoot using black and white film. Especially when doing portraits as i believe it brings out the character and emotion of the subject better then colour.
A beautiful image caught on black and white film, then developed and printed on silver gelatin photographic paper for me is unbeatable.
Here is an example of a wonderful photographer who produces great B&W photo's. www.flickr.com/photos/edwardolive/5604583368/in/photostream/

When I used to shoot on film I always used black and white stock, though now with the advent of digital I shoot in colour but a lot of my favourite images I have taken are in b&w including the ones that got my daughter her modelling contract when she was around 9.

I tend to use whatever is suitable for the project, as many of my images are thematic/fantasy.
I am currently planning a set of images in a "Film Noir" style, which will all be B&W.
B&W has a look all of it's own, and requires a good deal of fore thought to make it work...
Rarely does an image that is shot with colour in mind, then converted to B&W as an after thought actually work.

Although that is exactly what many photographers seem to be doing.

Plan your shoot with the result in mind....

Hi, thank you so much for your comments, they have really helped, the one regarding plan for it to be b&w in advance, and also taking note of how important lines are, really got me thinking! Also thank you for the Edward Olive link, love it

All the best,

Enola x

I think B & W helps the viewer to concentrate on the image.However I think for that reason it is not as forgiving to average images.

Steve

I like b&w. Gives the photos a better effect. I also like the b&w theme with a hint of colour.