Why I’m Ditching Colour Film for the Timeless Beauty of Black-and-White

There’s something timeless and magical about black-and-white photography. It strips away the distractions of colour and focuses on the essence of the image—light, shadow, texture, and emotion. Over the years, I’ve experimented with colour and black-and-white films, but I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to the latter. Moving forward, I’ve decided to shoot exclusively in black and white. Here’s why.

My Go-To Film: Ilford HP5+ 400

At the heart of my love for black-and-white photography is Ilford HP5+ 400. This film has become my absolute favourite. Its versatility, grain structure, and tonal range make it a joy to work with. Whether I shoot portraits, street photography, or landscapes, HP5+ consistently delivers stunning results. There’s a particular character to it—a balance of sharpness and grain—that I can’t get enough of.

The Aesthetic Appeal

One of the main reasons I love Ilford HP5+ 400 is how it looks. The way it renders light and shadow is simply beautiful. The deep blacks, crisp whites, and smooth mid-tones create a timeless aesthetic that feels classic and modern. It’s a film that adds depth and mood to every shot, and I find myself constantly drawn to its unique visual language.

Pushing for Contrast and Light

Another reason I adore black-and-white film is the flexibility it offers. With HP5+, I can push the film to higher ISOs to achieve more contrast and better performance in low-light situations. Pushing the film gives me more creative control and adds a dramatic, gritty quality to the images. This technique is much harder to replicate with colour film, and it’s one of the reasons I find black-and-white so rewarding.

Effortless Editing in Post-Processing

Editing a black-and-white film is a breeze compared to colour film. With colour, I often struggle to get the tones just right. Balancing hues, saturation, and temperature can feel like a never-ending battle, and I rarely end up with results that truly satisfy me. But with black-and-white, the process is so much simpler. I can focus on adjusting contrast, brightness, and grain without worrying about colour casts or mismatched tones. It’s a more straightforward and enjoyable editing experience.

Freedom from Color

One of the most liberating aspects of shooting black-and-white films is that I don’t have to rely on colour to make an image work. Sometimes, colour can be distracting or overwhelming, distracting attention from the subject or composition. Black-and-white makes me think more critically about light, shape, and texture. It’s a purer form of photography and challenges me to see the world differently.

Superior Dynamic Range

Most black-and-white films, including HP5+, have a much better dynamic range than colour films. This means I can capture more detail in shadows and highlights, even in challenging lighting conditions. Retaining detail across a wide range of tones is a huge advantage, especially when shooting in high-contrast environments. It gives me more leeway to experiment and push the limits of my creativity.

More Leeway in Shooting

Speaking of leeway, I’ve found that black-and-white film is far more forgiving than colour film. Whether it’s exposure, lighting, or composition, I feel I have more room to make mistakes and still end up with a usable image. This flexibility makes shooting less stressful and enjoyable, allowing me to focus on the creative process rather than technical perfection.

A Commitment to Black and White

Given all these reasons, I’ve decided to embrace black-and-white photography fully. I’ll be shooting exclusively with black-and-white films like Ilford HP5+ 400, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. As for the colour films I have left, I’ll use them up, but they’ll mark the end of an era for me.

Cost-Effective Creativity

Finally, let’s talk about cost. Black-and-white films are generally much cheaper than colour films, which is a huge bonus for someone who shoots as much as I do. Not only do I get to enjoy the creative benefits of black-and-white photography, but I also save money in the process. It’s a win-win situation.

Conclusion

The black-and-white film has captured my heart in a way that colour film never could. From the timeless aesthetic of Ilford HP5+ 400 to the simplicity of editing and the creative freedom it offers, black-and-white photography feels like the perfect fit for me. If you’ve never tried shooting black-and-white films, I highly recommend it. You might fall in love with it, too.

Here’s to many more rolls of HP5+ and the endless possibilities of black-and-white photography!