What does it take to create an award-winning black and white image? To find out, we asked our 2023 Mono Awards judges for their tips on creating compelling black and white imagery.
Covering everything from understanding tone, to asking ourselves what it is we are trying to say with our image-making, these tips should put you in good stead for a winning entry in the 2024 edition of The Mono Awards presented by Synology.
Places category winner, Mark Ditcham, Holding. This shot was taken during a sunrise shoot in a strip of remnant bushland amongst farming properties just east of Geraldton in Western Australia. This particular area is full of Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea spp), one of my favourite subjects to photograph. These trees are full of character and I like to hunt for ones with a human semblance. I found this dead and broken-down tree in a previously unexplored area of the bushland and was instantly drawn to its shape and form. The coppery colours of the internal structure of the trunk were beautiful, but I knew that processing it as a black and white image would be far more compelling.
Matt Palmer
The Black and White images that rise to the top for me are those that have a strong story or point of view, and where the use of black and white and absence of colour amplifies that message, rather than muting it.
Highlights give energy to black and white images, so it's important to use them to move the viewer the way the photographer wants them to. Whether it's to draw their eye to the most important aspect of a photograph, or to help distract from and build mystery within the shadows.
It can be tempting to convert an amazing colour image to black and white and leave as is. However, shifting to black and white requires a ground-up approach, a different mindset, and a renewed focus on strong forms and tone. Try editing the file as a colour image and then converting to black and white, then restarting from scratch and editing purely in black and white and comparing for yourself.
2023 Mono Awards Places category, 3rd place, Adrian Donoghue, Light and Dark.
Alex Cearns OAM
Careful composition and thoughtful use of contrast in a black and white images creates striking visual impact and allows the viewer's eye to be drawn directly to the subject.
The absence of colour in black and white images forces the photographer to focus on textures, shapes, and patterns, adding depth and dimension to the image.
An impressive black and white photograph often evokes a timeless and nostalgic feeling, emphasising the power of capturing emotions and storytelling through monochromatic tones.
Keep your image simple, and try to identify the main subject of your image and make it obvious - correctly exposed for what it is and sharp.
Assess if your image is best suited for black and white or colour, as not all subjects look best in black and white.
It helps to also ask yourself two important questions - does your image have character or intrigue, as these are the elements that make one stand out, and is the image truly original? As it really needs to be in order to win an award.
2023 Mono Awards People category runner-up, Jessica Hromas. Polly Cutmore. I first met Gomerio elder, leader and activist Maria Polly Cutmore in 2020, (affectionately called Polly) when I went to Moree to do a story on the Moree Baths and Swimming Pool for Guardian Australia. This image was taken at the back door of Polly's house. She was standing just inside and the light was soft and natural. I remember thinking her hair looked a bit like Marilyn Monroe's or a 50's beauty queen. Her beautiful dark skin contrasted so exquisitely with her fine light hair.
William Long
Learn to see in B&W. One particular neat trick in today’s digital age is to set your camera’s picture control to Monochrome, so in both playback and preview you’ll see your image in B&W, and if you’re shooting RAW and JPEG, the RAW will contain all of the image’s information and the JPEG will be B&W.
The best part of course is seeing the preview in B&W. Personally though, I would always capture in RAW so you have all the possible digital information available for post production.
2023 Mono Awards Animals category, runner-up, Anthony Brown, Tails of the sea. This image was taken on a whale watching boat on the Gold Coast during a heat run. This is when males fight for the attention of a female. Here, two males were continuously breaching on top of each other. This particular shot was captured just after the first whale had breached and caused the huge splash. Simultaneously, the second whale raised its tail making it look like it had caused the huge splash. Of my thousands of whale breaching images I have taken over the years, this one instantly stood out. I feel it captures the raw power of the whales in that moment, and the moody skies make the texture of the water stand out too. Being on a boat in rough seas and nailing focus is difficult, but everything came together for this one. The original colour image was almost all black and white tones, which only added to the drama of the image.
Chris Budgeon
In the Animals category, I loved images that projected a graceful and whimsical side to animals, which contrasted nicely with those projecting power and majesty within the animal kingdom.
In the Places category I was drawn to images that evoked within me a visceral impression of what it might actually feel like to be present at that very moment.
In the People category, it's a hard sensation to explain, but I try to let images speak to me in an unfiltered way, allowing my reponses to be genuinely open to authenticity, emotion, connection and beauty.
2023 Mono Awards Places category, runner-up, Janusz Molinski, Sunset silhouettes at Noosa Main Beach. My photograph of the silhouettes at sunset was captured whilst on holiday this year on the Sunshine Coast near Noosa Heads.Whilst approaching the Main Beach at Noosa late one afternoon, I was inspired by the filtered light streaming through the pandanus trees but more significantly, light sea mist forming over the beach that helped create an impressive layered back-lit visual snapshot of Australian beach life. There was an incredible array of people engaged with each other to the point that one can almost see the intensity of conversations people were having. Whilst the original colour version was already a lovely photograph, the black and white conversion accentuated the drama in the image creating the beautiful layered multi-toned silhouettes.
Dan Rule and Justine Ellis
Capturing mood and atmosphere is more important than accuracy.
Think hard about what you’re photograph is saying about the world, and about your position in the world as the photographer.
Avoid cliche and pastiche. If you’re making a replica of an image you’ve seen before, make sure you’re doing it consciously and with critical intent.
2023 People category Winner, Tebani Slade. When I captured this shot I was living in Spain in the coastal town of Sitges. I would often walk along the beachfront promenade late in the afternoons with my camera. On this day, I came across this man who was throwing bubbles to entertain children while their parents sat and watched.There’s something magical about bubbles - they bring so much joy. As the children danced and jumped to try and pop the bubbles, I wanted to capture a shot just like this. It was simply a matter of waiting for the right juxtaposition. It was a bleak and dull day, making it perfect for a black and white image.
Meg Hewitt
In order to capture the most amount of detail you need to first make a flat image and then increase the contrast.
A great portrait is about the connection with the subject beyond anything else.
When editing down your selection, use your feelings, don’t question what makes you feel something in your body.
If you feel like you are too close to your images, imagine someone else took them and this is the first time you have encountered the subject.
