Summary: Black and white photos capture the essence of a subject in a portrait. Digital photography opens the door to many options when making prints. Converting digital images to black and white may be your best option. Read the views of a working professionals for insight into the decision making process.

    It's a matter of taste.  Color photo prints or black and white prints?  There are many schools of thought about why black and white photos enjoy advantage over color photos.  

    Black and white prints are often called "artistic, documentary, insightful and even unique."  There are trends in photography that are often revived in an effort to stir the creative pot. Those dramatic Calvin Klein ads for fragrance and clothing in the mid-80's marked the return of black and white photographs. Created to spark conversation, the photos in the ads created a sensation.   Most of us can recall the classic black and white celebrity photos from the early days of Hollywood.

    Black and white was back, just like that!  Just as suddenly, black and white was the trend that consumers requested. Advertising photographers, wedding photographers and portrait photographers quickly embraced the dormant medium.

The absence of color, the return of style

    Designers, decorators and artists know the value of the color black. "The use of white and black in decorating can create a stunning and dramatic decor....to best take advantage of the combination of these two simple colors to maximize your decorating statement," explains a decorator. That same explanation makes the case for black and white photos today.

Making a case for black and white

    A case in point is the two photos displayed here.

The clash of color between the bright backlit grass and the subtle faces can distract from the subjects.

Converted to black and white, this portrait of siblings puts the visual emphasis clearly on the subjets.