The Art of Black & White Photography
Stripping away color to focus purely on emotion, texture, and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow in every frame.
Long time no see. A shot from five years ago during covid, when the streets were quiet and my VW Beetle and I were just exploring the architectural beauty of Mumbai.
An impromptu meet turns into a surreal shoot. This black and white video captures the edgy and powerful look we created with Sweta Basak.
I'm sure Tommy Hilfiger would sign her in a minute. Deepti Gujral killing it in this classic black and white fashion shot, captured on Kodak T-Max film.
Being quiet and observing has been my top talent lately. A beautiful, pensive black and white portrait that uses soft light and a simple background.
A full-length version of the previous shot, this black and white image has a quiet, contemplative mood, enhanced by the clean lines of the architecture.
A joyful and candid black and white moment. The high-contrast lighting and genuine smile make this a beautiful, timeless lifestyle shot.
I love capturing the shared human experience. Here, classical dancer Arundhati Srinivasan is captured mid-practice in her home, telling a story of passion and dedication.
Another moment from my documentary series with Arundhati. The black and white format adds a timeless, classic feel to her dance form.
A moment of reverence and preparation. This series was about capturing the artist in her personal space, surrounded by her life and her art.
A quiet, silhouetted portrait of the dancer against the window, creating a sense of peace and anticipation before her practice.
About The Art of Black & White
When I shoot in monochrome, I am not simply desaturating a digital file. I actively light the set—whether for a high-fashion editorial or a candid lifestyle portrait—specifically for the way contrast, skin texture, and geometry will render without color. This technique allows us to strip away visual noise and focus entirely on the subject’s expression and the raw shape of the scene, creating images that feel cinematic and timeless.
My approach to black and white photography is rooted in cinematic tradition. By removing the distraction of color, we get to the core of the subject. It is about the curve of a silhouette, the intensity in an eye, and the interplay between light and darkness that reveals true character. I often use high-contrast lighting techniques to build a moody aesthetic that color digital files sometimes struggle to convey.
This collection spans several different approaches. In my documentary-style series, such as the work with classical dancer Arundhati Srinivasan, the lack of color emphasizes the dedication and the quiet energy of the artist's personal space. Contrast this with my fashion shoots, like the sharp, edgy portraits of Deepti Gujral or the automotive studies involving my VW Beetle on the streets of Mumbai. In these, the monochrome format highlights the texture of the materials and the clean lines of the design.
Whether we are working in my Tardeo studio or on location, the goal is to create a photograph that functions as a piece of art rather than a simple snapshot. This style works exceptionally well for portfolios that need to stand out from the noise of saturated, over-edited social media feeds. If you are looking for a portrait session that moves beyond the conventional and captures something raw, honest, and enduring, let us discuss how we can build your story in monochrome.
Vikram Bawa
I'm Vikram. I believe that sometimes you need to take away the noise to see the real story, which is why I am deeply drawn to the monochromatic world. Whether it is a high-fashion editorial or an intimate, quiet portrait, my focus is always on capturing the raw human emotion that reveals itself in black and white.
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