A good portrait reveals something about its subject beyond the immediate appearance of the photograph. It includes layers of meaning and depth that portray the person as a whole, not just the superficial initial impression. Great portraits give us an idea of who the person really is, beyond what they’re trying to outwardly depict.
Portraits done in black and white add an additional layer of complexity to their subject. The choice to appear void of color says something about the person, though what it says varies greatly between people. Below are 100 stunning black and white portraits to give you inspiration in your designs. The range of subjects and what their portraits say about them run across the entire spectrum of the human experience, and you’re sure to find something that resonates.
More photography entries we’ve previously published:
- Urban decay photography
- Tilt-Shift Photography
- Photos of Paris
- Beautiful Night Photography
- Breathtaking Fireworks Photography
Complete showcase after jump.
Funeral
by ultramaryna
The Queen
by zemotion
black and white . bricks
by beautifullydestructed
I’ll tell you a story…
by alejka
Laughing with
by iNeedChemicalX
Bitter Sweet Symphony
by iNeedChemicalX
Black Desire
by UnaObsesion
FANatic new
by Nigrita
On my mind
by liquidsunnyday
Smoke on the moon
by azarova
The running man
by Mattrobbyattack
Lyrical
by moodychick
06
by bezglowa
I’m free
by dashka-takes-photos
Sarmata
by polska
Aye Aye C’ptain
by TFraser
Secret garden II
by electricbird
Ethiopia-Dassanetch
by marjanvanthielen
Close your eyes
by Kvikken
Dilan
by kentsiz
The last smoke…
by rocker-sanjog
In the cold light of morning
by DisposableMe
Black & White Portrait
by Lars Willem Veldkampf
Landon BP Black & White Portrait
by Steven Hart
Fisherman
by womanish
The Girl and the Baby
by OneOnOne Photography
Nathan
johnny nikon
Antonino
by sam cartelli
Nikkormat
by Studio d’Xavier
Old man with a cigarette
by LouisWu
Dancing in Bare Feet
by dfg photography
Turkish Market Seller
by keith
Jinny in Black and White
by TXphotoblog
Oh my friends you haven’t changed
by Ornelia Olivieri
liviachicca
by Ornelia Olivieri
TRP: Me and My Camera
by Studio d’Xavier
6/100 Duff
by Studio d’Xavier
Portrait of a Punk Girl
by Havovubu
Damian
by Burgunda
Passin’ the Time
by Joel Bedford
8037
by Dmitry Medvedev
Day 30
by Murraynewphotos
Untitled Girl Portrait
by tuturuuu
Untitled Portrait
by MOSH S.K
Gau
by USELESSNANO
Crying Girl
by LouisWu
I hate my obvious freckles
by nikki psych ward
Market stall worker
by StephenQi
Gioty
by paranenormalus
Stare
by violin-sonata
AH
by Krstnn Hrmnsn
“The Pigeon Man”
by Elliotphotos
Che Boris 2
by FrankZimper
Black and White
by mariemadeame
Binki
by Pichead
Black Swan
by zemotion
Black
by BittersweetDisease
Eye black and white
by Ashleigh07Art
Black and White
by KarinePaula
Another Amber
by Jibby!
Sophie in black and white
by Palindroom
Julia
by photomek
Hush now
by iNeedChemicalX
Black Lava
by CRISTYNNA-NECROPOLIS
New Hope Childrens Home
by nick barta
Black white portrait
by lafaette
Black and White
by Fragoline
Black and white
by lkopuz
White 2
by Coffeestain
Hearts turn black and white
by iNeedChemicalX
Menja lady, Sheka forest, Ethiopia
by ngari.norway
Freedom In Black And White 1
by kreestal
Untitled Portrait of a Girl
by Lisa Askew
Wisdom
by pastaboy sleeps
Warmth
by pastaboy sleeps
Et l’anarchie de julien
by salusmarc
Black Cherry
by waga27
GPS 8 Rose Black and White
by Rubarb
Black and White II
by Orzz
Summer BW
by larafairie
Movie Star Black and White
by Adam25Toronto
Girl in a white dress
by LesiaV
White + Black
by maliciousfaerie
JOE!
by Martin Quiroz Photography
Black and white
by infernalphotography
Deitra 04
by Jason Stair
Warm Place II
by SynthTwins
Beth – Silhouette
by larafairie
Zoe
by c1po
Jana
by LudovicMazet
Manu
by LudovicMazet
Sells Hamsters
by Roman Abramovich
Black and White
by lucaspagnuoli
Black
by johnwaters
Black and white
by zakharova
Paint it black and white
by krecique
Black Hole Sun
by berzerker-sk
Black Sun
by fatallook
The peter pan
by muszka
Black Math
by rabatz
About Author – Cameron Chapman is a professional Web and graphic designer with over 7 years of experience. She writes for a number of blogs, including her own, Cameron Chapman On Writing. She’s also the author of Internet Famous: A Practical Guide to Becoming an Online Celebrity.
Read more here:
Black and White Photography: 100 Pieces of Exquisite Portrait
