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.