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.
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Posted by hongkiat in Inspiration , at 10.12.09
Tags: black, photography, portraits, white |
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Comments
BebopDesigner October 12th, 2009
Brilliant collection! It’s taken me almost an hour… and still can’t take my eyes off this post. Love them all. Thanks for sharing
ReplyWoodstock real estate October 12th, 2009
These are fantastic! I would love to use a few for my real estate site!
Replytj_lifephoto October 12th, 2009
Solid collection. Thanks for the share.
ReplyLuis Lopez October 13th, 2009
Very exciting, really impressive, im always in love of B&W photos, its just colorless emotions that gives you a chilling good feeling in the spine.
Ohh I’m forgetting, the @crystaldream interview was published here:
http://www.conceptopixel.com/2009/09/entrevistando-a-hongkiat-lim-de-hongkiat-com.html
Thanks for being so cool Lim
ReplyKhristal October 13th, 2009
OMG!!!! These are totally awesome! I love every single last one of them… B&W’s, I miss the Dark Room at school, it was so amazing to see a picture appear, something that I created!!! My Love!!!! Great Job People, Great Job!!!!!
ReplyDinesh October 13th, 2009
Impressive work, really exciting.
ReplyRahul - Web Guru October 13th, 2009
Impressive collection of b&w photography collection.
Replysteppinout October 13th, 2009
Awesome post. I love BLACK & WHITE image. Thanks for sharing
Replyrozy October 13th, 2009
wonderful project
Replyvery nice BW
CreativePics October 13th, 2009
Very nice collection..
ReplyWebpageLottery October 13th, 2009
Mostly from flickr and deviantart, which are the two websites I visit often. Thank you.
ReplyTammy R. October 13th, 2009
beautiful…
Replyplywood chennai October 13th, 2009
The portraits are amazing and eye catching
ReplySemblance October 13th, 2009
Really gorgeous! ‘FANatic new’ and ‘Smoke on the moon’ is my favourites!
ReplyKevin October 13th, 2009
Some really beautiful portraits with a lot of character. I recently posted a similar article, you can find it here:
Replyhttp://theroxor.com/2009/10/06/30-awesome-black-white-portraits-from-deviantart/
goofydg1 October 13th, 2009
nice collection
ReplyMatt Bamberg October 14th, 2009
Brilliant work.
–Matt Bamberg, author, http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Secrets-Create-Winning-Photographs/dp/1598639021/
Replyfun games for kids October 14th, 2009
I am so lucky I didn’t miss this post. Really nice collection, I like the “Smoke on the moon”, well, I like all actually :)
ReplyDebby October 14th, 2009
Thank you for sharing. Each one special in its own way. Love looking at portraits and expressions.
in light and health,
ReplyDebby
Austin Bankruptcy Lawyer October 14th, 2009
There were some amazing photos in there. It’s amazing how the range of emotion can change in them.
Replydapixara photography October 14th, 2009
Very impressive, i always shot in BW.
Replypatrickv October 17th, 2009
very nice photography indeed
ReplyAltis Lo (Beaulife) October 19th, 2009
All of the best, none of the bad. These photographs are simply impressive.
[Delighting Lifestyle] Best Buy And Idea | Blog And Store.
ReplyFollow me on Twitter.
Metal roofing chennai October 21st, 2009
Nice photography collections
Replythemisfit October 22nd, 2009
wow, amazing images from some very talented photographers.
ReplyDave Mendea November 4th, 2009
B & W really makes you think. Thank you for sharing your gallery.
ReplyCheers!
Access Control System November 5th, 2009
The white-portraits-photography are looking very attractive and wonderful
Replyplywood india November 9th, 2009
Nice collection of white-portraits-photography, Greta task
ReplyWaleed A.kaiw Saleh November 15th, 2009
This is an art … !!
Replyfafa November 16th, 2009
gs
Replyfafa November 16th, 2009
dope dyed
Replyseo faqs November 21st, 2009
Nice photography collection thanks for sharing
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