Color vs. Black & White: Making the Mood Work for You
Color vs. Black & White: Making the Mood Work for You
One of my ongoing goals as a photographer is to capture a wider range of faces—especially when it comes to male portraiture.
When I connected with Fayz for this creative test shoot, I knew right away he had a look that was unique, striking, and full of character. His rich dark skin tone, his locs, and his presence all offered so much depth to explore through the lens.
This session was intentionally open-ended: no rigid plan, no strict mood board—just a creative playground.
Fayz brought his own wardrobe, and we built the session organically based on what he brought and how each look inspired a different energy.
Incorporating Color to Build Impact
For the first part of the shoot, I chose a rich red backdrop. I’ve always loved the way dark skin tones interact with deep, saturated colours—and red, in particular, felt powerful and energetic against Fayz’s complexion and hair.
The red backdrop created:
A sense of boldness and authority
Demanded the viewer’s attention
Strong visual tension and vibrancy
Lighting was crucial here: keeping the highlights controlled so his skin retained its richness, while allowing the red to glow without overpowering him.
Transitioning to Black and White: Mood Over Color
For the second half of the session, I switched to a neutral backdrop. Later, in post-production, I decided to convert many of these images to black and white.
This choice completely shifted the mood—where the red background emphasized energy, the black and white edits emphasized:
Texture in Fayz’s skin, hair, and clothing
Emotion and expression
The natural contrast between light and shadow without the "noise" of color
In black and white, there’s no distraction—the image either holds you, or it doesn’t.
How I Decide Between Color and Black & White
Every image tells you what it wants to be. Here's the general guide I follow when deciding:
Use Color When:
You want to evoke mood, boldness, or brand-specific tones
The colors themselves play an important role in storytelling
The emotional tone is heightened by saturation and vibrancy
Go Black & White When:
You want to strip the image down to emotion, light, and form
The power of the photograph lies in expression, structure, or contrast
You want timelessness, simplicity, or a more editorial, introspective feel
Neither approach is "better"—it’s about listening to the image and choosing the treatment that makes its story clearest.
This shoot was a reminder of why it's so important to make space for creative freedom—sessions where the goal isn’t to deliver for a client, but simply to create, explore, and push your craft further.
Some of my favourite work comes from shoots where I let go of expectations and simply respond to the subject, the light, and the moment.
Working with Fayz allowed me to do just that—and resulted in a collection of portraits that feel bold, emotional, and authentic.
