A Timeless Passion

Ever since I began photographing—now going more than 20 years ago—my street photography has almost exclusively been in black and white. Whenever I host workshops, the most common question students ask is: “Why monochrome?” I always reply in jest with, “Because I ran out of colors!” But there is a deeper meaning behind this choice.

From Advertising to the Streets

My day-to-day professional work centers on advertising photography and portraiture, where color accuracy is crucial. Working with top art directors and major advertising agencies, nearly 99% of my commercial work demands vivid colors and precise detail.

In contrast, street photography offers me a chance to embrace monochromatic imagery—it’s an artistic release and a powerful storytelling tool.

Why Black and White Street Photography?

Cultural Influences: My earliest inspirations were legendary photographers like Andre Kertesz, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau, and, more recently, Vivian Maier. They all predominantly shot in black and white, and that aesthetic formed the foundation of how I see street photography.
Aesthetic Purity: By stripping away color, I can zero in on shapes, contrasts, and textures. It’s about creating images that feel timeless—less influenced by passing trends.
Visual Narrative: Subjects gain narrative power through the interplay of dark and light elements, which often conveys emotion more directly.

Embracing 2025 Tech: Leica Q3 and Leica M11-P

As we move into 2025, Leica continues to redefine the balance between heritage and innovation. Two of their newest releases, the Leica Q3 and the Leica M11-P, have caught my attention for street photography and beyond:

Leica Q3: Renowned for its full-frame sensor and compact design, the Q3’s improved autofocus system and high-resolution capabilities make it an ideal choice for quick, candid street shots—even in challenging lighting conditions.
Leica M11-P: Building on the already impressive M11, the M11-P refines dynamic range, shutter silence, and overall durability—qualities essential for a street photographer aiming for unobtrusive and high-fidelity captures.

Whether you’re shooting in color or black and white, these new Leica models bring expanded dynamic range and precise metering, enhancing the critical aspects of exposure, highlights, and shadows that matter so much to monochrome work.

The Power of Contrast in Black and White Street Photography

One often overlooked aspect of black and white photography is that there isn’t just a single style of monochrome. Think of it as “blacks and whites” rather than “black and white.” Each approach to contrast, grain, and lighting yields unique artistic expressions.

Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned my own digital black and white workflow. Whether in a darkroom back in the day or with Photoshop and Lightroom now, I’ve experimented with different presets and techniques to develop a signature look. Each photo can tell its own story through subtle adjustments in highlights, shadows, and mid-tones.

Learning from Masters and My Own Experience

A defining moment in my career was assisting the post-production on a project for James Nachtwey, one of the greatest war photographers ever to wield a camera. His attention to detail and mastery of black and white taught me the importance of precision in tonal ranges.

Since then, I’ve continued refining my own monochrome style. Today, I can get 90% of my desired look in just a few minutes, then finish off each photo with more detailed edits that bring out its unique narrative.

Shooting RAW for Maximum Creative Control

For my street photography, my Leica cameras are always set to RAW + JPG with the JPG preview in black and white. This setup lets me compose with a monochromatic mindset while keeping the full data-rich RAW files for post-processing.

Leica DNG files: They hold an abundance of dynamic range and detail, making them perfect for black and white conversions.
Proper Exposure: Although RAW files are forgiving, it’s still crucial to nail exposure in-camera—especially to preserve highlight detail.
Avoiding Compromise: Settling for an underexposed or overexposed RAW means losing potential detail. Think about all those moments you spent finding the perfect scene; it’s worth putting in the extra effort to nail exposure so you can create the most expressive monochrome images.

Looking Ahead: Timeless Art in a Modern World

In 2025, we are witnessing incredible strides in camera technology, from autofocus enhancements to sensor innovations. Yet, black and white street photography remains as timeless and relevant as ever. The Leica Q3 and M11-P are prime examples of how the classic Leica ethos continues to evolve, offering street photographers new tools to capture life’s fleeting moments with precision and grace.

Ultimately, black and white street photography isn’t about rejecting color; it’s about celebrating form, contrast, and emotion in their purest forms. As technology charges forward, the love for monochrome endures—sustaining a visual style that feels less affected by trends and more connected to the soul of photography.