We started with a world in black and white. From photos and TV to movies, everything was captured in shades of gray. 

Then, technology unlocked color in print and on screen, revolutionizing how we see and share the world. Now, we’re surrounded by imagery in full, vivid color—more vibrant than we ever imagined.

And yet, what was once a limitation has become a powerful creative choice, with black and white imagery making a strong comeback.

Stripping away color shifts the focus on light, texture, and composition, bringing back the timeless elegance of black and white photos. In a way, photography has come full circle.

However, processing and printing black and white photos requires a different approach than color. This article breaks down what you need to know to get the best results.

Why Printing Black and White Isn’t the Same as Color

Printing black and white photos isn’t just about removing color. There’s a distinct process that demands a sharp eye for contrast, shadows, and midtones. 

The lack of color forces you to define subjects creatively—details matter, and capturing deep blacks and bright highlights is essential. 

Unlike color images, black and white prints need careful planning from the start. The way you capture, edit and print black and white photos impacts the final result. You must use lighting, composition, and post-processing intentionally to capture the richest tonal depth and clarity in your black and white prints.

Black and white image of white orchid on black background with tip about the importance of contrast for monochrome prints

Top Tips for Achieving the Best Black and White Prints

Shoot in RAW

This is the first step to making printing black and white photos easier. Set your camera to RAW to retain as much image data as possible. This gives you greater flexibility in post-processing, allowing you to adjust contrast, sharpen details, and fine-tune tones without losing quality.

Preview in Black and White Mode

Yes, we told you to shoot images in full color by using RAW. However, many cameras allow you to shoot in black and white mode while still saving all the RAW color data. Use this mode as it will help you better visualize contrast, composition, and tonal range and take pictures better suited for black and white prints.

Think in Contrast

Heed our pro tip above! As there’s no color, contrast is your most important tool when it comes to defining and framing subjects. If you’re working with natural light, look for natural contrasts in your environment. Try capturing scenes where the light creates strong highlights and deep shadows. 

The type of image you’re shooting affects the level of contrast. Landscapes benefit from higher contrast, but portraits should have lower contrast to avoid harshness. 

Pro Tip!

Watch out for hotspots and reflections, they can distract from the subject.

Sharpen Selectively

Don’t over-sharpen every detail as this can introduce noise, especially in black and white prints. Instead, focus on edges, key details like eyes, and important textures.

If you’re using Photoshop, use Unsharp Mask with a small radius to avoid harsh edges or High Pass Filter for subtle, non-destructive sharpening. We think the High Pass Filter works better for black and white photography prints as it doesn’t exaggerate noise.

Think of viewing distance when sharpening. Black and white prints look amazing when enlarged and in such cases, only sharpen details that you want to highlight better to someone looking from a distance. 

For example, in a large landscape print, sharpen trees in the foreground but leave distant rocks softer for a natural look.

black and white photo of a stream with a rocky shore, cloudy skies, and a lighthouse in the distance

Leverage the HSL Panel

Changing a color image to black and white isn’t just about desaturation. Even in black and white, colors matter. The various colors transform into different shades of grey and the HSL (Hue, Saturation, and Luminance) panel in editing software gives you full control over how they appear.

You can adjust the luminance of each color to make subjects pop and improve contrast. For example, darkening blues can make skies more intense, while lightening reds can bring out skin tones. 

Prioritize Dynamic Range

When it comes to black and white photography, you should choose a camera with excellent dynamic range. This will help preserve details from the darkest blacks to the brightest whites. While resolution matters, especially for large prints, dynamic range has a bigger impact on tonal depth.

Choose the Right Paper

You can tweak your digital image as much as possible but without the right substrate, your black and white prints can look lackluster. Usually, glossy substrates work better for printing black and white photos as they enhance contrasts and blacks. However, matte substrates are popular too as they have less glare and softens the whole image.  

There are so many glossy and matte substrates to choose from. Don’t worry, we’ve got the key details you need below.

Pro Tip!

Use pigment-based inks for rich blacks and longevity. Of course, a professional printing company ensures this for you, so you don’t have to worry about ink quality.

The Best Materials for Show-Stopping Black and White Prints

An important factor to consider is Dmax. This value tells you how deep the blacks can be on a printing material. The higher the Dmax value, the richer and more dynamic your prints will look.

  • Baryta Paper – This is the OG paper for black and white prints and is a favorite among fine art photographers as it mimics traditional darkroom prints. Baryta paper delivers deep blacks, bright whites, and a stunning tonal range. 
  • Glossy Photo Paper – A budget-friendly alternative to Baryta paper, glossy paper has high Dmax so you’ll get deep blacks and sharp detail in your final prints. 
  • Matte Fine Art Paper – If you don’t want the glare that glossy paper offers, matte fine art paper offers a softer, more subdued look. This option does have a lower Dmax though.
  • ChromaLuxe Metal– The dye-sublimation process infuses the ink into the metal surface making for longer-lasting prints. The natural shine of a black and white metal print also enhances contrast and the silver undertones add depth to black and white prints.
  • TruLife Acrylic – Acrylic prints offer a sleek, glossy look. With TruLife Acrylic, you get great contrasts and deep blacks with less glare. Plus, it protects against UV rays and scratches.
black and white landscape print hung on the wall above a white couch in a clean, modern living room

Perfecting Your Black and White Prints with ArtisanHD

If you are serious about your black and white photography prints, take the time to research, refine your editing techniques, and partner with a printer that understands the nuances of black and white reproduction.

Printing black and white photos is an art in itself, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re fine-tuning your image or choosing the perfect print medium, ArtisanHD can help bring your vision to life.