The Power of Monochrome in Street Photography

Back in 2014, I had already been shooting street for a little over 16 years and I realised, sometimes the chaos of color was becoming a distraction. Coincidentally, it was also the time when a senior, world renowned photographer, Mr Dinesh Khanna (who I respect a lot) https://www.dineshkhanna.com/ mentioned to me that he could recognise my photographs, that I had developed a signature. This, instead of making me happy, made me uncomfortable. Was I becoming predictable? was I becoming a slave to my style? So I decided to embark on a year-long journey, stripping away the colors and focusing solely on the power of monochrome.

Why I Chose Monochrome for a Year

Why? Well, I realized that in the vibrant streets, specially that of Delhi and Varanasi, which was my home ground, every corner bursts with color, I was often overwhelmed. The reds, yellows, and blues danced around, making it difficult to sometimes zero in on the main subject of my frame. It was like trying to have a deep conversation in a crowded room where everyone’s shouting. I needed a way to silence the noise. That’s when I decided, I need a break from color and maybe look at black and white for inspiration. To find meaning in my work.

The Impact of Monochrome on My Vision

For one entire year, I shot exclusively in monochrome. It wasn’t easy at first—colors had been my comfort zone. But, as the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, I found myself seeing the world in a whole new light. Or rather, a whole new shades of grey. It was no longer about seeing a red saree against a red wall, a blue jacket against a blue billboard. It was about finding moments, refining my vision.

Without the distraction of color, I could focus on the simple elements of a scene: the play of light and shadow, the textures, the emotion in a fleeting glance. Monochrome photography taught me to pay attention to the subtleties—the small details that often get lost in a riot of colors. It was as if I had peeled back a layer of the city, revealing its soul in shades of black, white, and everything in between. It felt different, it was exciting, like getting a fresh pair of eyes.

By the end of the year, I had not only sharpened my vision but also developed a deeper appreciation for the power of simplicity. Monochrome allowed me to focus on what truly matters in a photograph—the story, the emotion, the moment!

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the visual noise around you, try stripping it all back. Embrace the power of monochrome. You might just discover a whole new way of seeing the world. Plus, as a bonus, you won’t have to worry about saturation and will end up with an experience to remember.

Do share if you liked this. Also I would recommend reading the post below.

Imperfect is often perfect