When you think of monochrome photos, you probably immediately think of 'black and white'. Black and white is the most obvious type of monochrome image. The first photographs ever taken were monochrome black and white photographs, and black and white remains popular today because removing the color from an image is a powerful way to encourage the viewer to think about detail and contrast.
But black and white isn't the only way to create a monochrome image. Color images, especially images that use only one color in different shades, shadows, and tones, are also monochromes.
To create a compelling monochrome color image, you first need to understand a little about color theory. Each specific color on the color wheel can be divided into three different color variables: hue, saturation, and brightness. The term 'hue' is used to describe a group of colors. For example, grass green, hunter green and pine green all belong in the 'green shade'.
Saturation can be seen from a shade of gray (gray has no color saturation) to maximum brightness, or the most vivid version of that color you can imagine. Colors with high saturation appear deeper and more intense, while colors with low saturation appear paler or more pastel.
A monochrome color image is based on a single hue, with variations in the brightness and saturation of that hue.
Brightness is similar, but that has to do with the amount of light an individual color emits. Brightness is measured from black to white, where white is pure light and black is the absence of light.
A monochrome color image is based on a single hue, with variations in the brightness and saturation of that hue. Those variations are found in the shades, shadows and tones of one individual color.
A hue is a color with white added, a shadow is a color with black added, and a tone is a color with gray added. In the image above, the shadows are purple, the highlights are purple, and the midtones are the tones.
Creating a monochrome color image is similar to creating a black and white image, in the sense that there are both light and shadow areas, with a range of tones (or midtones) in between.
Creating monochrome compositions can be a bit more challenging than black and white images, because you're looking for them in nature, rather than creating them in post-processing (which is what you do with a black and white image). In post-processing it usually doesn't look as natural as a monochrome shot you might find in nature (more on how to do this in post-processing later).
Where can you find monochrome locations
You actually see monochrome images more often in the environment than you would expect. For example, green is the dominant color in many natural landscapes such as forests and grasslands.
And at sunrise and sunset you'll find monochrome scenes that are warmer in color, like the sky on a misty evening just before the sun sinks below the horizon.
It may be even easier to find subjects in structures. A brick wall can only work shadows and shades of orange or red, and you will also be able to find similar colors on cars or a building.
Ideally, you'll see a subject that contains only shades, shadows, and tones of that primary color, although you can also effectively include small amounts of other colors (your photo won't be truly monochrome, but it can still be captivating).
Why photograph monochrome images
Colors can do a lot to evoke emotion, and monochrome shots do the same. Warm tones tend to be more uplifting and exciting than cooler tones, but both cool and warm colors, in a monochrome composition, can be soothing or calming.
Monochrome color schemes also have a cleaner, simpler feel. You probably know this instinctively based on your understanding of black and white photography: when you remove the color, you remove visual distractions, allowing your viewer to focus more on things like shape and texture.
This also applies to monochrome color compositions. An image that contains only a single hue is much less complex than one that contains multiple colors, even colors that work well together, such as complementary or analogous colors. If your goal is to simplify or create a calm atmosphere, choose a monochrome color scheme.
It is a creative idea to make a photo wall with photos that are only monochrome in color, for example with only portraits in a certain color or with holiday photos of architecture and/or landscape photos. Make sure that the wall on which the photos will be hung is painted in a matching background color. With the Sigma Sigmatex Superlatex Matt you are assured of a wall paint that not only covers beautifully, but is also practical to use. This matte wall paint provides a smooth, non-reflective finish, ideal for photography. The matte effect helps to minimize distracting reflections, giving your photos a soft and natural look.
Creating monochrome images in post-processing
Creating a monochrome image in post-processing is similar to creating a black and white image, but has an extra step. The procedure will vary slightly depending on the software being used.
In Adobe Photoshop, first open the image and select "image > mode > grayscale". This step converts the image to a simple black and white photo. You can adjust the levels or color channels to ensure that you have both true black and true white in your image. Without that step, you might end up with an image that looks a bit flat and has little dimension. Now go to image > mode > duotone. Choose "monotone" from the drop-down menu. Now select the shade from the color swatch.
You can still go back to the Levels tool to make minor adjustments to the shadows and highlights to ensure you have a nice range of tones, tones, and shadows when you print your photos.
Conclusion
Monochrome color schemes can be challenging, but the post-processing "cheat" is easy to implement. Try to find monochrome compositions in nature before creating them in post-production. While post-processing can help you create some really nice monochrome compositions, it's quite difficult to keep them from looking too artificial.
Plus, there's a lot to be said for looking for similar colors in the real world. It can encourage you to pay more attention to color, which will in turn improve your photography across the spectrum.
