The Black & White Flavor

There’s something timeless about black and white film. It strips a photo down to its essentials—light, shadow, texture, and emotion. That simplicity is what first drew me in.

When I shoot in black and white, the story takes center stage. Without the distraction of color, there’s a clarity in the composition. You see the person, the moment, the meaning—without noise. That’s the kind of honesty I aim for in my work.

My go-to film is Kodak Tri-X 400. It has a classic look, just the right amount of grain, and a beautiful tonal range that brings out the soul of an image. I especially enjoy push processing it one to two stops—it adds contrast and character that make the images pop, while still holding onto that beautiful texture I love.

Black and white film hits different than digital. Digital feels too clean, too perfect. Film has grit. It breathes. There’s a rawness to it, an authenticity, and that’s what keeps me coming back.

Shooting black and white film forces me to slow down, to be intentional with every frame. And in doing so, I’ve found a more honest way to capture people and moments.