Beautiful Black and White

This is a very creative shot! It's a fantastic interpretation of the brief, making the most of contrast, exposure and detail, all of which work together in perfect balance. The eye is always drawn to the brightest area of the frame, so the light on the subject's face really pulls us in and keeps up engaged. Well done!

What an atmospheric scene. We love the lighting and contrast. It would have been tempting to increase the contrast further, but the restraint pays off here – the tones are natural and the detail, delicate. A great landscape shot that works perfectly in black and white. Congratulations.

What a lovely, dramatic monochrome shot! The high-key feel really lends an unusual look to this exterior scene, almost making it look like a studio portrait. The position of the subject, forming a chain with the other verticals in the frame, along with the hazy figures in the background really makes an eye-catching composition. Beautifully exposed.

There are bags of atmosphere in this shot! It's a chaotic scene perfectly rendered in black and white. The lack of colour enables us to focus on the tonal contrasts and energy of the subject matter, while the composition is classic and effective. Well done for seeing potential in the scene.

This is a classic black and white architectural shot. The contrast of bright and dark creates a lovely gradient across the frame and the human figure through the window adds a lovely stroke of intrigue. It's a well-thought-out composition that makes the most of the strengths of black and white for enhancing graphic properties. Nicely done.

If you're a fan of film noir, then you'll understand why we appreciate this shot. The lighting is beautiful and the exposure is nicely controlled, allowing us to focus on the lone figure. It's a great study of light and shadow which is ideal for monochrome treatment.

Architecture made up a large percentage of the subjects for this round. It's easy to understand why looking at this shot. The lines and curves all make for a graphical composition while the harsh lighting gives the scene a futuristic atmosphere, which suits the building style perfectly.

Arcs, lines and spirals all work well in black and white due to the focus on form rather than colour. This shot perfectly demonstrates the zone system and features tones throughout the range, giving it a natural-yet-striking contrast. A great example of where simplicity pays off well.

This is a stunning graphical black and white study. The leading line, milky water, subtle reflection and striking silhouette make this frame leap off the page or screen and create a lovely feeling of tranquility and contemplation. It's a great use of light and shadow and demonstrates excellent exposure control. Nicely put together.

This is a mind-boggling scene. The sand dunes look like rippled in water or waves in a sheet of material. The choice to use a long lens is spot-on as it nicely compresses perspective and brings the background closer to the trees. A unique shot of a very well-photographed location.

There is a timeless quality to this shot that gives it an almost painterly feel. The exposure adds to the abstract quality and while we know what the subject is, there is just enough blur to give it a unique style. A great idea and a different take on the brief for this round.

What a stunningly graphical interior shot. One of the biggest strengths of black and white photography is its ability to allow us to focus on shape and form. This extends to reflections, as is perfectly demonstrated here. The frame is perfectly divided and the exposure is well-placed to create impact.

This is a great architectural image and one perfectly suited to black and white. It has a wonderful depth, but can also appear like a cardboard cutout on inspection, adding a layer of abstraction. The tones are beautifully balanced and the exposure is well-controlled. A very pleasing monochrome study.

It's nice to see some street photography elements this round. This shot jumped out at us for its central composition and humorous theme. There is a good range of contrast while all of the main tones have been preserved nicely. It's a well-spotted moment and one that is expertly framed. Well done.

This is a beautifully simple monchrome portrait shot. The lighting perfectly compliments the subject, while the background receives just enough illumination to be visible, yet unintrusive. The skins tones are gorgeously rendered and the exposure well managed. A classic portrait captured making full use of the benefits of black and white imaging.