How a Daily Photo Habit is Changing the Way I See

I’ve been doing my photo challenge for three weeks now, and it’s fascinating to realize how much it’s shifting the way I see the world. More and more, I find myself noticing my surroundings in shades of black, white, and grey, and this shift is deeply influencing how I compose my images.

Early on, I became aware that I was searching for a black-and-white style I really liked. Since then, I’ve been experimenting with contrast and exposure. Most of my photos have leaned into strong contrasts, but the other day I found myself shooting in thick fog and captured a few bright, dreamy images. The softer, more overexposed look felt refreshing. It’s opened up a new perspective and given me fresh energy, both in how I approach photography and how I observe the world around me.

One of the most profound changes I’ve noticed is how much more intentional I’ve become in simplifying my compositions. I pay much more attention to backgrounds, supporting elements, and potential distractions and how they affect the overall mood of the photo. Of course, this isn’t a new concept, but seeing in black and white makes these details stand out more clearly. I don’t have to wait until I’m editing at home to notice if something feels off; I’m learning to recognize it in the moment.

Editing has become a more revealing part of the process too. Seeing the image on a larger screen teaches me so much about how I shoot. One insight that has stood out is this: if a photo feels strong in black and white, it likely works well in color too. So, by focusing on black and white photography, I believe I’m also improving my color work, almost as a byproduct.

I expect to return to this topic again in the future, especially as I continue to grow and gain more insight through this daily practice.

Until next time!