Why I’m Shooting Black & White This Year

With the start of a new year, I wanted to challenge myself in a way that would both inspire me and help me grow as a photographer. That’s why I’ve committed to shooting at least one black and white photo every day in 2026.

This might sound like a small thing, but it’s already changing the way I see the world around me.

Black and white photography is often associated with timelessness, simplicity, and emotion. Without the distraction of color, everything else becomes more important — light, contrast, composition, texture, and especially mood. By removing color, I’m forced to think more deeply about how I frame a scene, what I’m actually trying to say with an image, and how light interacts with the world around me.

There’s also something meditative about this limitation. When you know you’re going to shoot every day, and you’re restricted to one lens and no color, your focus shifts from “finding something spectacular” to simply noticing more. The challenge becomes less about the perfect photo, and more about staying present and consistent.

So far, I’ve been experimenting with light, tones, and how different scenes translate into monochrome. I’ve also been working on refining my editing style, and I’m slowly learning what kind of contrast and tonal range I’m most drawn to.

Is it always easy? No. Some days I feel uninspired or short on time (especially now in winter when daylight is limited). But that’s part of the point. I want to train my creative eye, sharpen my instincts, and keep my camera close, even when conditions aren’t perfect.

This year-long project isn’t about creating masterpieces every day. It’s about staying curious and building a deeper connection with photography — one frame at a time.

Let’s see where it takes me.