The Monochrome Minute

The Monochrome Minute is an article series to help you master the art of black and white photography. Whether you’re a beginner exploring light and shadow or an experienced shooter refining your style, our posts offer guidance on seeing in monochrome, capturing mood, and creating images that truly stand out.

A Better Way To Scroll Social Media
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

A Better Way To Scroll Social Media

Most of us use social media as a digital pacifier, mindlessly scrolling through a blur of images. But for a photographer, the Doom Scroll is a missed opportunity. Today, we discuss a better way to use your phone to actually improve your eye.

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When is a Photograph Not a Photograph?
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

When is a Photograph Not a Photograph?

In an era of AI and heavy compositing the definition of photography is blurring. This week we ask the hard question: At what point does an image stop being a photograph and become something else?

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Color is Noise, Monochrome is Silence
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

Color is Noise, Monochrome is Silence

We live in a world screaming in high definition color. Every screen is a cacophony of hues fighting for your attention. But what happens when you silence that volume?

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Stuck on the Creative Hamster Wheel? How to Break the Cycle
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

Stuck on the Creative Hamster Wheel? How to Break the Cycle

Are you stuck in a creative rut with your black and white photography? Discover how the "hamster wheel" metaphor perfectly describes creative stagnation, and learn practical strategies to build forward momentum into your monochrome work.

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She Stood in the Shadow of a Giant... and Bloomed
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

She Stood in the Shadow of a Giant... and Bloomed

Imagine being a photographer and your husband is Henri Cartier Bresson. Most of us would probably put the camera down and walk away. Martine Franck didn’t. In today’s Monochrome Minute, we look at how she carved out her own legendary status in the shadow of a giant, and what her "friendly gaze" can teach us about empathy in black and white.

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Don't Just Take a Photo: Direct a still Movie
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

Don't Just Take a Photo: Direct a still Movie

A photograph is a film in a single frame. Every great composition balances two fundamental elements: the grand setting and the narrative subject. This post will show you how to stop capturing empty scenes and start directing cinematic, story driven photographs simply by shifting your mindset, not staging a shot.

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Do You Consume More Than You Create?
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

Do You Consume More Than You Create?

We live in a world built for consumption. Tutorials, reviews, reels, and endless inspiration are always one swipe away. But if you want to grow as a photographer, consuming more than you create becomes a trap. Real progress happens when you put the camera in your hands, not when you watch someone else use theirs.

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Technology is Advancing, Why Aren’t My Photos?
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

Technology is Advancing, Why Aren’t My Photos?

Camera technology keeps getting better, yet many photographers still struggle to improve their images. The truth is simple: gear can only amplify your vision, not replace it. In this post, we explore why your photos may not be evolving with your equipment and how focusing on intention, light, and deliberate practice can finally move your work forward.

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The Power of Underexposure in Monochrome Photography
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

The Power of Underexposure in Monochrome Photography

Underexposure isn’t a mistake in monochrome photography. It’s a creative choice that adds depth, mood, and intention to your images. By pulling the exposure down, you let shadows shape the story, protect your highlights, and create photographs that feel more atmospheric and visually striking. Sometimes shooting darker gives your work exactly the edge it’s been missing.

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The Unexpected Magic of Reprocessing Old Photos
The Monochrome Collective The Monochrome Collective

The Unexpected Magic of Reprocessing Old Photos

Reprocessing older photos isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about discovering the creative potential you missed the first time around. As your eye evolves, so does your ability to shape tone, light, and emotion. Revisiting your archives can reveal images that suddenly feel stronger, more intentional, and more aligned with your current vision especially in monochrome, where subtlety and structure matter most.

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