Our guide to black and white London photography

While London looks impressive in colour, black and white photographs offer another view. Black and white building photography accentuates the city’s architecture, bringing attention to textures, contrasts, and patterns that might otherwise be missed in colour shots. 

The interplay between light and shadow becomes more prominent, and you can see how different architectural styles have shaped the London skyline.

If you’re interested in exploring London in monochrome, our guide is here to provide tips and inspiration on embracing light and shadow and having a go at black-and-white photography.

Why are black-and-white photos so powerful?

When colour is stripped away, it allows us to focus on the core elements of London’s streets and buildings. Contrast becomes heightened, with only lights and darks to go by, creating a sense of intensity. 

From weathered buildings and cloudy skies to gnarled branches of urban trees, textures also become more pronounced, adding richness to black-and-white photos.

What’s more, black and white photos provide a timeless, cinematic feel for bolder, more evocative images. And with the city’s diverse architecture, bustling streets, and dynamic skyline, London is the ideal backdrop where all of these aspects come together.

The best spots in London for black-and-white photography

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to architectural inspiration in London. There are iconic landmarks around every corner, ranging from historical buildings to modern structures. 

And although great shots can be found along every London street, there are a few areas that provide the best opportunities for truly striking black-and-white photos.

• Tower Bridge: With reflections in the Thames, the intricate details of Tower Bridge can create dramatic compositions. Consider shooting at dusk or dawn to really experiment with light and dark in black and white.
  
  
• Big Ben: The Gothic architecture of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben look striking in monochrome, especially with moody skies or fog.
  
  
• Highgate Cemetery: What could be more evocative than the haunting beauty of Highgate Cemetery? With its overgrown tombstones and intricate sculptures, it provides ample opportunity for depth and contrast in black and white.
  
  
• Southbank and the Tate Modern: The mix of industrial, modernist, and classical elements along the riverbank makes for varied subjects in black and white. Inside the Tate Modern gallery, it can be worth exploring black and white silhouettes as visitors peruse.
  
  
• The underground: Whichever Tube station you’re in, the stark lighting, strong contrasts, and repetitive patterns make for excellent compositions. With so many people around, you can also experiment with how light and shadow interact to create a sense of movement.

The key elements of black-and-white street photography

As with any photography style, evocative black-and-white street photography hinges on several central elements. By keeping these in mind when exploring, you can refine your black-and-white London photography.

Light and shadow

No matter the time of day, strong shadows, backlit subjects, and directional light can all contribute to compelling images. 

Composition and framing

Without colour to distract, you can focus on strong shapes, leading lines, and framing to guide the viewer’s eye. Although London is a busy city, don’t be afraid of negative space! It can add further contrast and interest to your composition.

Texture and details 

Consider focusing in on textures, which can be made more prominent in black and white. Whether it’s a cracked pavement, rippling water, or a section of a church wall, try some close-up shots. You might like to experiment with different lighting on close-up textures, too. Try softer light on more rounded surfaces and subjects and see how harsher light can showcase more geometric shapes.

Contrast and tone

If you want high drama, adjust your camera settings to get deep blacks and bright whites. Alternatively, you can focus on subtle greys and mid-tones for a softer look.

Urban geometry and patterns

Patterns are everywhere — in nature and architecture — and they can help create dynamic images and helpful focal points. From the repetition of windows on a block of flats to tree-lined parks and the geometrical shapes of high-rise buildings, see how following patterns can help shape your images.

Storytelling

All powerful photos offer some form of visual storytelling, whether there are people and animals or empty streets lined by houses. Always see what narrative lies beyond the composition.

The best camera features and settings for black-and-white London photography

One way to explore black-and-white photography is to look at post-processing. To truly capture the mood of London in monochrome, it’s essential to adjust your camera settings and embrace a black-and-white mindset from the start. 

So, what are the most important camera settings to play with?

• Shutter speed: Slower shutter speeds can be helpful when capturing motion in black and white — for example, a London bus driving past. They can also help create an artistic look.
  
  
• ISO: Noise can become more noticeable in black and white photos, so keep ISO low to minimise it where possible.
  
  
• Black and white film simulation: FUJIFILM X Series and GFX cameras are ideal for getting creative with black and white street photography. One of the most effective ways to start exploring black-and-white photography with your FUJIFILM camera is to use its Film Simulation Modes. Models like the FUJIFILM X-T50 and GFX 100 II feature ACROS and Monochrome film simulations, which allow you to create stunning in-camera black-and-white photos.

These simulations offer the chance to embrace classic monochromatic aesthetics while giving you control over grain, contrast, and tonality.

If you fancy trying out these film simulation modes, why not take a look at our loan products? Our try-before-you-buy system lets you see how you get on with selected cameras or equipment for 48 hours — for free!

​​Explore London in black and white with the FUJIFILM House of Photography

At the FUJIFILM House of Photography, we’re fortunate to be situated in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. We run regular photography walks around this incredible city alongside genre-based workshops designed to help you develop your skills in your chosen photography field. 

See what we’ve got coming up and fine-tune your black-and-white London photography.