Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Black and white in the digital era, how to see in black and white.
You will be able to shoot better black-and-white images if you have an eye for what works best in the medium.
With the distraction of colour removed, shape, form, pattern and texture have added significance and greater impact. Black and white photography poses unique challenges; without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, texture and composition take on even greater importance. Discover these elements and the rules of black and white photography, and when and how to break them.
On this course we will examine the oeuvre of renowned black-and-white photographers, past and present, and you will soon recognise (and emulate) recurring elements in their images.
What will we cover?
History of photography as monochrome
Thinking and seeing in black and white
Image contrast
Composition, patterns, lines and framing
Implied colour
High and low key images
How different genres work in black and white: portraiture, landscape, objects, street photography
Explore traditional black and white ‘analogue’ photographic processes
Making black and white digital prints
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Be able to create a body of work in black and white
Be able to understand how different qualities of light translate in black and white
Be decisive about shooting in black and white rather than converting after shooting
Understand the concepts of composition and framing
Correctly expose images in challenging situations
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is aimed at photographers who already know how to use the manual settings of their camera, such as shutter speed, f-stops and ISO. Activities will act as a refresher in the use of the camera settings but it is not designed for beginners in photography.
You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, hand-outs and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with a mixture of presentations, group discussion and reflection, focused activities in the studio and outdoors (with tutor guidance). Activities outside will require some walking - please contact Visual Arts with any questions.
Resources will be added to Google Classroom for you to access and (in order to progress) you will be set tasks to do in your own time between classes.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. The City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony) tripods, lenses and flash which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class. We cannot lend equipment between the lessons. It would be useful to bring a USB memory stick.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
A natural progression might be to explore more in different genres, such as Portraits and People, Street Photography, Experimental Photography or Documentary Photography. If you’re interested in the analogue side of black and white, you can Learn How to Process Black and White Film or try Experimental Pinhole Photography.
Holly Falconer is a London-based photographer, whose work focuses on capturing groups and subcultures in the UK with a particular interest in the queer community. Her photography has been widely exhibited in galleries such as the Hayward Gallery and the People’s History Museum, and she has shot for Channel 4, Tate Etc, the BBC and Shelter, amongst others. Originally starting out as a writer for LGBTQIA+ publications, her work tells the stories of people via a vivid, intimate aesthetic.
Catriona Gray is a photographic artist and teacher from London. She has worked in photography for 26 years and has a breadth of experience from documentary and portrait photography, to fine art darkroom printing, analogue photography and alternative photographic processes. She has taught photography for over 10 years for various institutions including Westminster University, NHS hopsitals, healthcare and addiction recovery facilities, Darkroom London and Zoom In. She believes in learning through doing, and making lots of mistakes. Push yourself, try something different, flip things around, get uncomfortable.
Sara Leigh LewisSee moreSee less
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/black-and-white-photography3001480Black and white photographyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/l/black_and_white_photography-vy108-1-1080.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Courses/Art & design/Photography/Photography skills & workshops/Courses/vm/Make Art You're Proud Of22851132170217561374412285113217021653<p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography.</p>00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/l/black_and_white_photography-vy108-2-1080.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/l/black_and_white_photography-vy108-3-1080.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/l/black_and_white_photography-vy108-4-1080.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/l/black_and_white_photography-vy108-5-1080.jpg2235457Black and white photography239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/l/black_and_white_photography-vy108-1-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-24T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJun 2026Art & designVY108239239Black and white photography191155239Holly Falconer, Catriona Grayblack-and-white-photography/vy108-2526<p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-24 00:00:00<p>Black and white in the digital era, how to see in black and white.</p><p>You will be able to shoot better black-and-white images if you have an eye for what works best in the medium.</p><p>With the distraction of colour removed, shape, form, pattern and texture have added significance and greater impact. Black and white photography poses unique challenges; without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, texture and composition take on even greater importance. Discover these elements and the rules of black and white photography, and when and how to break them.</p><p>On this course we will examine the oeuvre of renowned black-and-white photographers, past and present, and you will soon recognise (and emulate) recurring elements in their images.</p><p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography.</p><ul><li>History of photography as monochrome</li><li>Thinking and seeing in black and white</li><li>Image contrast</li><li>Composition, patterns, lines and framing</li><li>Implied colour</li><li>High and low key images</li><li>How different genres work in black and white: portraiture, landscape, objects, street photography</li><li>Explore traditional black and white ‘analogue’ photographic processes</li><li>Making black and white digital prints</li></ul><ul><li>Be able to create a body of work in black and white</li><li>Be able to understand how different qualities of light translate in black and white</li><li>Be decisive about shooting in black and white rather than converting after shooting</li><li>Understand the concepts of composition and framing</li><li>Correctly expose images in challenging situations</li></ul><p>This is aimed at photographers who already know how to use the manual settings of their camera, such as shutter speed, f-stops and ISO. Activities will act as a refresher in the use of the camera settings but it is not designed for beginners in photography.</p><p> </p><p>You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, hand-outs and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with a mixture of presentations, group discussion and reflection, focused activities in the studio and outdoors (with tutor guidance). Activities outside will require some walking - please contact Visual Arts with any questions.</p><p>Resources will be added to Google Classroom for you to access and (in order to progress) you will be set tasks to do in your own time between classes.</p><p>Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. The City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony) tripods, lenses and flash which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class. We cannot lend equipment between the lessons. It would be useful to bring a USB memory stick.</p><p>A natural progression might be to explore more in different genres, such as Portraits and People, Street Photography, Experimental Photography or Documentary Photography. If you’re interested in the analogue side of black and white, you can Learn How to Process Black and White Film or try Experimental Pinhole Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography skills & workshopsvirtual3030607Black and white photography259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/l/black_and_white_photography-vy108-1-1080_3.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceSep 2026Art & designVY377259259Black and white photography207168259Sara Leigh Lewisblack-and-white-photography/vy377-2627<p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography</p>0000-Available|2026-09-18 00:00:00<p>Black and white in the digital era, how to see in black and white.<br>You will be able to shoot better black-and-white images if you have an eye for what works best in the medium.</p><p><br>With the distraction of colour removed, shape, form, pattern and texture have added significance and greater impact. Black and white photography poses unique challenges; without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even greater importance. Discover these elements and the rules of black and white photography, and when and how to break them.</p><p><br>On this course we will examine the oeuvre of renowned black-and-white photographers, past and present, and you will soon recognise (and emulate) recurring elements in their images.</p><p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography</p><ul><li>The monochromatic vision - past, present, and future</li><li>Thinking and seeing in black and white</li><li>Image contrast</li><li>Composition, patterns, lines and framing</li><li>Implied colour</li><li>High and low key images</li><li>People and portraiture</li></ul><ul><li>Be able to create a body of work in black and white</li><li>Be able to understand how different qualities of light translate in black and white</li><li>Be decisive about shooting in black and white rather than converting after shooting</li></ul><p>This is aimed at photographers who already know how to use the manual settings of their camera. Activities will act as a refresher in the use of the camera settings but it is not designed for beginners in photography.</p><p> </p><p>You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, hand-outs and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with a mixture of presentations, group discussion and reflection, focused activities in the studio and outdoors (with tutor guidance). Activities outside will require some walking - please contact Visual Arts with any questions.</p><p> </p><p>Resources will be added to Google Classroom for you to access and (in order to progress) you will be set tasks to do in your own time between classes.</p><p>Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. The City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony) tripods, lenses and flash which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class. We cannot lend equipment between the lessons. It would be useful to bring a USB memory stick.</p><p>A natural progression might be to explore more in different genres, such as Portraits and People, Street Photography, Experimental Photography or Documentary Photography. If you’re interested in the analogue side of black and white, you can Learn How to Process Black and White Film or try Experimental Pinhole Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography skills & workshopsvirtual191,207239,259155,168VY108,VY377NONEWed,Fri24/06/26 - 22/07/2614:00 - 17:0014:0017:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytime,EveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetHolly Falconer, Catriona Gray,Sara Leigh LewisBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-06-24T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026,Sep 2026Art & design239239,259Black and white photographyblack-and-white-photography/vy108-2526,black-and-white-photography/vy377-2627<p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography.</p>,<p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography</p>0000-Available|2026-06-24 00:00:00<p>Black and white in the digital era, how to see in black and white.</p><p>You will be able to shoot better black-and-white images if you have an eye for what works best in the medium.</p><p>With the distraction of colour removed, shape, form, pattern and texture have added significance and greater impact. Black and white photography poses unique challenges; without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, texture and composition take on even greater importance. Discover these elements and the rules of black and white photography, and when and how to break them.</p><p>On this course we will examine the oeuvre of renowned black-and-white photographers, past and present, and you will soon recognise (and emulate) recurring elements in their images.</p>,<p>Black and white in the digital era, how to see in black and white.<br>You will be able to shoot better black-and-white images if you have an eye for what works best in the medium.</p><p><br>With the distraction of colour removed, shape, form, pattern and texture have added significance and greater impact. Black and white photography poses unique challenges; without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even greater importance. Discover these elements and the rules of black and white photography, and when and how to break them.</p><p><br>On this course we will examine the oeuvre of renowned black-and-white photographers, past and present, and you will soon recognise (and emulate) recurring elements in their images.</p><p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography.</p>,<p>Shape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography</p><ul><li>History of photography as monochrome</li><li>Thinking and seeing in black and white</li><li>Image contrast</li><li>Composition, patterns, lines and framing</li><li>Implied colour</li><li>High and low key images</li><li>How different genres work in black and white: portraiture, landscape, objects, street photography</li><li>Explore traditional black and white ‘analogue’ photographic processes</li><li>Making black and white digital prints</li></ul>,<ul><li>The monochromatic vision - past, present, and future</li><li>Thinking and seeing in black and white</li><li>Image contrast</li><li>Composition, patterns, lines and framing</li><li>Implied colour</li><li>High and low key images</li><li>People and portraiture</li></ul><ul><li>Be able to create a body of work in black and white</li><li>Be able to understand how different qualities of light translate in black and white</li><li>Be decisive about shooting in black and white rather than converting after shooting</li><li>Understand the concepts of composition and framing</li><li>Correctly expose images in challenging situations</li></ul>,<ul><li>Be able to create a body of work in black and white</li><li>Be able to understand how different qualities of light translate in black and white</li><li>Be decisive about shooting in black and white rather than converting after shooting</li></ul><p>This is aimed at photographers who already know how to use the manual settings of their camera, such as shutter speed, f-stops and ISO. Activities will act as a refresher in the use of the camera settings but it is not designed for beginners in photography.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, hand-outs and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p>,<p>This is aimed at photographers who already know how to use the manual settings of their camera. Activities will act as a refresher in the use of the camera settings but it is not designed for beginners in photography.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>You should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, hand-outs and health and safety information and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with a mixture of presentations, group discussion and reflection, focused activities in the studio and outdoors (with tutor guidance). Activities outside will require some walking - please contact Visual Arts with any questions.</p><p>Resources will be added to Google Classroom for you to access and (in order to progress) you will be set tasks to do in your own time between classes.</p>,<p>You will be taught with a mixture of presentations, group discussion and reflection, focused activities in the studio and outdoors (with tutor guidance). Activities outside will require some walking - please contact Visual Arts with any questions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Resources will be added to Google Classroom for you to access and (in order to progress) you will be set tasks to do in your own time between classes.</p><p>Please bring your camera (if you have one) to the classes and you may wish to bring a notebook and pen. The City Lit has a range of Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, (Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Sony) tripods, lenses and flash which you are welcome to use during the hours of the class. We cannot lend equipment between the lessons. It would be useful to bring a USB memory stick.</p><p>A natural progression might be to explore more in different genres, such as Portraits and People, Street Photography, Experimental Photography or Documentary Photography. If you’re interested in the analogue side of black and white, you can Learn How to Process Black and White Film or try Experimental Pinhole Photography.</p>PhotographyPhotography skills & workshopsconfigurable
