Black and white flower photography is a remarkable use of the photographic medium. Among traditional canvas artists, these types of works were considered impossible and were never done. However, with the advent of photographic methods, black and white flower photography has not only thrived but become a popular choice for home and interior decoration.
There are many things that appeal to modern audiences in these monochromatic blossom photos. One of the main things is the stark contrasts that are present in its execution. Generally, black and white flower pictures have a gray or black background with a bright white flower. The flower itself can completely fill the canvas, as seen in the work 'Radiance IV' by Cinzia Ryan, but even with this work there is still a dark area in order to provide contrast in the work. However, some photographers choose to downplay the severity of the contrast in these monochromatic blossom photos. These artists use off-white coloring to make their art, as seen in 'Miracle' by John Jones.
However, despite the beauty of the works, they give off a sense of melancholy that is reminiscent of the dead pressed flowers a person would find in a book. While this feeling of melancholy and reflection is common among framed black and white photography, it’s surprising for many people to see flowers treated in this way. That's because flowers, in both traditional artwork and photographic representations, are generally all about living life to the fullest. These ghostly flower pictures, on the other hand, are a bit more complex. They're ghost-like appearance suggests reflection of the past while their subject matter focuses on the present.
For many people and businesses these two qualities of contrast and duality are exactly why they prefer black and white flower photography in their homes or place of business. An example of where this form of art would be appropriate is in a wedding boutique, where the potential bride is embracing the moment and leaving her past.
