In past times, black and white photography was not a choice - it was all there was available, and photographers and artists hand-coloured their black and white prints, normally in pastel shades, giving people very rosy cheeks, cherry-red lips and pale blue eyes.

In this age of digital photography, the colour usually has to be removed to produce a black and white or monochromatic image. This is done with photo editing software, and the black and white tones are adjusted to suit the image. Therefore, we can see very light hued images, or very dark toned photos - depending on both the subject of the photograph and the photographer/artist working on the post-production.

Here is a selection of more than 30 awe-inspiring examples of black and white photography for your viewing pleasure.

Click on any image to visit the page of origin

I hope you have enjoyed viewing these beautiful black & white photographs.

Please leave any comments or acknowledgements for the photographs/photographers below.