Colors help our eyes determine detail. Sometimes, however, multiple colors can disguise details that we do not naturally see. Using shades of one color to wash out a photo or art piece can add to the overall impact and bring out details we might have missed.
This process of either eliminating all color or reducing the color palette to hues within a single shade is generally referred to as monochromatism. In the below examples of monochromatic photos and art, we included images in which the artist focuses your attention using careful color selection. This is not necessarily a single color, even though the word monochromatic means literally one color. Some monochromatic photos bend the rule a bit and incorporate one additional color to the primary shade used.
And don’t confuse monochromatic art with black and white, either. While black and white is certainly in the genre, other colors can be used to create a specific mood or draw your eye to various elements of the piece. So let this collection expand your definition of monochromatic a bit and inspire you to reconsider color selection and emphasis in your own work.
Black Car
Wood Panel Paintings by Lori Ellison
Butterfly on Leaves
Tree in Red by Sunmallia
Time for Reflection by John Bennett
Fog Lights by John Bennett
Anna Samenina of Muse/NYC
Meltaway & Northern White by James Lecce
Burr Oak Redux Monochrome by Notley Hawkins
Green Monochrome Flowers by Lowell Nesbitt
Green Bathroom
Watered Album Cover
Monochrome Camels
Yellow Nature Wallpaper
Red Sunset
Green Forest
Related Posts
- The 10 Best Newsletters for Photographers
- 20 Stunning Logo Templates for Photographers
- 30 Stunning Examples of Wildlife Photography
- 25 Beautiful Examples of Bokeh Photography
- 20 Fine Examples of Backlit Photography
- 30 Beautiful Examples of Infrared Photography
- 20 Stunning Examples of Super Macro Photography
- The Good and Bad of Stock Photography
- 50 Wonderful Black & White Photos with Partial Color Effects
- 25 Stunning Examples of Still Life Photography