Why does black and white photos seem more classic or timeless than color photos?

Film Notes

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Why is monochrome film nostalgic?

This is my theory:

Old school photos were all shot in black and white, therefore we associate “classic” photography with black and white.

But in reality, a lot of these old school master photographers had no other option!

And actually, a lot of these old school photographers did experiment with color slide film, even when the ISO of these Kodachrome slide films were only ISO 20 and below!!!

But as time went on, the speed of color film got faster. ISO 64, ISO 200+

I personally love looking at old school photos shot on Kodachrome. Absolutely gorgeous.

For example look at this photo of Kodachrome photo by Chalmers Butterfield of Shaftesbury Avenue from Piccadilly Circus, in the West End of London, c. 1949. It looks epic!

Also a lot of iconic color photos were shot on Kodachrome, like photos by Steve McCurry and Fred Herzog.

Some Fred Herzog photos I love:

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So concluding point: black and white is more nostalgic of the past.

But for your photography, follow your own gut and aesthetics. Make beautiful photos for yourself!

Some of mg favorite black and and white photos (learn more in FILM NOTES):