Black and White and Dramatic All Over

Carole Lombard is stunning in this heavenly lighting!

Absolutely nothing captures drama and emotion quite like black and white. I am not trying to knock color, as I am a huge fan of all movies, no matter their race, creed or color (I am very liberal that way). But I believe that a little something was lost when movies changed from two tone to Technicolor.

I love the softness of this picture of the angelic Lillian Gish! I really don't think this effect can be achieved in color.

The shadows and fur perfectly capture Marlene Dietrich's sultry persona!

When movies started, not only were they black and white, but they were silent as well. Luckily, they were able to portray a lot of emotion through the actors dramatic and histrionic capabilities. But I also believe that the black and white medium (combined with fantastic lighting) helped them with their overall communication to the audience. And I truly don't believe they would have had the same results if they had been working in color.

Bette Davis could be both virtuous and villainous. I love how fresh and young she was captured here! 

Jean Harlow was the quintessential vamp. The dark shadows and dramatic pose are very appropriate for her.

I am always impressed when modern filmmakers use black and white (though, unfortunately, it happens very infrequently). I am always so saddened when I hear that many people refuse to watch black and white movies! (Oh the treasures they are missing out on!) But it is nice to see that it is at least alive and well in magazines and editorials! 

Some of the best lighting and cinematography I've ever seen!

Black and white definitely made this movie more dramatic.

Now, I know this isn't a movie blog, but as I said, I am addressing black and white as a medium here, be it a still or a moving picture. So, may I present to you some wonderful pictures that are twice as lovely and twice as sultry because they were taken in black and white. For the sake of brevity, I couldn't use all of the wonderful pictures I found. But I tried to pick some of my favorites from a number of different time periods.

Myrna Loy, one of my favorites! This picture wouldn't be nearly as dramatic and mysterious in color.

What's that you say? I already used a picture of her? Too bad! Look how awesome her cheek bones are!

Greer Garson was so beautiful! I love how there are shadows of her eyelashes!

One advantage of black and white is that it can really make the eyes pop. Though I imagine it probably helped that Joan Crawford had amazing eyes!

Lauren Bacall was definitely stunning in color as well, but I think this medium perfectly captures her sultry mysteriousness.

In my opinion, black and white can amplify so much. And not just drama. Textures and angles are created and it almost becomes more art than photograph. Here are a few stunning modern pictures that completely support my claim:

Again, shadows can do so much in black and white. I love the angles it creates here with Kiera Knightly.

Could Kate Winslet look more gorgeous?

This is one of my very favorites from the lot! The shadows, the angles, the eyes and the hat! Like I needed another reason to adore Emily Blunt!

Just one example of a modern, black and white editorial. Notice the wonderful shadows and textures that are created .