Best of Black and White Street Photography on 500px

Black and white or color… a decision photographers have had to make, roll-by-roll and shot-by-shot, since the rise of color negative film.

Black and white portraits, black and white landscapes, and black and white wildlife images are all still very prevalent, even in the digital age when almost all photos are captured color in-camera. But one genre where black and white isn’t just accepted, but almost expected, is Street Photography.

A street photograph seems, at least to this writer, more at home in black and white. The bones and motion of a scene better emphasized, no color to distract the viewer. From highly-stylized to more traditional, most of my favorite street photos are captured (or at least shared) in black and white.

500px may be better known for vibrant landscapes than colorless street photographs, but you’d be surprised what you’ll find in the archives if you do a simple search.

Here’s a selection of the best black and white street photography you’ll find on 500px:

This is nowhere near a comprehensive list of the best black-and-white street photography on 500px, but we didn’t want to keep you scrolling for the rest of the day. To see all the best street photos captured by our amazing community, click here.

And while you’re there, share your favorite B&W street photo in the comments down below!