THIRDRAFT

In a world flooded with artificial vibrancy and flawless perfection, black and white photography remains unapologetically raw, bold, and honest. It doesn’t shout for attention with bold pigments; it demands it through stark contrasts and undeniable presence. No distractions, just pure emotion, a quiet rebellion against the chaos of modern imagery.

Perhaps that’s why Gen Z is drawn to it. In a world oversaturated with noise, a stripped back frame speaks volumes. The absence of color doesn’t weaken the image; it amplifies its presence. The most powerful stories don’t demand attention; they haunt you in silence, like an unfinished thought. So before reaching for the saturation slider, pause. Let the darkness speak.

Nayanku Debapriyo, 22, a street style photographer at Pearl Academy, Delhi, believes pale toned imagery strips an image to its core, revealing its true essence. “Colour can drown an image, make it loud without depth. When you remove it, the real narrative emerges,” he says, transforming the mundane into something cinematic, like a moment pulled from an untold narrative.

Nobil Toppo, 23, a wildlife photographer at Times Drive, Noida, sees an unforgiving truth serum. “You can soften reality with hues, but in monochrome, there’s no escape,” he says. Haunting images endure because, without colour, nothing hides the raw emotions of pain, joy, or solitude. A photograph loses warmth, but gains permanence, lingering long after the eye has moved.

However, not everyone is convinced this change is permanent. Prerna Sharda, 23, an architect from Maharashtra shares ““People say Bollywood needs to change, but we’re the ones buying the tickets. If we keep making ‘female-led’ films successful, studios won’t be able to ignore them. Money speaks louder than progressive Twitter threads.”

Perhaps that’s why Gen Z is drawn to it. In a world oversaturated with noise, a stripped back frame speaks volumes. The absence of color doesn’t weaken the image; it amplifies its presence. The most powerful stories don’t demand attention; they haunt you in silence, like an unfinished thought. So before reaching for the saturation slider, pause. Let the darkness speak.