Black & White Photography: Perfect For Sunny Days

As you may know, I've taken the summer off from landscape photography, partly because I find it hard to get motivated during the long, often sunny days of summer (and there have been a lot of those here in Devon this summer!). With horribly early sunrises, late sunsets, and seemingly endless blue skies (lovely to sit under, but boring for landscape photos) it gets tricky to find either atmosphere, good light or interesting skies, making it a tricky time for great landscape photography. However, if unlike me, you have decided not to take the summer off, and are looking for inspiration of what to shoot, then black and white landscapes could just be the answer! 

Why Black and White Works in Summer

When summer arrives, the landscape can feel uninspiring for photographers: the light is harsh, colours are washed out, and the sky is often a relentless, featureless blue. But black and white photography turns these so-called weaknesses into strengths, offering a fresh way to see and capture the world during the brightest months.

1. Making the Most of Harsh Light

Bright summer sunlight creates strong contrast—deep shadows and brilliant highlights. While this can make colour photos look flat and overly harsh, black and white thrives on contrast. The interplay between light and shadow becomes the star of the show, adding drama and definition to your images. Instead of fighting the midday sun, you can use it to carve out bold shapes and textures in the landscape.

2. Emphasising Shape, Form, and Texture

With colour stripped away, the eye is naturally drawn to the lines, patterns, and textures that define a scene. Summer light accentuates the textures of rocks, grasses, and tree bark, while the absence of distracting colours helps you focus on composition. Rolling hills, lone trees, dry stone walls, and even cloudless skies can all become striking elements in a monochrome image.

3. Turning “Boring” Blue Skies into Minimalist Backdrops

Endless blue skies may do little for a colour landscape, but in black and white, they become a blank canvas. Use them to simplify your compositions—isolating a single tree, building, or rock formation against a pale sky for a minimalist, graphic effect. The simplicity of black and white helps you see opportunities in what might otherwise be dismissed as “bad” weather for photography.

4. Creating Mood and Timelessness

Summer landscapes in colour can sometimes feel too cheerful or lacking in atmosphere. Black and white, on the other hand, can inject mood, mystery, or a sense of timelessness into even the most ordinary scene. Deep shadows, stark silhouettes, and the play of light on water all take on a new emotional quality in monochrome.

5. Overcoming Colour Distractions

Summer often brings a jumble of greens, browns, and yellows that can clash or overwhelm the frame. By removing colour, you simplify the scene and help the viewer focus on what really matters—composition, light, and subject. 

Practical Tips for Shooting Black and White in Summer

• Look for strong contrast: Seek out scenes where light and shadow create bold patterns.

• Expose for highlights: Protect detail in the brightest parts of the image, even if it means letting shadows go deep and dark.

• Use filters: A polariser can deepen the sky and reduce glare, while digital black and white conversion lets you fine-tune contrast in post-processing. However, be aware that using a polariser with big blue skies on a wide angle lens can cause unsightly colour banding. For more info on polarisers see this blog.

• Compose simply: With less to distract the eye, clean lines and clear focal points become even more important.

• Experiment with textures: Get close to textured surfaces—weathered wood, rippling water, or cracked earth—to let summer light reveal their detail.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Summer doesn’t have to be a creative dead zone for landscape photographers. By embracing black and white, you can turn the season’s challenges into opportunities—making the most of strong light, simple skies, and bold shapes. Next time you find yourself uninspired by the summer landscape, switch to monochrome and see how it transforms your vision of landscapes.

Black and white photo of a summer's day at Nun's Cross Farm Dartmoor

Want some help improving your photography skills?

Don't forget that if you want some direct help with your photography, I offer a range of 1-2-1 photography courses for Devon based folks. If you're not nearby then I also  offer residential workshops for beginner photographers or improving photographers.

About Gary Holpin Photography

As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.

I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.

As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.