Photography has its beginnings in black and white. From the dramatic landscapes of Ansel Adams to the prime of Magnum's documentary photos and then to the iconic celebrity portraits by Richard Avedon, black and white photography has celebrated the impact of light on form in the purest sense. With colour photography only becoming popular in the later half of the 20th century, it's no wonder that many contemporary photographers prefer to work with a monochromatic palette. Bluethumb's photographers are no different. Damian Seagar's highly detailed landscapes are reminscent of Ansel Adams, and are captured on beautiful fine film. Silvi Glattauer explores the elegant beauty of plants in her luxurious photogravure prints, using creative lighting and careful composition. Explore our top picks of Bluethumb's black and white photography.

Curated by Megan George