Expressive Monochrome Portraits

One look through the Benny Horne portfolio and it's easy to see why he has established himself as one of the most coveted celebrity portrait photographers in the fashion magazine industry.

Benny Horne's work has appeared in Vogue Russia, RUSSH, and Harper's Bazaar, as well as in ad campaigns for major fashion brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Fendi. In this post, we examine the Benny Horne portfolio for his best snaps of non-celebrity models in black and white. Horne shows a skill for bringing out incredibly expressive poses out of his models, contrasting the organic beauty of their faces with the monochrome setting the shoot takes place in.

My favorite shot from the Benny Horne portfolio is the lead image of this post. It shows a gorgeous model staring intently into the camera and letting a powerful scream go. The shot perfectly illustrates why some photographers opt for the greyscale effect when taking a shot -- the color contrast brings the intensity of the photograph home.

Implications - One of the most effective ways a company can subtly effect the attention paid to its marketing is by avoiding all color and placing their marketing on a black and white backdrop. By eschewing color and excitement, the ad takes a more artistic feel and stands a better chance of being distinguishable in a crowded marketplace.