History of photography

The history of photography dates back to the 1800s, when French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce used a pinhole camera to capture an image on a pewter plate coated with a light-sensitive chemical. Up to that point, these pinhole cameras, called camera obscura, were only capable of projecting an image without actually capturing it. However, it wasn't until George Eastman invented the film camera in 1880 that anyone but only the wealthy were capable of taking photographs. By the 1940s, many people owned cameras and were taking pictures of friends, family, and the world around them. The industry took off, as did the artform. By the time the 1950s rolled around, photography studios were everywhere and black and white photographic prints hung on the walls of every house.

Modern black and white photography

Though we have camera technology today that can give us sharper, brighter color photographs than ever, there's something to be said about the elegant simplicity of black and white photography. It produces a mood that color can't fully replicate, and Etsy photographers sell a stunning array of modern black and white photos that capture magical moments. The scenery of a black and white photo of a snowy landscape comes through crisp. Black and white portraits and fashion photography of today and bygone eras gives inspiration to up-and-coming designers and visual artists. Animal photographs caught in black and white, taken out in the wild may arouse a spirit of adventure in the viewer, while a calming black and white photograph of an island beach brings a sense of tranquility.

Vintage black and white photographic prints

Etsy shops sell a treasure trove of vintage black and white photographs of people and places long gone that can never be captured again. They can transport you back to the days of your youth or to a fascinating point in time where you wish you could have been when history was being made.

Black & White Photography

(1,657 Results)

black and white photography, abstract photography, minimalist photography, minimal, minimalist art, black and white prints, abstract print

(229)

Star Seller

$50.00

From shop NicholasBellPhoto

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Colorado Mountain Print, Nature Decor, Rocky Mountain Wall Art, Bear Lake Print Black and White, Colorado Photography Prints

(196)

Star Seller

$19.00

From shop RyanLSmithPhoto

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Boat Print, Nautical Photography, Boat Marina, Beach Poster, Preppy Wall Decor, Minimalist Wall Art, Coastal Home Decor

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Nautical decor, Black and white coastal art, Lake house decor, Boat decor, Nautical art, Yacht Rope & Cleat

(554)

Star Seller

Sale Price $19.20
Original Price $24.00 (20% off)

From shop TheArtfulElement
Black and White Parisian Flower Market, Flower Wall Art, Botanical Art, Flower Photography, Floral Nursery Wall Decor, Girly Wall Art

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Shibuya Crossing Tokyo Black And White Photography Print Wall Art

(558)

$26.04

From shop MoandPaulPhotography

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Tree Prints, Scandinavian Print, Tree Prints Wall Art, Modern Minimalist Home Wall Decor, Minimal Print, Home Office Decor

(196)

Star Seller

$19.00

From shop RyanLSmithPhoto

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
London Street Art Photography Print, Black and White Photo, Graffiti, Urban Wall Art, I am a Unicorn, Rhino Print

(2,192)

Star Seller

$18.00

From shop AllysonBrownPhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Black White Wall Art Pictures, Oak Tree, Black White Matted Tree Wall Picture

(6,759)

Star Seller

$19.99

From shop LittlePiePhotoArt
Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Amalfi Coast Italy, Italian Beach Print, Mediterranean Wall Decor, Italy Travel Photography Coastal Wall Art for Beach House

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Amalfi Coast Print, Positano Italy Poster, Italian Architecture, Travel Photography, Minimal Large Wall Art for Living Room

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Poppy Flowers Black and White Photography - Floral Wall Art, Nature Photography, 8x10 16x20, Botanical Art Print

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Daisies Print, Botanical Art, Spring Flowers Nature Photography, Wildflower Floral Wall Decor, Daisy Wall Art for Nursery

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Beach Print Black and White Photography Wall Art, Seagulls, Nature photography, Ocean Print, 8x10 16x20 Print, Coastal Wall Art

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Flower Photography Set of 12 Prints Black and White Photography, Botanical Prints, Floral Wall Art, Gallery Wall Set, 5x5 8x8 Prints

(2,283)

Star Seller

$69.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Beach Gallery Wall Set of Five Prints Black and White Beach Photography Prints / Coastal Wall Art / Beach Decor / Ocean Print Set

(2,283)

Star Seller

$95.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Joshua Tree Print, Black And White Photography, Tree Wall Art, Bedroom Canvas Art, Panoramic, Large Wall Art, Southwestern Desert Photo

(272)

Sale Price $28.02
Original Price $32.96 (15% off)

From shop AwashStudio

FREE shipping
Black and white photography of a silhouette on the seaside with rocks and an orange rust painted color block Fine art print POLE CORAIL

(1,222)

Star Seller

$31.11

From shop labokoff

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Surreal Photography, Woman In Water, Minimalist, Black and White, Print, Photo, Wall Decor, Modern Artwork, Modern Home Decor

(830)

Star Seller

$38.61

From shop HistoricalPix

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Mountain Print Black and White, Modern Art Print, Minimalist Print Black and White, Landscape Photography Art Print, California Photo Print

(196)

Star Seller

$19.00

From shop RyanLSmithPhoto

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Coastal Cliff Print, Black and White Ocean Wall Art, Neutral Beach Travel Photography, Jurassic Coast, Minimalist Wall Decor for Beach House

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Set of 3 Black and White Prints, Mountain Art Print, Minimalist Art Print, Set of 3 Prints, Mountain Landscape Wall Art, Bedroom Print Set

(196)

Star Seller

$37.00

From shop RyanLSmithPhoto

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Hawaii Tree Black and White Photography Print • Tree Wall Art • Nature Photography • Bedroom Wall Art • 8x10 11x14 Print

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Joshua Tree Photography, Gallery-Quality Desert Print, Landscape Photography, Unframed Wall Art, Made To Order

$14.00

From shop KevanWilkinson

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Mountain Print Black and White, Modern Art Print, Minimalist Print Black and White, Landscape Photography Art Print, California Photo Print

(196)

Star Seller

$19.00

From shop RyanLSmithPhoto

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Black and white photography of a silhouette walking in a foggy landscape with a yellow painted color block Fine art print POLE JAUNE

(1,222)

Star Seller

$31.11

From shop labokoff

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Palm Tree Beach Print, Tropical Wall Decor, Beach House Decor, Black and White Beach Travel Photography, Coastal Wall Art for Living Room

(172)

$14.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Rome Italy Colosseum Black And White Photography Print

(558)

$26.04

From shop MoandPaulPhotography

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Boat Print, Coastal Wall Decor, Beach Travel Photography, Whitstable UK England, Nautical Wall Art for Beach House

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Landscape Photograph, Black and White Photography, Tree Print, Cypress Trees, Large Wall Art, Gray Nature Living Room Decor // Tree Tunnel

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Joshua Tree California Photography, Wall Art Prints, Black And White Photograph, Large Stretched Canvas, Panoramic, Southwestern Home Decor

(272)

Sale Price $24.31
Original Price $28.60 (15% off)

From shop AwashStudio

FREE shipping
Joshua Tree National Park Photography, Gallery-Quality Desert Print, Landscape Photography, Unframed Wall Art, Made To Order

$14.00

From shop KevanWilkinson

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Photography Wooden Boardwalk Print, Contemporary Landscape, Black and White Decor, Office Wall Art, Gray Wall Art

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Archway Photography, Archway Print, Black and White Photo Print, Architecture Print, Light, Shadows Photography Digital Download Printable

(723)

Star Seller

$6.51

From shop ModeaPrints

Digital Download

Etsy’s Pick
Laduree Paris Print Black And White Photography

(558)

$26.04

From shop MoandPaulPhotography

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Banana Leaves Print Black and White Photography Print, Contemporary, Botanical Wall Art, Gray Wall Art, 8x10 16x20 Print, Nature Art

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Marietta Atlanta Photography print Diner classic diner vintage diner Marietta Georgia

(282)

Star Seller

$26.00

From shop HardRoadStudio

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Country Road Print, Black and White Photography, Tree Wall Art, California, Landscape Photography, Road Trip // Misty Road

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Matera Italy Print European Village, Black and White Travel Photography, Mediterranean Wall Decor, Large Minimalist Wall Art for Living Room

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Seascape photography Child running on a beach Black & White photo with blue watercolor painting Fine Art Print COURSE

(1,222)

Star Seller

$31.11

From shop labokoff

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Melbourne MCG Black and White Print | Aerial Poster, City Skyline Wall Art Print, Original photography print from Melbourne

(292)

Star Seller

$53.43

From shop PeterYanStudio

FREE shipping
Etsy’s Pick
Elephant Wall Art Print, Black And White Elephant Photo, African Animals, Fine Art Prints, Large Canvas Wall Art, Africa Wall Decor

(272)

Sale Price $24.31
Original Price $28.60 (15% off)

From shop AwashStudio

FREE shipping
Black and White Beach Photography Print - Coastal Decor, Black White Wall Art, Living Room Decor, 8x10 16x20 Nature Photography

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Black and White Positano Italy Print, Amalfi Coast Art, Positano Gift, Mediterranean Beach, Italy Photography, Wall Art for Beach House

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Stonehenge Print, Black and White England Photography, Salisbury United Kingdom, Architecture Wall Art, Europe Travel Poster, Minimalist

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick
Vintage Photo - Women Surfing on the Beach 1960's Fashion - Photography, Black & White, Wall Art, Home Decor, Print

(74)

$5.00

From shop OldSoulPhotoStudio
Etsy’s Pick
California Coastal Wall Art - Black and White Photography, Beach Print, Ocean Photography, Landscape, Large Wall Art, Living Room Art

(2,283)

Star Seller

$16.00

From shop LupenGrainnePhoto
Etsy’s Pick
Wheeler's Oyster Bar, Whitstable Kent England, Black and White Travel Photography, Seafood Restaurant, Wall Art for Kitchen or Dining Room

(172)

$17.99

From shop DeparturesPrintShop

FREE shipping

Etsy’s Pick

There's so much more for you to discover

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Black & White

Review spotlight

Here is a selection of four-star and five-star reviews from customers who were delighted with the products they found in this category.

Black & White Photography

black and white photography, abstract photography, minimalist photography, minimal, minimalist art, black and white prints, abstract print

Black and White Colorado Mountain Print, Nature Decor, Rocky Mountain Wall Art, Bear Lake Print Black and White, Colorado Photography Prints

Black and White Boat Print, Nautical Photography, Boat Marina, Beach Poster, Preppy Wall Decor, Minimalist Wall Art, Coastal Home Decor

Nautical decor, Black and white coastal art, Lake house decor, Boat decor, Nautical art, Yacht Rope & Cleat

Black and White Parisian Flower Market, Flower Wall Art, Botanical Art, Flower Photography, Floral Nursery Wall Decor, Girly Wall Art

Shibuya Crossing Tokyo Black And White Photography Print Wall Art

Black and White Tree Prints, Scandinavian Print, Tree Prints Wall Art, Modern Minimalist Home Wall Decor, Minimal Print, Home Office Decor

London Street Art Photography Print, Black and White Photo, Graffiti, Urban Wall Art, I am a Unicorn, Rhino Print

Black White Wall Art Pictures, Oak Tree, Black White Matted Tree Wall Picture

Black and White Amalfi Coast Italy, Italian Beach Print, Mediterranean Wall Decor, Italy Travel Photography Coastal Wall Art for Beach House

Black and White Amalfi Coast Print, Positano Italy Poster, Italian Architecture, Travel Photography, Minimal Large Wall Art for Living Room

Poppy Flowers Black and White Photography - Floral Wall Art, Nature Photography, 8x10 16x20, Botanical Art Print

Black and White Daisies Print, Botanical Art, Spring Flowers Nature Photography, Wildflower Floral Wall Decor, Daisy Wall Art for Nursery

Beach Print Black and White Photography Wall Art, Seagulls, Nature photography, Ocean Print, 8x10 16x20 Print, Coastal Wall Art

Flower Photography Set of 12 Prints Black and White Photography, Botanical Prints, Floral Wall Art, Gallery Wall Set, 5x5 8x8 Prints

Beach Gallery Wall Set of Five Prints Black and White Beach Photography Prints / Coastal Wall Art / Beach Decor / Ocean Print Set

Joshua Tree Print, Black And White Photography, Tree Wall Art, Bedroom Canvas Art, Panoramic, Large Wall Art, Southwestern Desert Photo

Black and white photography of a silhouette on the seaside with rocks and an orange rust painted color block Fine art print POLE CORAIL

Surreal Photography, Woman In Water, Minimalist, Black and White, Print, Photo, Wall Decor, Modern Artwork, Modern Home Decor

Mountain Print Black and White, Modern Art Print, Minimalist Print Black and White, Landscape Photography Art Print, California Photo Print

Coastal Cliff Print, Black and White Ocean Wall Art, Neutral Beach Travel Photography, Jurassic Coast, Minimalist Wall Decor for Beach House

Set of 3 Black and White Prints, Mountain Art Print, Minimalist Art Print, Set of 3 Prints, Mountain Landscape Wall Art, Bedroom Print Set

Hawaii Tree Black and White Photography Print • Tree Wall Art • Nature Photography • Bedroom Wall Art • 8x10 11x14 Print

Joshua Tree Photography, Gallery-Quality Desert Print, Landscape Photography, Unframed Wall Art, Made To Order

Mountain Print Black and White, Modern Art Print, Minimalist Print Black and White, Landscape Photography Art Print, California Photo Print

Black and white photography of a silhouette walking in a foggy landscape with a yellow painted color block Fine art print POLE JAUNE

Palm Tree Beach Print, Tropical Wall Decor, Beach House Decor, Black and White Beach Travel Photography, Coastal Wall Art for Living Room

Rome Italy Colosseum Black And White Photography Print

Black and White Boat Print, Coastal Wall Decor, Beach Travel Photography, Whitstable UK England, Nautical Wall Art for Beach House

Landscape Photograph, Black and White Photography, Tree Print, Cypress Trees, Large Wall Art, Gray Nature Living Room Decor // Tree Tunnel

Joshua Tree California Photography, Wall Art Prints, Black And White Photograph, Large Stretched Canvas, Panoramic, Southwestern Home Decor

Joshua Tree National Park Photography, Gallery-Quality Desert Print, Landscape Photography, Unframed Wall Art, Made To Order

Black and White Photography Wooden Boardwalk Print, Contemporary Landscape, Black and White Decor, Office Wall Art, Gray Wall Art

Archway Photography, Archway Print, Black and White Photo Print, Architecture Print, Light, Shadows Photography Digital Download Printable

Laduree Paris Print Black And White Photography

Banana Leaves Print Black and White Photography Print, Contemporary, Botanical Wall Art, Gray Wall Art, 8x10 16x20 Print, Nature Art

Marietta Atlanta Photography print Diner classic diner vintage diner Marietta Georgia

Country Road Print, Black and White Photography, Tree Wall Art, California, Landscape Photography, Road Trip // Misty Road

Matera Italy Print European Village, Black and White Travel Photography, Mediterranean Wall Decor, Large Minimalist Wall Art for Living Room

Seascape photography Child running on a beach Black & White photo with blue watercolor painting Fine Art Print COURSE

Melbourne MCG Black and White Print | Aerial Poster, City Skyline Wall Art Print, Original photography print from Melbourne

Elephant Wall Art Print, Black And White Elephant Photo, African Animals, Fine Art Prints, Large Canvas Wall Art, Africa Wall Decor

Black and White Beach Photography Print - Coastal Decor, Black White Wall Art, Living Room Decor, 8x10 16x20 Nature Photography

Black and White Positano Italy Print, Amalfi Coast Art, Positano Gift, Mediterranean Beach, Italy Photography, Wall Art for Beach House

Stonehenge Print, Black and White England Photography, Salisbury United Kingdom, Architecture Wall Art, Europe Travel Poster, Minimalist

Vintage Photo - Women Surfing on the Beach 1960's Fashion - Photography, Black & White, Wall Art, Home Decor, Print

California Coastal Wall Art - Black and White Photography, Beach Print, Ocean Photography, Landscape, Large Wall Art, Living Room Art

Wheeler's Oyster Bar, Whitstable Kent England, Black and White Travel Photography, Seafood Restaurant, Wall Art for Kitchen or Dining Room

There's so much more for you to discover

Shop by interest

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