Why I Switched to Full Black and White Photography
Hey friends, I wanted to share a personal decision I made recently that’s changed the way I approach photography. After a lot of thought, I’ve committed to shooting exclusively in black and white. This isn’t some grand statement or advice for anyone else, just something that feels right for me and the way I want to work.
By shooting only in black and white, I find a certain clarity—it simplifies everything. I also only shoot in JPG now, which keeps my workflow seamless. I treat my cameras like they’re monochrome-only, which means I’m always thinking in black and white, and I don’t second-guess myself with color later on. This helps me focus all my energy on the things that matter most to me—storytelling through street photography and portraits—without the distractions that color can sometimes bring.
For me, the decision to let go of color was more about gaining consistency in my vision. There’s something freeing about that renunciation. It’s not about better or worse, but by stripping things back to black and white, I’ve found it allows me to focus entirely on the emotions, expressions, and structure of the image.
It’s also my way of staying true to what I love about street photography, especially in a world where so much is shot in color for festivals and awards. I wanted to carve my own path, and this just feels like the most honest way for me to do that.
Again, this is just what works for me—everyone’s journey in photography is different—but for now, this is mine.
For the friends of strkng
It has been a while. I back to write a blog here just to share part of my work as a portrait photographer. i hope you can appreciate, dear readers of this blog.
A striking alike photograph
I think this photo is one of those who may like it on this platform. If I've learned to understand the philosophy of this social network, I shouldn't be wrong.
In the larger picture of street photography this photo may be a cliche yet still captures a lot of this type of image. Obviously I was led to its realization for the good light, but there are in this rigorous composition on a formal level of numbers and lines and elements that make me recognize the lesson learned from Gestalt psychology.
Canon EOS M200 for my Street Photography
The complete move to Canon for digital is now complete. And it is the Canon EOS M200 that goes with my two DSLRs.
A camera presented for creators, especially YouTubers but I see a lot of potential for street photography. In fact, due to the minimalist design of the body, squared and inconspicuous reminds me of Ricoh GR.
Currently I only have the 15-45mm kit lens which is not the best, but certainly better than the lenses they usually offer you when you buy the camera, but the next purchase will be the 22mm lens which is a 35.2mm equivalent. And that lens is essentially the main reason for my decision to get a Canon M, in fact the pancake lens of Canon DSLRs is the 24mm that is equivalent in FF to a 38.4mm.
I bet on this camera: I can't wait to share with you the next photos!
In the middle of the year
We almost arrived to mid year.
Photography I celebrate is mine. My street photography. A humanist and documentary photography, which really lives in the moment, without ruminating excessively on how to shoot. "Be quick or be dead" Iron Maiden sang. And borrowing it I can say be quick or your photography will be dead, or rather dull, devoid of that fresh and imponderable energy that only the street can give.
I had three great masters of photography. their names are Rome (Italy, my hometown), Los Angeles and Mexico City.
I owe everything I do and who I am today to them.
Day of the Dead Photography Expedition in Oaxaca
These 8 days in Oaxaca with Alex Coghe during the traditional celebrations of Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) are a fantastic expedition and human experience.Montag, 28.10. 07:40h - Montag, 04.11. 07:40h
Oaxaca
Mexiko / Nordamerika
OCTOBER 28TH- NOVEMBER 4TH, OAXACA DE JUAREZ (OAXACA), MEXICO
THIS EXPERIENCE IS RESERVED TO A GROUP OF MAXIMUMM 4 PARTICIPANTS. BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY.
EARLY BIRD INSCRIPTIONS UNTIL APRIL 30, 2024 DISCOUNT PRICE 3000 US$
DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
Tuition in English, Italian, Spanish language.
Max. 4 students.
***BEST SELLING EXPERIENCE MAKING THIS WORKSHOP IN OAXACA SINCE 2015***
Join acclaimed street photographer Alex Coghe and take your photography to the next level.
Alex will review your work and during the workshop he will guide you, taking photographs together, in classic places of the city and the surrounding villages, but also in places not beaten by tourists,.thanks to his experience and knowledge of Oaxaca, a place that Alex loves and which is a bit like his second home. Without neglecting the possibility of taking photographs of all kinds from portraits to documentary, this workshop will focus on street photography, a genre that Alex dominates and of which he boasts an experience of over 15 years that has led him to photograph in different places in the world, even in those considered the most difficult and dangerous.
During this intense and full immersion experience, Alex will identify your photographic inclinations but he will also inspire you to go outside your comfort zone, trying several approaches and techniques with the end goal to make you a better photographer, with a personal vision.
Thanks to the daily reviews you will have the opportunity to learn how to read a photograph and how to recognize the elements making a good photograph . Alex also will show you techniques to shoot at night in the festivities around Oaxaca, with or without a flash. He will show you how using the flash or choosing extreme exposure combinations, working on shutter speed, can be used creatively to give you images with a strong emotional impact.
Thanks to his experience and his character, as an open and cheerful person, Alex will make you experience the workshop with a good vibe, with moments full of fun, and therefore it is certainly a workshop where the learning of the proposed subject is put at the center but always with the attention to live this experience well, in friendship and where human contact plays a fundamental role.
This workshop is for all levels. A laptop and SDHC memories are required to all the participants. Any camera is accepted.
THE COST INCLUDES: Tuition, e-books, certificate, exclusive print, professional portfolio review, mentoring program, FEATURE on THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY CHANNEL on YouTube.
PLEASE NOTE: WE DON’T PROVIDE ANYMORE ACCOMODATIONS BECAUSE WE WANT TO AVOID PEOPLE THINKING TO DO A VACATION AND NOT INTERESTED IN THE WORKSHOP. WE CAN RECOMMEND HOTELS ON THE LOCATION OF THE EXPEDITION. WE WILL COUNT WITH A NICE MEETING POINT FOR OUR BRIEFINGS AND FEEDBACK.
For more info, please contact me by sending me an email to: [email protected]
Event created by Alex Coghe / 2024-09-27 15:47:02
Link: Montag, 28.10. 07:40h - Montag, 04.11. 07:40h / Day of the Dead Photography Expedition in Oaxaca| These 8 days in Oaxaca with Alex Coghe during the traditional celebrations of Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) are a fantastic expedition and human experience.
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Kontakt
- Info Photographer Alex Coghe
- 2024-09-27T15:56:14+02:00
- 2024-09-27T15:56:14+02:00
Documentary Street Photographer. Specialising in portraits.
Street Photography Workshops and Expeditions in Mexico.
Recognized street and portrait photographer known for his bold, raw, and unapologetic approach to visual storytelling. Specializing in black-and-white photography, Alex brings an artistic edge to both street and environmental portraiture, where every shot is a study of human emotion, urban landscapes, and the dynamic relationship between people and their surroundings.
With a career that spans decades, Alex’s work stands out for its authenticity and simplicity. He believes in the power of reduction—stripping away distractions, both literally and figuratively, to focus on the essence of the scene. Whether he's capturing the gritty streets of Mexico City or composing a striking environmental portrait, his black-and-white imagery drives straight to the heart, telling stories that transcend trends and time.
Beyond his work behind the camera, Alex is a mentor, author, and YouTuber, sharing his vast knowledge of photography with a growing global community. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of artistic integrity and personal vision over following the commercialized conventions of the photography world. For Alex, photography is not just a profession, but a way of life—a continuous exploration of light, shadow, emotion, and form.
Through his workshops, masterclasses, and published works, Alex inspires photographers at every level to embrace their own creative instincts, and to pursue photography with passion and purpose. His ongoing project, MONOCHROM MAGAZINE, reflects his deep commitment to black-and-white photography, providing a platform for artists who share his vision.
Alex Coghe's unique ability to blend art and storytelling makes him a sought-after figure in both street and portrait photography, positioning him as one of the voices pushing the boundaries of contemporary visual culture.