There is the joke that every photograph becomes “art” if it is in black and white. The joke exists for a reason – a lot of pictures that are boring in color become much more interesting in black and white, taking on a new life.
Even though I am a magpie, and am continually drawn to bright colors, the fact is, in art, colors can often confuse me and distract me when I try to work with them. Paintings end in disaster because of a lack of self-control, and nowadays, a lack of experience and skill.
Maybe that is why I keep coming back to sumi-e – there are not the decisions to make about color, but only gradation and loading the brush.
When I think about what I like in black and white photography, it varies. One thing which I love in B&W is its graphic nature. In contrasty pictures, lines can make the eye wander in and out in ways color does not.
Color is subtle, and more luxurious. Soft B&W, with long scale and low contrast, is akin to color because it is more dreamy, and requires more emotional investment.
I like the drama of contrasts which, for me, is the same as a loud noise – startling, awakening, even traumatic.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Black and white is great. I’m red/green/brown colourblind, so when I shoot black and white I know I’m seeing exactly what my audience are seeing.
You miss a lot without color, but you also miss a lot with color – or at least I do – because I am so enamored with it. B&W is wonderful for focusing on what makes up the picture. I like high key photography, too, because it points to an essence of something, or a suggestion, rather than all the details that are there. Extremely dark is the same way.
Thanks for coming by!