This is how David White explained digital black and white
Written by duckrabbitphotography to duckrabbit.
Reason why I bring this up, is because it really helped deal with some of my negative emotions about black and white photography, especially the fact that so many people ‘black and white’ their photos of developing countries.
When people had film they made a decision, to shoot either color (when it was available) or black and white.  Now they have the same choice, except they  make that choice after the photo has been taken.  In that sense its no more or less a manipulation than before, just a matter of aesthetic.
OK its stating the bleeding obvious, but sometimes the bleeding obvious can be a revelation to an idiot  like me.
Author — duckrabbit
duckrabbit is a production company formed by radio producer/journalist Benjamin Chesterton and photographer David White. We specialize in digital storytelling.