Black and White Portraits of the Last Decade

The last decade hasn’t been solely about landscape photography. Along the way, a mix of chance encounters and fortunate opportunities opened doors into the music and film industries resulting in a body of black and white portraits that sits comfortably alongside images of mountains and coastlines.

Black and white portraits present a very different challenge from photographing landscapes. Mountains are patient; people are not. Expressions change in an instant, light shifts across a face rather than a ridge line, and timing becomes critical. Stepping into this genre has been a valuable way to push beyond my comfort zone and develop a more instinctive approach to photography.

Black and White Portraits: Approach and Technique

The portraits featured here are candid by design. Of the ten images, only four involve direct eye contact with the camera. While most Fujifilm cameras offer excellent face and eye detection autofocus, I prefer to retain full control over the focal point especially in fast-moving, unscripted situations. Manually choosing focus allows me to respond to gesture, posture, and light rather than relying on automation.

If you regularly use eye tracking for portrait work, I’d be interested to hear about your experiences—feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

All of the images below were processed in Adobe Lightroom using the FlixelPix Black and White Lightroom Presets, which help maintain strong contrast while preserving natural skin tones and texture.

1. Kyle John Suckling

Singer, songwriter, and producer Kyle John Suckling has worked with artists across the globe and released several solo albums in recent years. A highly accomplished musician, Kyle is often found exploring the Mourne Mountains with myself and Davy Watson when not in the studio.

Kyle John Suckling – Black and White Portraits:

2. Peter J. McCauley

Peter J. McCauley is the voice behind Rams’ Pocket Radio and a respected solo artist in his own right. At the time of this portrait, he was touring with Northern Ireland’s Foy Vance.

Peter J. McCauley – Black and White Portraits:

3. James Price

There is very little about coffee that James Price doesn’t know. This portrait was captured at the White Star Coffee roasting unit in Belfast, surrounded by the tools and environment of his craft.

James Price – White Star Coffee, Belfast: Black and White Portraits:

4. Michael Mormecha

A multi-talented musician, Michael Mormecha is the lead singer of Northern Irish band Mojo Fury. Alongside his band work, he has enjoyed considerable success as a solo artist and producer and regularly performs with Lisburn-based artist Amy Montgomery. This image was taken during a session connected to his album artwork.

Michael Mormecha – Black and White Portraits

5. James Lyttle

Another accomplished music producer from Lisburn, James Lyttle is a master of multiple instruments and plays guitar and keyboards for Mojo Fury. This portrait was captured on Tyrella Beach, County Down, with the open coastline providing a stark, minimalist backdrop.

James Lyttle – Mojo Fury

6. Jim Broadbent

Jim Broadbent requires little introduction, having appeared in an extensive range of television dramas and feature films. This portrait was captured backstage at Belfast’s BigIF event using the Fujifilm X100.

Jim Broadbent – Backstage Portrait

7. Richard Dormer

Also photographed backstage at BigIF, Richard Dormer is known for roles in Fortitude, Game of Thrones, and Good Vibrations. A native of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Richard’s presence made for a particularly compelling candid portrait.

Richard Dormer – Black and White Portrait

8. Ernie McMillan

Previously featured in The Guitar Maker, Ernie McMillan is a master luthier based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland. His workbench and instruments provide a rich visual context for portraiture.

Ernie McMillan – Luthier

9. Lalor Roddy

Lalor Roddy has appeared in numerous television and feature film productions. This image was captured on set during the filming of Even Gods.

Lalor Roddy – Actor

10. Paul Caddell

Belfast-based actor Paul Caddell appeared as Jack in Game of Thrones, joining the cast as a guest star in the second season. This portrait was taken on the set of the short film Even Gods.

Paul Caddell – Black and White Portrait

Closing Thoughts

These images represent just a small selection of the black and white portraits captured with the Fujifilm X100 series over the years. Portraiture continues to be an evolving and rewarding complement to my landscape work one that relies on trust, timing, and observation rather than terrain and weather.

To see future updates, new portrait work, and behind-the-scenes projects, consider subscribing to the site or following along on Instagram.

Links

The full FlixelPix Portrait Gallery
5 Essential Accessories for the Fujifilm X-E5