About Black and White Baba
Black and White Baba (BWB) was born from a lifelong engagement with light, shadow, and the human presence within them.
This is not fast photography. This is not trend-led work. This is portraiture as reflection. . I do not chase expressions or moments. I allow silence, discomfort, and stillness to surface what is authentic.
Black-and-white removes the noise of color. Alternative printing restores permanence. Together, they transform photographs into artifacts. Every portrait I make is intended to outlive its time — to be seen by people who were never present when it was created.
Each commission is approached as a personal collaboration, designed to move beyond posing toward stillness and emotional honesty.
The practice
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Over a decade of focused black-and-white work
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Portraits of individuals, families, and cultural narratives
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Analog-first approach for legacy commissions
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Dedicated fine-art print studio
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Platinum palladium, gum oil, gum bichromate, and cyanotype printing
Who this is for
BWB works with:
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Individuals seeking authentic self-portraits
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Families documenting generations
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Patrons who value craftsmanship and permanence
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Clients who see photography as legacy, not content
Why Black and White Baba
In a world saturated with images, very few photographs endure. Black and White Baba exists for those who want portraits that slow time, hold presence, memory, and identity beyond the moment they were made.
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Dedicated black-and-white portrait practice, a conscious artistic choice
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Slow, guided portrait sessions
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Analog and digital mastery
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In-house fine art printing studio for archival processes like platinum palladium, gum oil, gum bichromate, and cyanotype for century-long longevity
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Limited commissions, personal involvement
A note on personal work
Alongside commissioned portrait work, I maintain an independent personal practice under my name, Karthik Samprathi.
This body of work is rooted in long-term observation, fine-art black-and-white photography, and handcrafted alternative printing processes. It informs the philosophy, restraint, and craft that shape BWB—but remains a separate, personal exploration.
BWB exists exclusively for private, commissioned portrait experiences.