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.
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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.
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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.
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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
A note on personal work
Alongside commissioned portrait work, I maintain an independent personal practice under my name, Karthik Samprathi.
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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.
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BWB exists exclusively for private, commissioned portrait experiences.