Shades of Grey: The Best Black and White Photography From Across Canada

Colour often steals the spotlight, but there's something elegant and understated about black and white photography. Here are 25 breathtaking shots of Canada captured in glorious greyscale.

1 / 25
Woman in field
Photo: Helen Rempel

Storm warning

This incredible shot looks like a modern, black-and-white version of an Andrew Wyeth painting. Taken near Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, photographer Helen Rempel used a self-timer as she stood at the edge of a canola field.

2 / 25
Battle island lighthouse
Photo: Richard Main

Beacon of hope

The Maritimes don’t have a monopoly on lighthouses! Richard Main really nailed the vibe of our Theme Pic Challenge with this gorgeous photo of the Battle Island Lighthouse on Lake Superior.

3 / 25
Crowsnest Mountain
Photo: Tracey Halladay

Peak potential

Alberta’s Crowsnest Mountain has never looked more majestic than it does here. A truly awe-inspiring photo—thanks for sharing, Tracey!

How well do you know your peaks? Take our Canadian Rockies quiz and find out!

4 / 25
Moon at Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo: Wes Tollefson

Silent protector

According to Indigenous legend, the moon guards the earth at night and has the ability to change the moods and thoughts of humans. With this photo, Wes Tollefson captures the moon in all its amazing and unknowable glory.

Check out more fantastic moon photography.

5 / 25
Lake near Mattawa Adventure Camp
Photo: Tanya Allen

Lake, eerie

Photographer Tanya Allen of Ontario took this serene (yet undeniably spooky) shot from the docks at the Mattawa Adventure Camp on a cool and foggy Thanskgiving weekend.

If this atmospheric photo fires your imagination, you won’t want to miss our roundup of the Canada’s most haunted places.

6 / 25
Mother and son walking at dusk
Photo: Aiden Mahoney

Mother and son

Nothing says happiness like some quality family time. Alden Mahoney snapped this shot of his wife and son walking at dusk on Deadman’s Cove Beach in Newfoundland.

Here, 50 Canadians reveal what their “happy place” looks like.

7 / 25
Alberta landscape
Photo: Darlene Wuenschel

Field of dreams

The fascinating thing about a black-and-white landscape photograph is that it’s hard to tell whether it was taken yesterday, or 100 years ago. A striking testament to Alberta’s rich agricultural history.

Read the heartwarming story of one Alberta family’s farming traditions.

8 / 25
dale-matthies-train-station
Photo: Dale Matthies

Station to station

Photographer Dale Matthies found black-and-white photo inspiration in the old Beach Street Station Restaurant in Goderich, Ontario.

Here are 10 must-try Canadian dishes—and the best places to find them.

9 / 25
Maple leaves
Photo: Kim MacDonald Cameron

Under the canopy

We might be biased, but we’ve never seen a maple leaf we didn’t love. Kim MacDonald Cameron took this stirring photo during a visit to Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Check out 50 of the most beautiful parks across Canada.

10 / 25
Classic car at waterfront
Photo: Dave Carnahan

Hot rod

Anyone in the mood for a race? Dave Carnahan of Ontario took this photograph at Cobourg’s waterfront, where a selection of vintage and classic cars can often be seen cruising.

How well do you know your classics? Take our vintage cars quiz and find out!

11 / 25
Man cutting wood
Photo: Linda Sweeney

Burning ambition

Linda Sweeney of New Brunswick writes: “My husband doing what loves to do in his retirement years—splitting next year’s wood!” He’s done a great job by the looks of it!

Find out what it was like logging in Quebec in the 1940s.

12 / 25
Old gears
Photo: Sean Donnelly

Gearing up

The black-and-white theme inspired photographer Sean Donnelly of Sarnia, Ontario, to take this high-contrast (and amazingly detailed) shot of worn-out gears.

Check out more of Sean’s snaps in this gallery of gorgeous rainbows across Canada.

13 / 25
Railway tracks
Photo: Cindy Herbert

Round the bend

This postcard-perfect image of winding railroad tracks was captured by Welland, Ontario’s Cindy Herbert.

You’ll find more of Cindy’s artful images in this gallery of beautiful boat photography.

14 / 25
Snow covered farmhouse
Photo: Linda Koopmans

Frosted delight

What a stunning shot! This farmhouse, located in Bloomsbury, Alberta, looks as if it’s being held prisoner by those frost-covered trees. Great eye, Linda!

Check out more striking photography of winter in Alberta.

15 / 25
Old buggy in barn
Photo: Wes Tollefson

Mint condition

Wes Tollefson of Saskatchewan captured this shot of an old buggy in storage. That must be quite the garage—although it’s certainly antique, the buggy looks brands new!

You won’t believe these incredible (true!) stories of treasures found in old barns.

16 / 25
Cowboy at farm
Photo: Janice Storch

Ranch life

Janice Storch used black-and-white to her advantage by capturing this slice of life in rural Alberta. Who else wants to be a cowboy for a day?

Here’s what it’s like harvesting in the Canadian heartland.

17 / 25
Owl perched on fence
Photo: Jim Stickel

Keeping a watchful eye

Photographer Jim Stickel of Alberta captured this shot of a stoic owl perched on a fence post during a chinook in the south of the province.

Don’t miss this roundup of our favourite Canadian bird stories.

18 / 25
Cat seated next to car at farm
Photo: Deb Sandau

Moment in the spotlight

Photographer Deb Sandau grabbed her camera to take this cute shot of Angel, the farm cat. Judging by her perfect pose, she might have a star on her hands.

Here are more of Canada’s cutest pets.

19 / 25
Jaguar at Toronto Zoo
Photo: Karen Allin

Seeing spots

Although you might think photographer Karen Allin captured this spectacular wildlife shot on safari, she didn’t have to travel any further than the Toronto Zoo!

Check out 10 of the best day trips from Toronto.

20 / 25
Icy Trees at Rice Lake, Ont.
Photo: Norma Keith

Winter wonderland

Canadian winters can often be brutal, but Norma Keith’s photograph of a peaceful, ice-covered lane proves there’s beauty to be found in the bone-chilling cold.

Here are 50 more shots that celebrate the beauty of the Canadian winter.

21 / 25
Iceberg at Cape Bonavista
Photo: Wilmar Chopyk

What lies beneath

Photographer Wilmar Chopyk was lucky enough to get a glimpse of this passing iceberg at Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland. These vast chunks of freshwater ice attract huge crowds in the province every year. Great timing, Wilmar!

Here are more awe-inspiring natural wonders across Canada.

22 / 25
Low angle of railroad
Photo: Bailey Beatrice Holliday

On the tracks

No longer in use, the Vancouver Island Railway runs from Victoria to Courtenay, where this shot was taken. Photographer Bailey Beatrice Holliday writes, “This railroad is an amazing testament to the history of the Island.”

Check out more incredible railway photography.

23 / 25
Cows heading out to pasture
Photo: Cathy Martin

Till the cows come home

Photographer Cathy Martin snapped this lovely shot of dairy cows heading out to pasture in the early morning in Napan, New Brunswick.

Don’t miss this showcase of beautiful barns across Canada.

24 / 25
Bay of Fundy
Photo: Roger Lafontaine

Bay of Fundy

What a view! Photographer Roger Lafontaine writes: “While waiting for the high tide to go kayaking, we took a walk by the Hopewell Rocks and took a few pictures from the lookout tower near by.” Thanks for sharing, Roger!

Psst—the Bay of Fundy also made our countdown of the best places to see fall foliage across Canada!

25 / 25
Abandoned house in rural Ontario
Photo: Doug Burlock

Enter… If you dare!

Photographer Doug Burlock’s shot of an abandoned farmhouse in rural Ontario is daring you to explore the mysteries within. The cavernous trees make it even more creepy!

If you enjoyed this collection of black and white photography, you’ll love these hauntingly beautiful photos from across Canada.

Originally Published on ourcanada.ca

Newsletter Unit