So don't set out and try to shoot a high contrast shot unless you find a good opportunity with the right lighting. Try shooting on an overcast day. It will soften the whites and blacks and result in a B&W image with more depth and gradient between the light and shadows.

Go for the emotion… For many artists, the appeal of shooting in black and white is, quite simply, that they feel it is more emotive. It doesn't take an art critic to notice that black and white photos are often more dramatic than their color counterparts.

Black and white film can also capture details in highlights and shadows that might be lost in colour photography, resulting in more subtle and nuanced images. Another advantage of shooting with black and white film is that it allows you to focus on composition and subject matter without the distractions of colour.