In the decades leading up to the 1950s, color photography technology was limited and expensive, resulting in the prevalence of black and white photography during this era. While the first practical color photograph was demonstrated in 1861, the process was complex and not widely adopted. It wasn't until the early 20th century that more accessible color photography techniques, such as the Autochrome process, were introduced. However, these early color photographs were still quite costly and time-consuming to produce, making them inaccessible to the average photographer.
Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, the majority of photographs were captured in black and white. This was due to several factors, including the high cost of color film, the technical challenges associated with color photography, and the aesthetic preferences of many photographers and artists at the time. Black and white photography was seen as more timeless and artistic, and many photographers, such as Ansel Adams and Walker Evans, championed its use. It wasn't until the late 1950s and 1960s that color photography began to gain wider acceptance and become more affordable and accessible to the general public.