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Since Kodak film in 1937 photographers had one way to share their photos of the world with us and that was in black and white. Since then one would logically expect the black and white genre to have declined in popularity but it remains a natural choice for most photographers.
Think about the format.
In my opinion, a better option is to shoot everything in color with RAW selected and use photo editing software ( like Carmera Raw ) to convert your picture to monochrome later. This gives you total control over the amount of contrast in the image and the overall look is up to you. This way you get the benefit of seeing your pictures in black and white immediately while still having the flexibility of a RAW file.
Simplify and refine.
The most notable qualities of black and white photography is to simplify a scene. What might have been a colourful distraction in the background becomes much less intrusive when the color is removed. Keep this in mind as you may find you are able to shoot scenes you would have rejected in color. Try looking for structure because architectural subjects seek out lines and patterns and the removal of color boils the image down to its simplest elements and a city scene can become a dramatic study in structure and form
Use light and contrast.
The best approach is to look for light and contrast. A scene that might seem too contrasty and garish in color can be perfect for black and white. Remember a black and white image is simply a collection of grey tones, from the very brightest white to the darkest black. If all these tones are bunched up in the middle it can make for a flat picture. However, an image containing a wider range of tones can be more dynamic. So when shooting, look out for contrasts in light and shade and notice how much more drama this can add to a photograph.
Hunt out textures.
Finding textures is interesting, I often find myself shooting what must appear unusual subjects, like a textured paint. But textures can become even more interesting in black and white, so keep your eyes open to textural possibilities. This is where light can be important too. An interesting texture that’s lit straight on can become a boring image. However add some sidelight and it will be a totally different.
Try a journalistic Style.
Why not try to document a scene in black and white? Black and white has always been popular for street photography and it’s a great choice when taking candid shots of people. You don’t need to find a special event, just look for interesting as locations to document people. Look for strong subjects with interesting characters and with dramatic lighting, Then see how black and white can remove distractions and simplify the scene.
Learn from others.
Studying pictures taken by the very best photographers is a good way to learn what style of monochrome photography appeals to you most. Ansel Adams is arguably the most iconic landscape photographer of all time. He was a master printer too and I would urge you to study his work online in detail.