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02/08/2007 09:56:41 PM · #1 |
I am constantly amazed at the difference converting something to black and white can have on an image.
Why?
Personally i find that a black and white image conveys a lot more emotion than anything, but why?
Do you think its reasoning could be attributed to the fact that a colour image has already given your brain the information it needs to 'see' the image as it was meant to be seen and a black and white image allows you the freedom to interpret the image the way you want it to be seen ? Does this make any sense ? |
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02/08/2007 10:19:58 PM · #2 |
my opinion:
while a color image can paint a scene, a b/w image shows the scene in a way which the human eye isnt accustomed to seeing. How often do you see only in b/w. This is one of the hardest parts of photography... seeing the world not in just colors, but seeing the world as a painting of light. As a photographer its your job to capture that light, the highlights, and the shadows, the midtones and the negative space.
So to answer your question, i dont beleive that black and white images convey more emotion, they convey more of a story. And the reason why this story is unique is because of the highlights and shadows.
A photographers job is not to capture the scene, a photographers job is to capture the light, and the most basic form of this, is black and white photography.
-Dan |
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02/08/2007 10:24:38 PM · #3 |
I also believe that sometimes black and white can simplify a scene, just the same as snow does if it blankets a landscape. In that, a viewer is not distracted and their attention isn't taken away from the form and tones of the image towards color.
Black and white can sometimes mature an image, although this is not always true. There are many images that would not be improved by conversion to black and white. However there are many subjects that lend themselves well to this type of conversion.
Except the times when I know in advance that I want a shot to specifically be in color or in black and white, I will at least try to convert to black and white using a couple different methods if I believe that the color is not adding anything crucial to the image. As I said, sometimes color can be a distractor and so by converting to black and white it may be easier to get across a point or an image to a viewer.
Just a couple thoughts,
Lee
Edit: speeling
Message edited by author 2007-02-08 22:29:03.
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02/08/2007 10:58:25 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Axleuk:
Why? |
some people (untrained ones, especially) perceives black & white photos to be more "professional" due to lack of a better word. |
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02/08/2007 11:19:13 PM · #5 |
colour = clothes
b + w = nude
colour = entertainment, consumption and dizzy with it
b + w = binary code
colour = lips, nails, pigment, eye shadow
b + w = neck, shoulder, ear
colour = smear, strawberries
b + w = ruler, bicycle, paper
colour = whore, advertising executive
b + w = woman, man
colour = fabulous, out of this world, wow
b + w = magical, poetic, true
etc. |
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