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08/23/2007 10:10:37 AM · #1 |
Why shoot B/W, when humans see things in color?
Nostalgia, tradition...
Okay, I mean to include "Convert to B/W", too.
Obviously not shoot as in Non-Digital, film, that's really old IMHO.
When was the last time you watched a B/W TV?
I just wondered what all you B/W enthusiasts think.
I also posted this to the "30 Days Black and White (Sept-2007)" forum.
and copied the text here, which is now corrected.
Message edited by author 2007-08-23 10:50:23. |
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08/23/2007 10:23:38 AM · #2 |
bust post...
Message edited by author 2007-08-24 20:54:56. |
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08/23/2007 10:24:32 AM · #3 |
I never shoot B&W but I will convert when I feel the colours don't work together or that more contrast is needed but destroys the colours in the process.
It also evokes a whole new level of emotion for me as well. Sometimes it provides an old-school feeling, sometimes a desolate feel, and many others.
I really appreciate it alongside colour photography, both have their uses. |
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08/23/2007 10:25:42 AM · #4 |
| Because color hides the secrets. |
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08/23/2007 10:26:07 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by shalrath:
I never shoot B&W but I will convert when I feel the colours don't work together or that more contrast is needed but destroys the colours in the process.
It also evokes a whole new level of emotion for me as well. Sometimes it provides an old-school feeling, sometimes a desolate feel, and many others.
I really appreciate it alongside colour photography, both have their uses. |
Exactly what I think. |
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08/23/2007 10:27:50 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by CEJ:
Originally posted by justamistere:
This is not the thread for replies. |
If this isn't the thread for replies, where is it then? |
I also posted this to the "30 Days Black and White (Sept-2007)" forum.
and copied the text here, which is now corrected. |
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08/23/2007 10:28:13 AM · #7 |
| There is a magic that occurs when you watch your b&w print come alive in the developer. The same rush doesn't occur for me sitting in front of a computer. Must be the chemical fumes. |
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08/23/2007 10:29:25 AM · #8 |
| Color can be a distraction in some shots - when the intent of a photograph is to represent a study of light, or shadow, or shape, I find b&w focuses the eye on the "essentials" for that particular shot; it's not everything (composition is crucial too) but it plays a part. |
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08/23/2007 10:29:52 AM · #9 |
That is so easy to answer.
When looking at an image, particularly one that you are trying to invoke a mood or emotion, black & white is most often the way to do it. Why? When you look at color, the brain goes into overtime looking at and processing all the colors, which takes away from the impact of the image. It may only take a billionth of a second, but in subconscious terms, it makes or breaks the emotional punch.
As an example, look at these shots in color & b&w and see if I'm right:
(open each and switch between them in the task bar)
  (granted the crop is diff too on this one)
 
 
 
I could go on for days, but do you see the difference in impact a shot has in black & white? The backgrounds are no longer a distraction and your brain & eyes wander less, trying to process all the elements and colors.
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08/23/2007 10:29:57 AM · #10 |
An interesting question -
I personally like B/W because it takes away distraction of color and focuses clearly on the light and the texture.
B/W can be used very well and very poorly, but it is a great medium to learn about light and composition of a shot. Most beginning photography courses start with b/w media - not simply because it is easier to develop b/w, but because it focuses on the light -not the color.
When I shoot specifically for b/w, I have found that I shoot differently (often, actually better) and focus on how the light and shadows interact with a scene or subject. Using digital, we get the best of both worlds, being able to process it as either b/w or color. |
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08/23/2007 10:34:57 AM · #11 |
Because I'm spastic and screw the colours up.
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08/23/2007 10:37:19 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Because I'm spastic... |
We knew that already! ;) :D |
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08/23/2007 10:46:09 AM · #13 |
B&W is more dramatic IMHO I never actually SHOOT in B&W, no point, but I do convert a lot of my images to B&W. Loved it with film, lovin it with Digital too.
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08/23/2007 10:52:43 AM · #14 |
| I agree w/ what has been said already about the color in a photo can be a distraction in some shots. B&W takes attention off of the colors, which the human eye & brain tend to eat up like candy, and turn the focus to light, shadows and even to composition. B&W isn't for all photos but the right photo I feel can have much more impact when in b/w, imo. |
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08/23/2007 10:53:17 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by krnodil:
Color can be a distraction in some shots - when the intent of a photograph is to represent a study of light, or shadow, or shape, I find b&w focuses the eye on the "essentials" for that particular shot; it's not everything (composition is crucial too) but it plays a part. |
Originally posted by shalrath:
I never shoot B&W but I will convert when I feel the colours don't work together or that more contrast is needed but destroys the colours in the process.
It also evokes a whole new level of emotion for me as well. Sometimes it provides an old-school feeling, sometimes a desolate feel, and many others.
I really appreciate it alongside colour photography, both have their uses. |
Tell me more of it's uses, unless it's been already mentioned.
So it's great as a learning tool.
Emphasizes Light and Shadow better, the magic of 2D graphic medium, called photographs. Yes it would have to for greyscale.
I looked at the "Brad-Test" above. I preferred the Color one. I had no noticeable speed in recognition over Color, would have to try a dozen "Flash cards" and see what I can recall about them.
How many of you would rather see photos on a Monochrome monitor of yesteryear.
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08/23/2007 11:07:01 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by justamistere:
Why shoot B/W, when humans see things in color? |
None of the arts can survive that dependent clause.
Why write in sentences, when humans speak in fragmented phrases?
Why take photographs, when humans see things three dimensionally with two eyes? You should use a stereopticon.
Why make movies or write stories, when life is a streaming, plotless experience?
Why play music on a scale, when humans can hear all the noise between notes?
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08/23/2007 11:13:28 AM · #17 |
Someone once told me I shouldn't do as many of the band photos I had done in black and white. I argued that color often tends to catch the eye real quick, but black and white seems to pull out more details and leaves me examining it longer.
(LINK TO LARGER VERSION)
The color picture had a background that pulled the attention away from the singer. Also, the contrast of the sweat/highlights on his face came out a lot more clear in the BW version. Ill try to post the color for comparison when i get home. |
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08/23/2007 11:16:03 AM · #18 |
What was your intent with this image? Why b&w here?
You have produced a b&w photo, so there have been times when you've used it - what is your answer to your own question? Did you do it to learn something about light and shadow, or did you do it for other reasons?
Honestly not trying to put you on the spot, I'm just curious as to what you think yourself... |
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08/23/2007 11:33:54 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by justamistere:
.
When was the last time you watched a B/W TV?
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I don't have a TV, but I watched part of a bw movie two days ago.
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08/23/2007 11:35:57 AM · #20 |
Sometimes colors can distract from the subject. Sometimes the lack of color and add to the subject.
Also, you don't have to deal with white balance in black and white. |
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08/23/2007 11:40:07 AM · #21 |
I'm going to do everything in greyscale just to p!ss you off, mr. E. ;P
Message edited by author 2007-08-23 11:46:27. |
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08/23/2007 11:53:04 AM · #22 |
I shoot in B&W when I want to emphasize in a given message in my photo. I believe that colors can be distracting sometimes and take away from certain photos. The examples above are perfect examples of why I do it.
Besides, I started shooting in B&W. Ansel used to shoot mainly in B&W and he did an awesome job. :)
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08/24/2007 08:33:17 PM · #23 |
John, for me B&W is nothing but tone, textures, light and shadow, it conveys emotion better than color (again for me, others I am sure will disagree) It's more basic, raw, and intense. Done correctly it can have the feel of an almost forgotten memory, which I like...Also the first few hunred rolls of film I shot was in B&W because that was all we could use in the yearbook in school so I got very comfortable with "seeing" in B&W, looking for the contrasts and tonal range in a shot. Just my 2 cents...
Jack
Message edited by author 2007-08-24 20:35:59. |
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08/24/2007 08:59:23 PM · #24 |
| Waal, black and white is different... Ainsi, pourquoi pas? Back in film days I took some really good shots of people in BW; to date not one of my colour shots, film or digital, begins to measure up to them. Colour is for sure a distraction. When I think about it, I prefer a painting in colour to a colour photograph. Colour is of course delightful, but does not "belong" to things, though I guess you could say that about light and dark. I do find the difference fascinating insofar as I never have (or will?) really understood it. |
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08/24/2007 09:16:32 PM · #25 |
Color gets a bad rap. Just three from my favs list.
I'd say all three of these would lose something from an emotional standpoint had they been b/w.
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