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DPChallenge Forums >> Challenge Results >> What's With B&W's with Old People?
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Showing posts 1 - 25 of 57, (reverse)
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04/25/2012 06:56:18 AM · #1
Why is it that this site is so obsessed with black and whites with wrinkled old people? I know the site is very flawed (like all of us right)? But this obsession with this style of photography is considerably over-the-top. Taking a B&W with some old creepy person does not make it a good photography, but every time I see one in a challenge now I know it will score high. Again, the voting on this site is flawed, we all know, but hello?
04/25/2012 07:06:47 AM · #2
I feel old this morning.
04/25/2012 07:22:02 AM · #3
im with you, i dont get it either.

04/25/2012 07:25:53 AM · #4
I love b&w's of wrinkled old people. Maybe you have to be old to appreciate them?
04/25/2012 07:28:23 AM · #5
It's a preference thing. I like very much.

You like macros? Wine glasses? Water drops? Why not extend to landscapes, portraiture, sport too? Lots of people don't. What's with liking them?

I don't think just any old person shot will do well just because it is in black and white either though. I don't think it is worth trying to figure out why some people like things you don't. You can only judge off your standard, and in their opinions... simply put... its wrong.

Message edited by author 2012-04-25 07:31:05.
04/25/2012 07:30:27 AM · #6
I agree. It is frustrating when you try to integrate the concept or theme of the challenge only to see a shot B/W shot out score yours that isn't even relevant to the theme.
04/25/2012 07:33:18 AM · #7
Originally posted by norsecam:

I agree. It is frustrating when you try to integrate the concept or theme of the challenge only to see a shot B/W shot out score yours that isn't even relevant to the theme.

Can you give an example?
04/25/2012 07:33:21 AM · #8
What about a color shot of an old person. :)

04/25/2012 07:45:52 AM · #9
Originally posted by wwjdwithca:

Why is it that this site is so obsessed with black and whites with wrinkled old people? I know the site is very flawed (like all of us right)? But this obsession with this style of photography is considerably over-the-top. Taking a B&W with some old creepy person does not make it a good photography, but every time I see one in a challenge now I know it will score high. Again, the voting on this site is flawed, we all know, but hello?

My girlfriend did this shot of this wrinkled old person and it ribboned.....



It's me......and if you don't like it, I'll come see you and beat the sh*t out of you with my cane!

Pesky, young whippersnappers!
04/25/2012 08:49:56 AM · #10
B/W emphasizes detail and texture. Many people like such photos to focus on that. I am one of the guilty parties, (A collection I call "old timers with big mustaches")but such pics just seem to often work better and have more impact in mono. Mono also minimizes brightly colored background distractions.

In this case, I just thought the B/W made for a stronger image with a slight retro feel that I preferred. In the color version, my eye goes to his green jacket, in the mono, my gaze is steered to his face:

B/W as entered:


Color:


Message edited by author 2012-04-25 08:54:11.
04/25/2012 09:35:06 AM · #11
I think black and white portraits are better period. To me, b&w takes any b/g distractions out of the shot and allows you to focus on the subject, young, old or in between.
04/25/2012 09:41:47 AM · #12
Originally posted by smardaz:

I think black and white portraits are better period. To me, b&w takes any b/g distractions out of the shot and allows you to focus on the subject, young, old or in between.


that is agree with however I also agree with the OP that the genre is overvalued by the voters.
04/25/2012 09:41:55 AM · #13


Message edited by author 2012-07-24 16:42:37.
04/25/2012 09:50:53 AM · #14
Originally posted by deeby:

Back in the day there was only B&W..colour wasn't invented yet. That's why they're all monochrome. It's obviously.


04/25/2012 10:00:15 AM · #15
You can see detail much better in a good B&W image, because it reduces the view to only form, light and shade. This makes it a good choice for portraits of people with the lines of years of living in their faces by bringing out the fine details of every line. It's not just for the "retro" look. It's just good photography.
Try converting a complicated/ highly detailed into image into B&W and you can easily see much more detail than in the color version, if the conversion is done well.

My son asked me one time when he was about 5 or 6, "Do you remember when the world got color?"
I asked him what he meant by that, and he explained, " The world used to not have color because all the old movies show it without any color."

04/25/2012 11:21:36 AM · #16
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:



My son asked me one time when he was about 5 or 6, "Do you remember when the world got color?"
I asked him what he meant by that, and he explained, " The world used to not have color because all the old movies show it without any color."


and then you show them the wizard of OZ.
04/25/2012 11:57:01 AM · #17
I don't like all this grainy monochromatic belittling of old people. We are people, too, you know. Hrmph...

Message edited by author 2012-04-25 11:57:25.
04/25/2012 12:24:39 PM · #18
I look much better in b/w :)
04/25/2012 12:27:43 PM · #19
In black and white I get 6.1


But in colour I get DQ'd


And it was my birthday last week, so I'm older! :-)

Message edited by author 2012-04-25 12:33:04.
04/25/2012 12:40:45 PM · #20
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

And it was my birthday last week, so I'm older! :-)

Are you still counting your age in half years? Now get off my grass!!!
04/25/2012 12:45:15 PM · #21
I,d love some smooth young skin to photograph in color. (or for many other reasons)
04/25/2012 12:48:57 PM · #22
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by NiallOTuama:

And it was my birthday last week, so I'm older! :-)

Are you still counting your age in half years? Now get off my grass!!!

Lucky for you I now have some grass of my own!
04/25/2012 12:50:39 PM · #23
Originally posted by jmritz:

I feel old this morning.


and creepy, and maybe just a teeny weeny bit flawed, you know?
04/25/2012 12:55:27 PM · #24
Originally posted by tnun:

Originally posted by jmritz:

I feel old this morning.


and creepy, and maybe just a teeny weeny bit flawed, you know?

+1
(along with a little bit wrinkled.)
04/25/2012 12:58:58 PM · #25
My gran will not let me take pictures for this reason. I say, "But you look so graceful, dignified and wise". She says, "Piss off! I don't want a single wrinkle showing."
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