Black and White

While life is never truly devoid of color, there might be some times when you feel that way.  That's not what this blog is about.

Instead, this week is devoted to classic black and white images.

I don't often take black and white photos, although I admire many.  There are times, however, that I don't like the vivid color in a photo (whether it's grass being too green, or too many patterns or colors all together in the same place), and it's those times I will turn to black and white for the answer.

I found our cat, Barney, sitting on a patio chair this past week and decided to grab a quick photo.  I think his look is highlighted quite a bit more than it was when the photo was in color.  The bright pattern on the chair stole the show away from Barney's gaze.

Black and white is very good at keeping the eye focused in the places it needs to go.  Barney's photo has been converted into a "classic" black and white image.

Let's look at a different type of "black and white."

Below is a photo of a black and white (Blue Belton) English Setter.  If you do a comparison to Barney's photo by scrolling, you will see that the Setter photo has a reddish tint to it.  I used an effect called "selenium" to bring a bit of tint to the photo, and highlight the detail in the Setter's coat.  This is not a "colorized" technique.  The effect simply stamps a tone onto the photo.

Interesting, right?

But wait, there's more.

I found a photo treatment called Wenge (when-gay), which has been used by a number of photographers to lend a brownish tone to wood in photos.  Wenge is actually a type of wood in itself, so it makes sense the color it names would be brown.

I had snapped a photo of a funeral director's dog sleeping in the lobby of the funeral home one day.  The photo was taken with my cell phone, and not my camera.  I transferred it to my editing software and applied the Wenge effect to it.  The result is below.

Prior to using the effect, the doors with the patterned glass just blended into the wood.  The Wenge effect helped to bring them forward and showcase the glass almost as if it were lit from behind.  This tonal effect lends itself to a very old-style black and white photo, not quite the very brown sepia treatment, but something a bit softer and easier on the eyes.

Three different ways to look at black and white, or images devoid of color.

But wait, there's one more.  Back to the classic black and white.  Meet some cows I passed on the road several weeks ago.  I took this photo for a class I am taking.  The color version is up on my Facebook business page, but the greens of spring were way to vivid at the time.  I turned it to black and white for a class project, and like it much better this way.

And that's everything in black and white.  For more great photos, follow the blog circle this week starting with Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography, fetching portraits in Coppell, Carrollton and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.  Enjoy!