How many of you have old photographs stored away in a box that are black and white? You know the ones with the white borders? When I was a small child I remember members of my family keeping vast quantities of just such photos in boxes lined with tissue paper. We'd bring them out to remind ourselves of good times, sad times, parties and who it was that was dancing on the table on New Years Eve.
I think it is because of these memories that I am easily drawn to black and white photographs. I can walk into a room of colored prints and head straight for the single black and white hanging on the wall. But, I have met many people who do not like black and white photos. At all.
This week it was my task to examine some photos I had done in color and turn them into black and white and see what became of it. I already am aware (due to my attraction to this genre) that black and white forces us to think about the lines and angles in our photos a little more. You do not get the drama from the color of the photo. Instead the drama can be in the texture, lines, or focus on the subject.
In the past, I have used black and white for historic documentation. In the photo below is the Nicholson Viaduct, a well known site in my area. This is a photo I had already taken and rendered to black and white.
I think it is because of these memories that I am easily drawn to black and white photographs. I can walk into a room of colored prints and head straight for the single black and white hanging on the wall. But, I have met many people who do not like black and white photos. At all.
This week it was my task to examine some photos I had done in color and turn them into black and white and see what became of it. I already am aware (due to my attraction to this genre) that black and white forces us to think about the lines and angles in our photos a little more. You do not get the drama from the color of the photo. Instead the drama can be in the texture, lines, or focus on the subject.
In the past, I have used black and white for historic documentation. In the photo below is the Nicholson Viaduct, a well known site in my area. This is a photo I had already taken and rendered to black and white.
The color version of this image is simply "meh." The black and white version really showcases the lines of the bridge and the just-coming-into-Spring trees below it.
I have chosen to NOT do a side-by-side comparison of the color to the black and white in this blog. So in all cases you are simply going to see the black and white image.
I have also used black and white in doing photos of children. In this photo, of my granddaughter, her colorful pink jumper and lime green shirt, coupled with the teal wall color of our family room, could make you cross-eyed. Instead, the lines of the black and white image bring the focus to her, and her serious concentration on making "tea."
I have chosen to NOT do a side-by-side comparison of the color to the black and white in this blog. So in all cases you are simply going to see the black and white image.
I have also used black and white in doing photos of children. In this photo, of my granddaughter, her colorful pink jumper and lime green shirt, coupled with the teal wall color of our family room, could make you cross-eyed. Instead, the lines of the black and white image bring the focus to her, and her serious concentration on making "tea."
I have been battling a serious cold this past week. On again, off again. Good days, bad days. I almost decided not to do my blog this week, but in making my cubby on the couch with my hot tea and old movies, I noticed that many of our pets were gathered around me in care-giving mode. I decided to keep my camera on the coffee table and see what I could add to the blog this week in terms of black and white.
Barney was trying to either copy what I was doing, or inspire me. I'm not sure which. Either way, I think he was sleeping better than I was.
Barney was trying to either copy what I was doing, or inspire me. I'm not sure which. Either way, I think he was sleeping better than I was.
The shadows and lines in this photo are much more impressive than in the color version, and I think lend themselves better to implying a sleepy atmosphere. This is truly a cat that knows how to nap. Not even a vacuum cleaner in full throttle can wake him or move him.
Finally, Billie kept her eye on me from across the room. This was in the waning sun of the day, where the shadows are at their peak. I used no extraneous lighting except for window light. because that would have meant I would have had to get up from the couch.
Finally, Billie kept her eye on me from across the room. This was in the waning sun of the day, where the shadows are at their peak. I used no extraneous lighting except for window light. because that would have meant I would have had to get up from the couch.
Hopefully, by next Friday, this cold will be gone and I can get out and about with my camera again. To see what others in the blog circle have done for this week's theme, start here with Kim Hollis of See Spot Run Photography in Charlotte, North Carolina. Have a fun weekend!
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