Why are so many people shooting in black and white lately?
Jan 20, 2014 15:05:03 #
I'm not bashing, but it just seems like b&w is the fad of the year already. I see many pics that I wish were in color, or that I feel don't 'need' the b&w treatment. I can understand if you're going for an old photo look, or your subject is something that is, or can be interpreted as an older item (Like an antique), but most of the time it just seems unnecessary to me.
Again, I'm not bashing anyone, I'm just asking why so many people are converting pics to black and white. What do you see in your pic that makes you say "It needs to be converted to B&W"? This is an honest question, not sarcasm or meant in a derogatory way.
Thanks for your time,
~Ace
Again, I'm not bashing anyone, I'm just asking why so many people are converting pics to black and white. What do you see in your pic that makes you say "It needs to be converted to B&W"? This is an honest question, not sarcasm or meant in a derogatory way.
Thanks for your time,
~Ace
Jan 20, 2014 15:10:15 #
Jan 20, 2014 15:14:54 #
Well Ace! All I can tell you is certain things look better in B&W.
I look for thing with just a couple of primary colors to convert.
I also happen to think grungy older men look better in B&W.
I do agree that not everything looks better in B&W. Some things just don't need to be converted.
Most of the conversions I see to B&W are poorly done. That is the other issue. Converting to B&W is art to me. It's not just moving a slider or using a plugin in Photoshop.
Welcome to the Asylum!
I look for thing with just a couple of primary colors to convert.
I also happen to think grungy older men look better in B&W.
I do agree that not everything looks better in B&W. Some things just don't need to be converted.
Most of the conversions I see to B&W are poorly done. That is the other issue. Converting to B&W is art to me. It's not just moving a slider or using a plugin in Photoshop.
Welcome to the Asylum!
Welcome to the Asylum
I walk the line
Grand Father of a Sailor
Jan 20, 2014 15:15:27 #
Ace and Deuce wrote:
I'm not bashing, but it just seems like b&w is... (show quote)
I was also wondering that myself and have indeed tried it with not a lot of success. I have to admit that if it is done properly then the photos are excellent. Some print both coloured and B&W which is good because then you can appreciate the one that you prefer.
Jan 20, 2014 15:16:44 #
PalePictures wrote:
Well Ace! All I can tell you is certain things loo... (show quote)
Love the new Avatar!
Jan 20, 2014 15:17:52 #
Probably not all shooting in B&W but converting after the fact...I sometimes wonder myself as there aren't all that many that look overly good in B&W...some really "pop" but others just fall flat, my opinion only of course...I think it just comes down to the latest "thing" we might like to have a go at whether it's HD, B&W, IR or any other type of photography or editing...makes life interesting... :D
PP's pics above show what good B&W should look like... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
PP's pics above show what good B&W should look like... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Jan 20, 2014 15:19:12 #
St3v3M wrote:
Love the new Avatar!
A change was overdue! IT's not me of course. Thanks for noticing.
Jan 20, 2014 15:26:45 #
There are some subjects that simply look better in B&W.
Jan 20, 2014 15:29:54 #
FredB
Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.
Hipster wanna-be-auteurs who believe that converting natural color to artificial black and white automatically turns their crap into art.
Jan 20, 2014 15:30:11 #
Ace and Deuce wrote:
I'm not bashing, but it just seems like b&w is... (show quote)
The contrast provided by B&W can make some photos really standout. Especially if done by someone who knows what they are doing. I suggest you select a group of your own photos, ones that you think might qualify, and convert them to B&W. Compare them to the originals and I wouldn't be surprised if you find at least one that impresses you.
Jan 20, 2014 15:37:54 #
Ace and Deuce wrote:
I'm not bashing.
I see many pics that I wish were in color, or that I feel don't 'need' the b&w treatment.
I can understand if you're going for an old photo look,
What do you see in your pic that makes you say "It needs to be converted to B&W"? This is an honest question, not sarcasm or meant in a derogatory way.
Thanks for your time,~Ace
I see many pics that I wish were in color, or that I feel don't 'need' the b&w treatment.
I can understand if you're going for an old photo look,
What do you see in your pic that makes you say "It needs to be converted to B&W"? This is an honest question, not sarcasm or meant in a derogatory way.
Thanks for your time,~Ace
Ace, most Photogs go through the same learning curve, as there are no shortcuts.
If you are as young as you look, maybe you are just discovering this, and it's becoming obvious to you. It's not a cycle, so much as there are so many more Photogs at this very minute than there have ever been, and all need to go through that phase.
Good Photogs shoot for B&W, not the other way around.
Perhaps you look at a B&W and think it would be better in color, because that's how it was shot to be, and B&W is just an after thought, or to correct a color mistake(such as a red stop sign or yellow hydrant), just because you can.
Ace, B&W is all about extremes in contrast, and most don't know anything about contrast. It's what the great Ansel Adams spent so much time creating with all his burning and dodging.
Just going for the old B&W look, doesn't make it acceptable. Going for the old noir look does. Not too many can do that.
Ace, maybe not what you were looking for, but rhetorical questions don't have answers.
Ace, happy shooting. ;-)
SS
Jan 20, 2014 15:48:26 #
Ace and Deuce wrote:
Again, I'm not bashing anyone, I'm just asking why so many people are converting pics to black and white. What do you see in your pic that makes you say "It needs to be converted to B&W"? This is an honest question, not sarcasm or meant in a derogatory way.
Thanks for your time,
~Ace
Again, I'm not bashing anyone, I'm just asking why so many people are converting pics to black and white. What do you see in your pic that makes you say "It needs to be converted to B&W"? This is an honest question, not sarcasm or meant in a derogatory way.
Thanks for your time,
~Ace
To quote photographer Ted Grant:
When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!
― Ted Grant
Jan 20, 2014 15:49:42 #
ERVIN
Loc: Texas
I believe black-and-white photography is where it started the art of photography. Going back and beyond Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. These are what you call traditional photography. Even though it is representing the area before color photography it is still has a place in our portfolio. Yes I agree it has been becoming a " Fad "
I myself prefer to use color.There are always going to be people who feels it is hip to follow others and they just don't want to be left out.
I myself prefer to use color.There are always going to be people who feels it is hip to follow others and they just don't want to be left out.
Jan 20, 2014 15:58:11 #
Photography began as a black-and-white medium of human expression. I believe Kodak brought out color film in the early 20th-Century.
This Web-site has a good discussion of black-and-white photography:
http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/mastering-the-art-of-black-and-white-photography--photo-280
This Web-site has a good discussion of black-and-white photography:
http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/mastering-the-art-of-black-and-white-photography--photo-280
Jan 20, 2014 16:02:04 #
PalePictures wrote:
A change was overdue! IT's not me of course. Thanks for noticing.
That is funny actually. I read the statement, "I also happen to think grungy older men look better in B&W." and thought that could not be more true of Russ then I saw the photo of the fisherman and thought 'Wow, We Have A Competitor...' Of course it was you and your wonderful mastery of black and white.
If I have not said it before, thank you for your inspiration and willingness to share your knowledge. There are a select few on this site I look up to that push me to always reach higher ground. Thank you! Steve
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