Is it Ever Advantageous to Mix Color with Black & White Images? One of my favorite captures on film was this little-brave-guy getting a drink on my bird bath. He seemed to be daring...

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

One of my favorite captures on film was this little-brave-guy getting a drink on my bird bath. He seemed to be daring the Starlings to attack him. I got an idea to "make" an image, as Ansel Adams famously said. Unfortunately, none of my color images of the sky did the little guy justice. Fortunately, there are non-copyrighted sky images available on the internet that are excellent and advertised as free to use, even though I did not take them. The combination of images I used includes my shot of the 'little-brave-guy" and that of a great photographer that I didn't write down his name and wish I knew how after the fact to give her/him credit. Please share your thoughts with me regarding mixing color and black and white in the same image and what the best way to give credit to excellent photographers that freely share their work in the future. (I plan to write town their name as I go next time.) Muchas Gracias!

(Download)

Quixdraw Loc: x

Comes down to what you find amusing. Personally, I wouldn't include another photographer's work in a photo of mine, with or without acknowledgement. A color element in a monochrome can be effective. IMO the trick is to strike a good balance and use the effect sparingly.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I won't use someone else's work either.
Selective color working depends on what it is and placement in the image.
Like a red barn only having color.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Sure. "Partially desaturated" images are done all the time, often to great effect. I completely agree with quix's comments here, though. And to my eye, the blue is way too bright (saturated) for the subject (bird) which, by the way, I think is a pine siskin. And the sky (again, to me) looks too busy. Fun to play around with assembled images.

ELNikkor

Selective color can really make a great image, when done tastefully.

Rolk Loc: South Central PA

This topic caught my eye.

About two years ago, PAToGraphy hosted a challenge called "Touch of Color" where anyone was invited to submit images with just a "hint" or touch of color.

The challenge generated 50 pages of some really cool images. If you're so inclined, you can check it out at:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-563581-1.html

Enjoy,
Tim

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

Black and white bridal photo with a coloured bouquet.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Shooter41 wrote:

One of my favorite captures on film was this littl... (show quote)

As long as you use open source images, or your own, the artistic interpretation you choose makes it yours. If using public domain images, there is no attribution required. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I've seen some stunning composited images that really reveal the artist's creative intent in ways that a "straight" photograph could never do. If you regard photography as an artistic medium and not simply as a means of recording things as they are, then the possibilities are endless. On the other hand, you really have to know what you are doing to make it work.

https://www.google.com/search?q=composite+images&sxsrf=ALeKk01VK9oZaKqmbSOb0Dt7k9bkV-dE-w:1606384204655&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=IMy0YuAU2SCsmM%252CTz8tm0Z6ub6cYM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSapBRjPycn60iVDO_S02jr071uyw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUlpC_95_tAhVjtjEKHRoTA3MQ9QF6BAgLEFM&biw=1920&bih=1097#imgrc=IMy0YuAU2SCsmM

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I've been experimenting with selective color. I don't marry different sky/backgrounds in my work, so I won't comment on that. It seems to look best when there's a background that's sort of blah or you want to draw more attention to your subject. In your image, the color distracts me from the bird.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Unless you're under contract to someone, do whatever you want. That selective color thing was very popular a few years ago. I have a camera or two that will shoot B&W but also pick out a color I select. I could have a B&W scene with a red rose. Don't worry about what other people think. Do what you want.

User ID

Shooter41 wrote:

One of my favorite captures on film was this littl... (show quote)

It’s a blatantly kitschie poster image with “cute” caption. It could compete with the ubiquitous “hang in there” kitten poster. As a poster, it’s great as it is. As an “art” image acoarst it would be waaaaaaay off the mark, but who cares ? No one should attempt to critique it as “photo art”.

Don’t lose any sleep over pilfering the sky.

User ID

jerryc41 wrote:

Unless you're under contract to someone, do whatever you want. That selective color thing was very popular a few years ago. I have a camera or two that will shoot B&W but also pick out a color I select. I could have a B&W scene with a red rose. Don't worry about what other people think. Do what you want.

EXACTLY !!!

But that caption could be better executed. As-is it barely whispers. Let it speak up.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

User ID wrote:

EXACTLY !!!

But that caption could be better executed. As-is it barely whispers. Let it speak up.

But it's such a small bird.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use masking on classic car photos to turn the background B&W and highlight the subject.

photoman43

Rolk wrote:

This topic caught my eye.

About two years ago, PAToGraphy hosted a challenge called "Touch of Color" where anyone was invited to submit images with just a "hint" or touch of color.

The challenge generated 50 pages of some really cool images. If you're so inclined, you can check it out at:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-563581-1.html

Enjoy,
Tim

I sometimes make a B and W image and then restore color to single item in the photo using NIK software. Like a red rose to make it stand out among the shades of black or grey.