Black and White and Color
Jun 2, 2021 08:37:06 #
Hi, Everyone, This is the last of the series, and I'd like to hear your comments about "color vs B&W." Any hard and fast rules, or does it "just depends on..."?
Jun 2, 2021 08:50:41 #
StevenG
Loc: Long Island, NY
Voss wrote:
Hi, Everyone, This is the last of the series, and I'd like to hear your comments about "color vs B&W." Any hard and fast rules, or does it "just depends on..."?
This is simply my opinion, for what it’s worth. I’m not an expert street photographer (nor am I an expert photographer of any kind). I think it “just depends”. Some clearly look better in color (to me), some in b and w, and some it’s a toss up.
Jun 2, 2021 09:09:32 #
Voss wrote:
Hi, Everyone, This is the last of the series, and I'd like to hear your comments about "color vs B&W." Any hard and fast rules, or does it "just depends on..."?
As you know from experience, there is no fast and "Iron-clad" rule for any photography. It is definitely a case-by-case judgement call.
The last example is one such example. The color works best for a style statement in clothes. However for the black vs white comment, the BW image works great.
As it is, there are so many variants of stories for the spectrum of full color to black-white. Mono-color has its set of stories.
Jun 2, 2021 09:12:15 #
Voss wrote:
Hi, Everyone, This is the last of the series, and I'd like to hear your comments about "color vs B&W." Any hard and fast rules, or does it "just depends on..."?
I don't think it's a "color vs black and white" contest. Your B&W's are distinctive and can not be compared with any other format. Although I only rarely comment, I look forward to your B&W's everyday.
Jun 2, 2021 09:49:42 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
Voss wrote:
Hi, Everyone, This is the last of the series, and I'd like to hear your comments about "color vs B&W." Any hard and fast rules, or does it "just depends on..."?
There are no rules, just choices.
Stan
Jun 2, 2021 10:06:04 #
I'm also in the "it depends" group. Your B&W's are excellent and I feel, because of your style, most of your images are best in B&W. On the other hand, there are some very excellent street photographers who shoot color and it works very well for them.
I do enjoy seeing both of your images just to see how you went from color to B&W.
I do enjoy seeing both of your images just to see how you went from color to B&W.
Jun 2, 2021 10:11:06 #
I like your black and white photos better. Of course in some instances the color may show through better, such as the recent guitar photo. But other than the guitar itself the photo was just as dramatic in black and white.
I have always felt that some people use color to make a mediocre photograph better. Photos of the Grand Canyon are certainly spectacular in color BECAUSE of the colors. But there are some photos of the Grand Canyon in black and white that are absolutely stunning too. Like others have said, It Depends.
Black and white or color, you present great images. I appreciate all of them.
Dennis
I have always felt that some people use color to make a mediocre photograph better. Photos of the Grand Canyon are certainly spectacular in color BECAUSE of the colors. But there are some photos of the Grand Canyon in black and white that are absolutely stunning too. Like others have said, It Depends.
Black and white or color, you present great images. I appreciate all of them.
Dennis
Jun 2, 2021 12:03:10 #
A little off the subject, but did the lady in black give you some lip? It looks like she is casting a wary eye your way. It makes me wonder how often you get in a bind from someone that you just photographed?
Jun 2, 2021 13:07:48 #
AZNikon
Loc: Mesa, AZ
Well, you could not have picked a better photo for the finale. Let's review:
Subject: 2 gals & 2 dogs
Black outfit w/white dog
White outfit w/black dog
Talk about balance! It's ironic that the colors of the outfits are black and white. I would call it a color b&w. But this photo does not depend on color for impact. IMHO, if color enhances or helps identify the subject, great. But if it doesn't, then leave it out. Other observations, it's cool that one gal is taller than the other (contrast). The bright colorful fanny pack provides a nice accent to the shot. Well done!
Subject: 2 gals & 2 dogs
Black outfit w/white dog
White outfit w/black dog
Talk about balance! It's ironic that the colors of the outfits are black and white. I would call it a color b&w. But this photo does not depend on color for impact. IMHO, if color enhances or helps identify the subject, great. But if it doesn't, then leave it out. Other observations, it's cool that one gal is taller than the other (contrast). The bright colorful fanny pack provides a nice accent to the shot. Well done!
Jun 2, 2021 17:48:46 #
ejones0310 wrote:
A little off the subject, but did the lady in black give you some lip? It looks like she is casting a wary eye your way. It makes me wonder how often you get in a bind from someone that you just photographed?
Hey, Eric. No, she didn't. Don't think that's a scowl. Regarding binds, I get into a serious bind maybe once every two years, and no one has actually tried to hit me. I get scowls several times a year, but for every one of those, I get at least a couple smiles, so it balances out. Actually, for every confrontation, I get at least two requests: "Take my picture."
Jun 2, 2021 22:28:45 #
Voss wrote:
Hi, Everyone, This is the last of the series, and I'd like to hear your comments about "color vs B&W." Any hard and fast rules, or does it "just depends on..."?
Hi Voss. For me, whenever there is a female showing skin, it's always color.
Jun 3, 2021 01:19:27 #
Magaliaman
Loc: Magalia, CA
Voss wrote:
Hi, Everyone, This is the last of the series, and I'd like to hear your comments about "color vs B&W." Any hard and fast rules, or does it "just depends on..."?
Voss,
As I've stated before, knowing I'm in the minority when it comes to "street" images, I still nearly always prefer the color versions. Certainly there are some images that do relate better in B&W, but in my opinion they are few and far between. 9 times out of 10 it's color for me.
But either way they are presented, I always enjoy your vision of "street images"
-Gary
Jun 3, 2021 07:53:07 #
Jun 3, 2021 08:14:27 #
Voss wrote:
Hey, Ken, that's some nice skin there. And point well taken--it does look good in color.
Thanks Voss. By the way, I liked your shot of the two young ladies with the dogs.
Jun 3, 2021 08:17:46 #
I have been following your series, and for me the black and whites are the overwhelming winners. Only one, if I remember correctly, was a tossup; I found no clear winners in the color category. As I have stated before, so many times the colors draw attention to themselves rather than to the scene at hand. And, the scene at hand is always the importance of the photo. Ergo, black and white wins.
Keep on shooting, and keep on posting the b&ws.
Keep on shooting, and keep on posting the b&ws.
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