(almost) always b/w
Nov 23, 2023 14:10:53 #
Hi everybody
It appears that most street photography is b/w. Is there a "good" reason for that or did someone at some point start in b/w and everybody else just tagged along?
It appears that most street photography is b/w. Is there a "good" reason for that or did someone at some point start in b/w and everybody else just tagged along?
Nov 23, 2023 16:10:37 #
Just a guess, the ‘street’ genre predates readily accessible color for the masses and we continue to pay homage to B/W street as tradition.
Nov 23, 2023 18:26:44 #
A lot say that B&W removes all of the distractions that color sometimes introduces into images.
Don
Don
Nov 24, 2023 11:20:31 #
Two reasons from me: first, the original street photographers shot in b&w, and second, what Don said about colors often distracting from the real subject of the photo.
Nov 27, 2023 18:10:02 #
NickGee
Loc: Pacific Northwest
While originating in B/W because street photography predates color film, starting in the 1970s color street photography took hold. Check the work of Saul Leiter and Ernst Haas for just two excellent examples of color street work. So no, street photography is not at all necessarily B/W.
Nov 30, 2023 22:10:03 #
In most cases, I'll shoot B&W for street photos. And for a very practical reason. Street shooting very often is characterized by mottled, uneven lighting....sometimes to the extreme. I find that disparity is far easier to deal with in shooting and processing in B&W.
Dec 3, 2023 19:34:06 #
PAR4DCR wrote:
A lot say that B&W removes all of the distractions that color sometimes introduces into images.
Don
Don
I agree. I think that B/W eliminates the distractions of color. Meaning that you have to have a fairly strong image, one that tells a story, asks a question, contains a memorable or poignant moment. However, there are those times when color may better convey a mood, feeling, etc. It's up to the photographer to decide this. In my opinion, nowadays, there are far too many meaningless, forgettable "street shots" of someone on a cell phone, walking, etc, but because they were shot on the streets, they are considered "street photography." This is just my opinion. There is no right or wrong here.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.