FunkyL Loc: MD

Full disclosure, I love color. When someone posts both B&W and color versions and askes "which do you prefer?" I usually pick the color version. B&W often seems flat or even depressing, though I've seen some lovely shots in this section. When I convert a photo to B&W, it's usually because the colors are unattractive or distracting. I'd like to learn use B&W because it makes a photo I really like, rather than to correct a fault in the color version. During the winter doldrums, I sometimes set myself a project, and this year it's to learn more about what might make a good B&W. I've been taking shots that I think might look good in B&W, some I like, some not so much. I thought I'd ask you what makes you choose B&W? Are there specific subjects/lighting/other qualities that lend themselves to B&W? Others that you know right off will not be good in B&W? Do you look for colors that will convert attractively to shades of grey? Can you mentally "tune out" the colors and see shots that would look good in B&W? I took a photo of my red Pointsettia; SOOC the green and red leaves were almost the same color, boring...adding a red digital filter made the flower look almost white, adding a blue filter darkened it to where it looked to me like a B&W of a red flower. Is there a book you think I might find useful? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

RiJoRi Loc: Sandy Ridge, NC

In my adventures with black and white film, I found that where color is important (e.g. flowers), B+W just doesn't work.

These days, I have a tool to help me: an app on my Android called "Hypocam". It includes B+W filters (RGBYO) and various effects.
Also, photzy•com has some free 😁 downloads (pdf), including:

"Black and White Short Guide",
"Color vs. Black And White", and
"How to Use Black and White Photography to Enhance Mood".

--Rich

FunkyL Loc: MD

Thank You!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The topic title is not the question to ask. If you are shooting for a black and white result, then you should be removing color from the equation mentally before you select your subject. Don't fall into the trap of comparing.

Instead, start looking for textures, tones, contrast, light and shadow, shapes. Sometimes you want to remove the distraction of color - such as in much of street photography.

If black and white "often seems depressing," you're looking at poorly conceived or executed photos: subject matter or processing.

You've already discovered how similar tones in color become blah in b&w. You've dabbled with color filters in pp, so you've seen how those affect the result. Study "tonal range" further.

If you're shooting in raw, does your camera have a setting that will display the image in black and white (in-camera only)? That can help you learn to see. Sometimes squinting reduces color saturation - that was a tip I learned with b&w film

Analyze the photos that you admire (look beyond UHH). What is it that attracted you?

I don't know of any specific books offhand, but there are tons of YouTube videos and websites with tips.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Here's a group on flickr that I usually participate in. It's a great place to scroll quickly through dozens and dozens, and see what catches your eye. When you stop, ask yourself why??

https://www.flickr.com/groups/donnerstagsmonochrom/pool/

Be adviced that flickr is having site issues at this moment in time, and bunches of pics aren't displaying


Wild Morning Glory by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

FunkyL Loc: MD

Thanks, Linda, your response is always constructive and is appreciated. Yes, I shoot in raw, and I've set my camera to display in B&W .

SENSORLOUPE

Haven't seen that option in my EOS R6. Maybe it doesn't hav it

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

With practice, you can train yourself to look for something other than color when seeking photo ops.

I gave a partial list above (textures, light & shadow, contrasts etc). Another tip: select one of those items, or one of your own ideas, and go look for photos of just that. I love having a theme in mind; it helps me focus - so to speak

GEOMETRY
And yet, I hated geometry in high school by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

SHAPES
Leaves by Linda Shorey, on Flickr

.

SENSORLOUPE

I always take in B&W and one of the same in color. But if the camera has an option to see the color in B&W ,that would save me a step. Thanks

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

I love this answer, Linda. You should always be looking for a black and white image, not just an image to turn into black and white...

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I agree with Linda's suggestions. I do a fair amount of B/W photography but I never try to salvage a crummy color photo that way. Rather, I head out with B/W in my mind as what I will shoot that day. Certain weather conditions naturally lend themselves better to B/W shooting, like a bright overcast day or natural objects (rocks, branches) made a bit shinier by rain. But a strong composition is really important without color, as are all the usual suspects--shape, line, texture, contrast (unless you intentionally leave that out for effect), and movement through the image. I'm not technically well-versed so I'm winging it here. My processing of a B/W photo is more extreme than the same one in color, and I do a lot of playing with the color sliders--you'd be surprised at how that can change things. You can definitely train yourself to see a scene without color, and it's good practice.

SENSORLOUPE

I agree!! If I want a B&W photo, I shoot it in B&W!!

b top gun

I like B & W because I feel the viewer can get distracted by colors and not get the full impact of the image. I have set a couple of my Nikons to shoot B & W in the past; I can check the image after because it will be displayed in B & W on the rear LCD display. That being noted, a Nikon Z8, set for B & W, when you look thru the viewfinder you are already looking at a B & W image.

When I get back from a photo shoot or a Nikon holiday, I will take my favorite images from those trips and decolorize them, it is interesting to see the results and get a new perspective on the images. Sometimes Fall color images produce really cool images when they are decolorized, they can resemble IR shots to a degree.

I found for myself that shooting B & W on certain cloudy days can add "mood" to the images. Also why I prefer some clouds in the sky when shooting seascapes and landscapes. I used to not bother going out with a Nikon on overcast days; no more, at least when there is good contrast produced by the clouds, that contrast is important.

B & W can grab ya when done right. One of my favorite quotes about photography goes..."Don't shoot what you see; shoot what you feel!" YES!!! I got a good shot of the Alaska Range and Denali specifically this September past; the color image is very good but the B & W talks to me more, and has better contrast. I have the B & W hanging on a wall at home.

Some flower images look great when decolorized; take a red rose and decolorize it, sometimes the rose will appear to be a smooth grey velvet.

A good B & W has good contrast and good shadows, and its composition is more obvious, to me.

Another trick I have made use of, take a photo I have had for quite a while and flip it around, now you have a whole new image. This does not work obviously if you have text or signage in the shot.