capturing the soul in an image ! (Page 2): I have to disagree with you on your definition of "monochrome". B&W photos are in a fact a type of monochrome photography. As are sepia and...

srt101fan

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

First off, it's not monochrome, that would be a st... (show quote)

I have to disagree with you on your definition of "monochrome". B&W photos are in a fact a type of monochrome photography. As are sepia and other what we used to call "toned" photos.

https://expertphotography.com/monochrome-vs-black-and-white-photography/

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

The history of photography is flexibility . It is up to all the people that love this art form to know it's beginnings and choose the best way to express ourselves through photography .

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

The endless discussion on the merits of color vs B&W totally miss the point. In a post I made here a couple of years ago on this forum I explained why B&W is still relevant in these modern times. I'm not going to repeat it here, but understand B&W images are still relevant.

So, the right question is, as a photographer, what am I trying to communicate with this image?
Second question, which rendering, color or B&W, best communicates the answer to the first question?

That's it, no right or wrong, just choices.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Imagemine wrote:

Monochrome will capture the soul of an image if the colors aren't interesting , still color can produce interesting photos but B&W goes all the way to the soul + B&W can be more forgiving . It has been said when you shoot in color it only gets to the surface . So everybody commit on this subject .

Totally and completely disagree.
The Mona Lisa is in colour and is very much touching the soul.
The medium is irrelevant.
It is a picture.
B&W is what was first available, if colour had been first this discussion would not exist.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Imagemine wrote:

Monochrome will capture the soul of an image if the colors aren't interesting , still color can produce interesting photos but B&W goes all the way to the soul + B&W can be more forgiving . It has been said when you shoot in color it only gets to the surface . So everybody commit on this subject .

Hurrah for color.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

JohnSwanda wrote:

I love B&W photography. It's lucky in a way th... (show quote)

Mostly agree, but SOME pictures still look better in black& white imho

PatzPhoto

Ansel Adams, a favorite of mine!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Ysarex wrote:

That's too close to a direct quote that you shouldn't leave it un-ascribed: Ted Grant (who was probably listening to Walker Evans when his brain slipped). Last time I checked the earth was in color -- it really does work better that way. Now the moon -- that's where B&W photographers should go.

Joe

Why so nasty???

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I love color images, but if you want to see some b&w images that are spectacular check out posts by rmalarz.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

martinfisherphoto wrote:

Easier said than done. If you want to make a statement like this, post an image. Outside of that it's only hearsay. Photography is capturing images, not talking about them........

Not quite hearsay...we all know, or should know, the history of photography. B&W is powerful. So is color.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Linda From Maine wrote:

The willingness of some people to slam the door against thoughtful discussion never ceases to amaze me. You'd think nobody had heard of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, or that guy with the alliterative name...now who is that? 🤔

You among the many, know talking about photography does Little to enhance ones skill in photography. Just the simple fact that you have to be In the moment to capture the shot goes without saying. I belong to several photography clubs here in Florida and am amazed of the lack of actually working in the field for the desired capture. Let's talk about it and kick the ideal around, and then maybe comment on someone else's ability or lack of. Linda, You actually go out in the field and photograph, my hats off to you. If you want to talk about ideals, great.. But lets show some images of you reaching for that moment, that ideal. Please don't sympathize with the wannabes. Tell them to get off their asses and try to capture that image that eludes them. Now, That is good for the soul.......and by the way is called, Photography......

rond-photography Loc: Connecticut

Imagemine wrote:

Monochrome will capture the soul of an image if the colors aren't interesting , still color can produce interesting photos but B&W goes all the way to the soul + B&W can be more forgiving . It has been said when you shoot in color it only gets to the surface . So everybody commit on this subject .

A really strong image will work in color or B&W. I sometimes just hit the "V" key in LR to see the B&W version if I think it would work and now and then hit one that is just better in monotone.

Another reason to go monotone is COLOR. I have several photos that work well in monotone and have won contests, sell well, and elicit oohs and ahs at times. I would love them in color, except there are dominant objects in the photos that are distracting in color, but don't draw the eye in monotone. Examples: In one, the subject is against a bright brick wall - in color, the bricks are what you notice. In another, several people in the frame are wearing hi-vis green or orange t-shirts. In monotone, they don't distract from the scene.

So all and all, as others have stated, it depends...

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Kmgw9v wrote:

Because “Everything looks worse in black and white”.

Kodachrome!

JohnKTX Loc: Dallas

I have always shot in color and sometimes create B&W in post processing. I used to believe b&w was a crutch people used when exposure got complicated- and sometimes that can help.

Then I attended a photography workshop and during image reviews one morning- noticed a set of very similar sports photos - all in b&w. They were amazing. It was if they captured more history, meaning, a sense of nostalgia. Maybe it was that they were just a little different. I asked him why he chose b&w, and he said “I just prefer it, it seems to capture a unique feel.”

Today, I look at more photos and compare them in color and b&w, just to see. I encourage you to try the same.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

JohnKTX wrote:

I have always shot in color and sometimes create B... (show quote)

Both have a place as a part of the process.
I take issue when so called photographers claim that only B&W can capture a mood or soul.
That black and white is a small part of the pallete of what is available is good to know.
Use it if you want to. But do not put some academic snobbery superiority on it over other aspects of photography.
In days gone by artists worked hard to colorize their B&W photos to give a realism to them. The Victorian world was colorful but a terrible misconception has been handed down because of the terrible limits of B&W photography. All parts are as valid as any other part for capturing the soul. You just need to know how to do it.