E.g. one of my own
So how do you know when to use Black and White?
Truly? It’s up to you!
Black and white photographs show us lots of things we often miss in a colour image because our eyes are often drawn to all the wonderful bright colours. In black and white we see the highlights (bright areas) and the lowlights (shadows) more easily; however colour does affect our black and white image. For example, if we have a photo of a red flower in a green field it may show up as the same tone of grey meaning a very dull image but there are many photographers out there that have mastered black and white and know before even taking the photo, how it will look in the end.
Black and white photography is also used to express emotion. With the absence of colour we see finer details sometimes tugging at our heart strings or just making us think about the image itself. With this in mind a common field in which we find black and white used often is wedding portraits. Who hasn’t seen at least one wedding photo in black and white? It’s to symbolise the freezing of a moment, it gives that sentimental value to it as well as stripping the distraction of colour to bring out the emotion in couples big day. If you think about it, what do you see first in these two photos?
The first thing I look at is yes ok there are people in it, but my attention is almost immediately drawn to the colours around them. Being in a white gown and black suit when there are all these amazing colours around them, why would I stay focused on them? I see the beautiful colour of the ocean and the green flower boxes. Don’t get me wrong these are still beautiful photos but if you then look at the same photo in black and white....
Your attention is now held by the people in the photo, you see the emotion and it creates the atmosphere your wedding day is meant to have. I don’t suggest you all go out and get your whole wedding album done in black and white but a few are always nice.
Ok so far we have straight black and white covered and although it is, I guess you could say, antique... it has been brought into the 21st century as well.
Can’t decide between colour and black and white, or just think black and white is a bit too boring for you? Why not both??
Yes it’s true; you can have both black and white in one photo! How you ask? Simple! Of course you can’t have something so classic and chic without giving it a bit of modern re-vamp so here we have it. Many photographers have begun playing with the cross of black and white with a hint of colour. To do this they make the whole image black and white and then erase the black and white over a certain object or area to bring back the colour. Don’t quite understand? Let me show you...
Your attention is now held by the people in the photo, you see the emotion and it creates the atmosphere your wedding day is meant to have. I don’t suggest you all go out and get your whole wedding album done in black and white but a few are always nice.
Ok so far we have straight black and white covered and although it is, I guess you could say, antique... it has been brought into the 21st century as well.
Can’t decide between colour and black and white, or just think black and white is a bit too boring for you? Why not both??
Yes it’s true; you can have both black and white in one photo! How you ask? Simple! Of course you can’t have something so classic and chic without giving it a bit of modern re-vamp so here we have it. Many photographers have begun playing with the cross of black and white with a hint of colour. To do this they make the whole image black and white and then erase the black and white over a certain object or area to bring back the colour. Don’t quite understand? Let me show you...
Pretty cool isn’t it!? Anyway, that’s all from me for now. Enjoy and happy snapping!
Bree
I think part of the reason black and white has continued to prosper is its timeless nature.
ReplyDeleteSo whilst your 80's spiral perm and poofy sleeved wedding gown with matching bow on the derrier might be a little 'last season', the black and white photo of said wedding day will not.
Photo trends come and go. As with any fashion, photographic styles from capture to presentation will forever be updating as new technologies emerge and tastes alter.
However as we know. The black and white image will be truely classic and regarded as a stylish addition to the wall in any room for a long time yet.
The greatest advantage to the digital revolution is that you can shoot in colour and change to B&W later without damaging the original negative as such. Unfortuantely our forefathers had to shoot an entire roll of B&W before they could make the switch.. .. -ICK! expensive.
Personally I think black and white photography would never be out of fashion. May it be film or digital. Even the most simplest of photos can be transformed into something completely different just by making it b/w. Also the amount of b/w can have a huge effect on its emotional impact.
ReplyDeleteThough this just might be me but sometimes b/w can be a tad overkill depending on its subject matter ie if there is alot of information or just the scene itself.
Have you worked with the vibrancy of colours after you've converted to Black and White? Using what colour was brought to the picture but using them for better tones when the colour is desaturated.
ReplyDelete