B&W and Color Photography - my take on it..
What marks the difference between B&W and Color pictures? Is it only the perceptions we've associated with them, or is it that both are used to stand-out from each other and give a unique feel?
Color began to be used in commercial photography in order to stand out from all the B&W. Now B&W is being used to stand out from all the Color.Or may be the nostalgic feeling we've associated with B&W pics as those are what we've mostly seen in the 80s and it's re-emerging now! Whatever the reason may be, both have their unique positions in the situations used and depending upon the subject of the pic.
Now, normally when humans see a color photo - we primary see the colors first, then the other aspects. But, when we see the same photo as monochrome - we immediately see subject, form, shape, tonality and texture. For some, this seems to be a richer experience. I personally like B&W a bit more than the color ones, probably because there is an overload of color stills nowadays. But, color pics also appeal when the colors in the pic blend well into each other thereby rendering a soothing effect and giving a feel of the theme or subject pictured.
One way of looking at the question is to ask whether the subject is colored or not. Sounds too simple, ain't it?! In fact it is simple.. If color can be used only when needed, then we may not have the bombardment of color snaps which happens nowadays. Sunsets for example usually need color..Just think of a Sunset snap you've seen without the orange and red colors - it becomes lifeless.. Another approach is to take a look at a range of images in both B&W and Color - flash between the two and see which has the most impact, go with it.
I remember reading somewhere - "Looking at a B&W version will often enrich your experience, as you'll see geometry and shadows much better." And I think that's true, as you'll feel the same if you compare both side by side.
Now, to get this sorted I got prints small (postcard) as well as large (A3) size and compared them; and must say that the color ones gave a better feel and connect to the place I went to.. mostly landscapes and wide-angled shots, the B&W ones were more effective when coming to close-ups or portraits.
Conclusion - I like them both and would have a mixture/collection of both in an album according to relevance!
Color began to be used in commercial photography in order to stand out from all the B&W. Now B&W is being used to stand out from all the Color.Or may be the nostalgic feeling we've associated with B&W pics as those are what we've mostly seen in the 80s and it's re-emerging now! Whatever the reason may be, both have their unique positions in the situations used and depending upon the subject of the pic.
Now, normally when humans see a color photo - we primary see the colors first, then the other aspects. But, when we see the same photo as monochrome - we immediately see subject, form, shape, tonality and texture. For some, this seems to be a richer experience. I personally like B&W a bit more than the color ones, probably because there is an overload of color stills nowadays. But, color pics also appeal when the colors in the pic blend well into each other thereby rendering a soothing effect and giving a feel of the theme or subject pictured.
One way of looking at the question is to ask whether the subject is colored or not. Sounds too simple, ain't it?! In fact it is simple.. If color can be used only when needed, then we may not have the bombardment of color snaps which happens nowadays. Sunsets for example usually need color..Just think of a Sunset snap you've seen without the orange and red colors - it becomes lifeless.. Another approach is to take a look at a range of images in both B&W and Color - flash between the two and see which has the most impact, go with it.
I remember reading somewhere - "Looking at a B&W version will often enrich your experience, as you'll see geometry and shadows much better." And I think that's true, as you'll feel the same if you compare both side by side.
Now, to get this sorted I got prints small (postcard) as well as large (A3) size and compared them; and must say that the color ones gave a better feel and connect to the place I went to.. mostly landscapes and wide-angled shots, the B&W ones were more effective when coming to close-ups or portraits.
Conclusion - I like them both and would have a mixture/collection of both in an album according to relevance!
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| One of my captures.. |
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