When do you shoot black & white and why?

•7

written 8/1/08 9:18 AM, published 8/1/08 9:18 AM

A few more from my trip last weekend. I dropped these into black and white because color really wasn't adding anything to the shots.

Old Tractor Gauge

Old Tractor Radiator

I'm curious, when do you decide to make something black & white and why?

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coryking
•7
8/1/08 9:22 AM
I'll start. I usually go into black & white for the following reasons:
I was shooting in bad lighting and use black & white to "cover up" that fact.
The colors in the shot were not visually interesting but the shapes were.
Making a photo black and white would make a shot invoke a certain mood. Example.

- The Beachmaster
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enigmaticfaerie
•6
8/1/08 9:32 AM

I'm with you on all your reasons cory and I'll add:
4. To emphasize lines or texture that might otherwise be unnoticed because of color (sometimes color is so distracting that's all you're looking at in a photo).
which is very similar to your #2 but still different. Sometimes I just find color to be too busy unless you were taking the photo specifically to emphasize the busy-ness.
Btw, I really like the old tractor radiator. That could have worked for my "what the heck is it" challenge.

- Film-Junkie 4 Life!

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The Old Guy
•3
8/1/08 9:32 AM

I do make a photo black and white at times, and I believe it would be for the #1 reason you offered. #2 ... possibly but probably not, #3, I have had that experience and used B&W there.
Is that really a tractor radiator?

- So shoot already!!

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Penny
•7
8/1/08 9:33 AM

I like your shots Cory.
The main reason I convert to B&W is I love B&W. Sometimes converting to B&W takes away distraction of color too. But mostly I just love B&Ws

- Smile

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Mackinawman
•4
8/1/08 9:35 AM

Maybe I'm wrong or maybe my monitor is off but they look sepia toned to me.
Well anyway - - the effect is great with this subject matter.
Good job!

- Michigan Redneck

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coryking
•7
8/1/08 9:54 AM

They are sepia toned. For some reason, I always do that.

- The Beachmaster

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RobinG
•3
8/1/08 10:44 AM

I like the radiator shot. Leads your eyes. I do b&w when someone suggests its. I never think about it, usually.... :o)

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MRQUACKERS
•7
8/1/08 1:21 PM

Radiator? Got more of it?

- A quack with an camera

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ClassyShots
•5
8/1/08 2:05 PM

When I started doing b&w conversions it was just kind of a fun thing and something to do. One of those I wonder how it would look in black and white things.
Now I shoot for b&w or color and convert very few that I didn't mean to shoot that way. You really have to look at things differently to shoot "for" black and white. Lighting, contrast and tonal range really work into it to get a good print.
Shooting in color and digital and using Lightroom or another conversion program can give you great conversions if you learn to work your software. Some say you can't achieve the results you can with b&w film, filters and a dark room. That is B.S. and I proved it to some film snobs at an exhibit I just took down. They couldn't believe they were color digital conversions.
It can be done with excellent results but to get them you are going to have to see things from a different prospective before you press the button.

- Oh Bull!

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grami
•3
8/1/08 3:20 PM

Ah, yea, my B&Ws are usually an after thought and conversion. Gonna have to remember all this great info and try shooting for B&W sometimes.

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fishone0
•3
8/1/08 4:45 PM

I also convert to B&W when lighting is bad and there is no contrast. Also love B&W and sepia is my second reason.

- desert flower

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tbell
•3
8/1/08 7:37 PM

Interesting assortment of responses. I like to convert to B&W for relatively closeup shots with low light, great highlights and contrast, and for mood.

- petercallesen.com

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