hi
even with all the colour reproduction that is possible, black and white photographs still manage to have that sense of tangable feeling that i find sometimes hard to describe.
mikehawthorne
wonder of mono
- Dr. Harout
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Re: wonder of mono
Agreed. My first photography was b/w and most of it is much better aesthetically than stuff I do now. Technically, although I was considered good, I think now have massive advantages. Some of my best prints were the result of difficult rescue work on badly exposed and developed films.
David
David
- sury
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Re: wonder of mono
I agree. It was always a challenge for me to visualize in black & white. Is that a pre-requisite?
Sury
Sury
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- bfitzgerald
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Re: wonder of mono
I'd go as far as to say it would never bother me taking colour shots again..at times that is.
Some stuff just works better in b&w..but let's not forget sepia too. In particular people shots are made for mono.
(I'm using a Marumi soft fantasy filter on this one..)
Some stuff just works better in b&w..but let's not forget sepia too. In particular people shots are made for mono.
(I'm using a Marumi soft fantasy filter on this one..)
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Re: wonder of mono
Thumbs up, Barry.
Re: wonder of mono
Hi Barry - I really like shot number two in your series. I always enjoy the pictures you post - often less contraversial than your 'reviews'
I agree that B&W really suits people shots - why is this? Is it that B&W is more flattering to skin tones?
I agree that B&W really suits people shots - why is this? Is it that B&W is more flattering to skin tones?
Nex 5, Nex 6 (IR), A7M2, A99 and a bunch of lenses.
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Re: wonder of mono
I think colour can work very well at times for people shots, though I'd be into the less contrasty softer tones on that side myself. Depends a lot on your type of shooting with this one. For this type of work I tend to be more "candid" style informal. For that I think b&w is just perfect and preferable to colour shots.
Removing the colour helps take away the distractions and focus on the what's going on in the image (if there is anything going on! lol)
Those shots just don't really appeal to me in colour. The only downside of the candid take is you have to work fast and be spontaneous, for examples I kinda jumped behind the girl in the mirror and quickly took a shot..she just started to look at me when I captured it. So you have to be fast thinking at times. 5d and a 50mm are perfect for this type of work..not too big and obtrusive..a whacking great zoom lens might be less well suited.
B&W also means I don't have to worry about WB as much (it does influence the tones in conversion)
So overall I'm sure a lot of folks feel mono focusses the viewers attention better than colour...strong colours can work great if colour is a big part of your shot..if it's not I feel mono really does help get the "vibe" across better. Imagine a strong red (or any other colour) in any of those shots and it could pull your eye away from the subject..that's why mono appeals to me.
Removing the colour helps take away the distractions and focus on the what's going on in the image (if there is anything going on! lol)
Those shots just don't really appeal to me in colour. The only downside of the candid take is you have to work fast and be spontaneous, for examples I kinda jumped behind the girl in the mirror and quickly took a shot..she just started to look at me when I captured it. So you have to be fast thinking at times. 5d and a 50mm are perfect for this type of work..not too big and obtrusive..a whacking great zoom lens might be less well suited.
B&W also means I don't have to worry about WB as much (it does influence the tones in conversion)
So overall I'm sure a lot of folks feel mono focusses the viewers attention better than colour...strong colours can work great if colour is a big part of your shot..if it's not I feel mono really does help get the "vibe" across better. Imagine a strong red (or any other colour) in any of those shots and it could pull your eye away from the subject..that's why mono appeals to me.
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