Page 1 of 11 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 109

Thread: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    currently Boulder, CO; formerly Seattle, WA.
    Posts
    210

    Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    Ok, I've been wondering this for a long time, and I'm trying to find a way of saying this without seeming condescending or judgmental. But I really am curious. For me it has never really been a consideration, once I discovered large format color negative film and decided to stop trying to be an Adams or Weston, I knew color would be my preferred medium. Almost all of the photographers I look up to shoot color, the only real exception being Hiroshi Sugimoto. Now, I am not saying that I have anything against black and white, but that for the type of work I do I have no desire to shoot it. And this in turn leads to my preference for viewing color photographs too.

    So, in an attempt at understanding, why do you choose to shoot black and white over color? Is it for aesthetic reasons such as adding a layer of abstraction? Is it process oriented, ie. you like developing and printing in a traditional darkroom? Or because black and white materials are cheaper? Do you think of things in black and white, focusing more on shape, tone, and texture than color? Is it based on the subject matter you tend to shoot?

    Also, if you shoot both black and white and color, how do you decide which to use for a particular subject? If you are putting together a body of work (say for an exhibition) how do you mix the two? Or do you? Do you feel ok putting a black and white print next to a color print? Or do you think of them as separate things that cannot be mixed in a series or show?

    Sorry for the long winded question, but as a devout color shooter I am just trying to understand......
    ----------------------
    http://adamsatushek.com

  2. #2
    bob carnie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario,
    Posts
    4,939

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    I believe Black and White silver print materials have better archival properties.

    though I am now working with colour neg for tri colour carbons so the argument would then be silly as carbon pigments are very good.

  3. #3
    Resident Heretic Bruce Watson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    USA, North Carolina
    Posts
    3,362

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    I shoot both, about half and half. As to which I use for a given photograph, it depends on what I'm trying to accomplish. If I'm trying to show the underlying textures and visual rhythms of a scene, then color can camouflage exactly what I'm trying to expose. On the other hand, if the subject is about color or the relationships between colors, then color is the only way to go.

    So... is your photograph about the shape of the clouds, or the color of the sky?

    Bruce Watson

  4. #4
    Greg Lockrey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Temperance, MI
    Posts
    1,980

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    B&W is art. Color is illustration.
    Greg Lockrey

    Wealth is a state of mind.
    Money is just a tool.
    Happiness is pedaling +25mph on a smooth road.



  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    3

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    For a long time I've always shot a mixture of B&W and color. It is always a little tricky trying to figure out how to display my images. I shoot similar whether I'm using color or B&W and obviously get very different results with each. I really like that I can make fiber prints in my darkroom, but at the same time, I'd rather be out taking photographs than in the dark dealing with chemistry.

    Color has an additional creative layer. I find it more challenging than B&W. When I'm looking at other mediums (painting, sculpture, drawings, etc) I'm always more drawn to and impressed by the color work. Interesting color is just as important as composition in my opinion.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    NJ / NYC, USA.
    Posts
    331

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    To photograph color well, I think one must be acutely aware of color. By that I mean you must not just notice colorful things, but analyze the relationships of colors to each other within a composition, and understand how the color temperature, quality, and direction of light either accentuates or mutes these colors. The color of objects is an actual part of the finished package.

    To photograph black and white well, I think one must be acutely aware of tonality and tonal relationships. This requires an understanding of how colors will translate to a grayscale, and relies more on the interpretation of things such as form, shape, motion, and texture to create an emotional impact, as color is no longer part of the equation.

    One's choice between color or black and white is largely dependent upon what you wish notice when out photographing, or what photographers often refer to as how you wish to "see". I think if colors are of primary impact and enjoyment then one should work in color. If the beauty of tonal relationships is more important, then black and white.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Seattle, Washington
    Posts
    3,020

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    The short answer is, I shoot B&W because I prefer B&W. Why do you shoot color? It's not a simple question to answer, and Im not convinced we always know the answers to these kinds of questions. I could regurgitate arguments I've read that seem cogent, or cite precedents that validate the choice, in my mind, or share anecdotes about my formative years, but none would necessarily represent an accurate basis for my preference. Maybe the choice is a simple one for others, but it's not for me. Probably not the response you were hoping for.

  8. #8
    Vaughn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Humboldt County, CA
    Posts
    9,206

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    People see color differently -- color blindness, or just differently. B&W thus tends to be a bit more universal, but there are plenty of exceptions.

    I find that a great majority of people using color material do not actually use color effectively in their composition -- just like the majority of B&W photographers fail to use light (light intensity?) effectively in composition.

    Fortunately, most of the folks here seem to either of both much better than the average.

    Vaughn

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Portland, OR USA
    Posts
    747

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    I've known several photographers who have a really good eye for color. I don't. We envy each other.
    Give me line, structure, contrast in black-and-white. I do shoot color. I like it almost monochromatic, like b&w. Can't help it.

    Peter Gomena

  10. #10
    8x10, 5x7, 4x5, et al Leigh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Maryland, USA
    Posts
    5,454

    Re: Why do you shoot Black and White over Color?

    Quote Originally Posted by adam satushek View Post
    ...why do you choose to shoot black and white over color?
    We often got that question from students at school. Our standard answer was...

    Black and white is a fantasy.
    When someone sees a b&w photo, they know they've been transported into another place and time.

    It's a unique art form, interpreting reality in a way that's not possible with more 'realistic' techniques.

    - Leigh
    If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.

Similar Threads

  1. The New Color: The Return of Black-and-White
    By tim atherton in forum On Photography
    Replies: 113
    Last Post: 26-Oct-2011, 09:16
  2. Black and White - BW film or Color??
    By Hugh Sakols in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 21-Jun-2005, 20:44
  3. Black and White guy wants to shoot Color
    By paulr in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 26-Aug-2004, 09:06
  4. Can Color Densitometers Also Do Black and White?
    By octagon in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-May-2002, 14:16

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •