A study in Black & White
Working with Black and White photography means going back to the basics. After all that was all that was available in the infancy of photography. Somewhere in the back of my mind I still believe every photographer should start with B&W, or at very least go through a monochrome study stage at some point. One look through the work of Ansel Adams will convince the most skeptical of observers that Black & White photos are a wonderful art medium.
A scientific study conducted recently would have us believe people looking at the world in B&W are more critical. That alone would be be a good reason to start off in monochrome. Using film as a budding photographer would also be an excellent teacher. To actually compose the shot and make a conscious decision as to how the finished product will be revealed while still looking through the viewfinder is a lesson all but lost with the digital equipment we all use today.
Portraits in Black & White have always been a favorite of mine. I like the way the character and personality can be uncovered so readily with monochrome rather than in color.
Landscapes, as Ansel Adams mastered so well, show very nicely with the use of monochrome. (Ansel Adams I aint)
Texture is another component of a photograph that shows well with the use of Black and White. If the contrast is increased slightly the subject seems to almost jump off of the page.
Your comments please…
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- The World Doesn’t Need Another Ansel Adams (munchow.wordpress.com)
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First of all I want to say great blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head before writing. I have had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Thanks!
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Thanks for your kind words, nice site by the way…as to the question at hand, hmmmm.
Most often I’ll let the photos do most of the talking. I have a ruff idea of what my point of view should be and will put up a title that reflects the same. As I write and re-write, I change the title. I do think research is important in any type of article. If you read other writings related to your own, the words will often flow. (often because I disagree) If there is one thing I find helps me the most it would be “not being in a rush” and sleeping on the article before publishing. I don’t know if that answers your question or not, but I do hope you stop in to see what else I’ve been up to.
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