[MickB]

Just read an article in Photo Mag that said there is a resurgence in Monochrome shots. I've noticed a few people seem to shoot B&W quite a bit.

Am I missing something, as you don't see people rushing to watch B&W TV programmes. So why the increase in Photography terms, when we probably have more options open to us to get the perfect colour shots (eg. PhotoShop etc) ?

Don't get me wrong I like a decent B&W, but only in small doses

[Dabhand16]

I have to say that for me, a really top notch monochrome photograph knocks spots off any colour shot. I can't really explain why, they seem to have more impact, somhow.

It might be just a case of me being a bit colour blind, so I've never been totally comfortable with processing colour other than transparencies.

I'm not advocating just turning a colour photograph into monochrome on the computer, either. Although this can be effective, it does not always work. I think you have to be in 'monochrome mode' right from when the camera comes out of the bag. When I used to do a bit of monochrome processing, it used to affect the way I actually took pictures, and the settings I used on the camera. I'm so long out of it now, I don't think I could get back into the mindset without a long time working with monochrome.

Colour v monochrome is all about personal preference. A bit like the youth of today, deeply embedded in Sky - DVD's - and computer games not appreciating the jewel of BBC radio. All I would say is do not write mono off until you have studied some of the world's great mono photographers. Only then can you truly appreciate the art.

[Steve]

I am sure that Dave will have a great deal to say on this subject. For me I find that getting a great (read not just good) conversion from colour to B&W is still a struggle and that can make the difference between the final shot working or not. Its not so much that I don't like B&W just that I can't do them as well as I can colours

[orangepeel]

there are a couple of video tuts on radiant vista about b&w: -

The Radiant Vista - Video Tutorials - Black & White Infrared

The Radiant Vista - Video Tutorials - High Contrast Black & White


I used (or tried to use) some of the concepts in the first one for my b&w shots here: -
B&W Landscapes

I know, not much of an advert, but they where first attempts


EDIT: Forgot to mention, they as CS2 tuts.

[Dave]

The photographs I find most appealing are those that show great composition, texture , tones & detail. These can be found in both excellent Colour & Monochrome shots.

Where I find Monochrome excels for me though, is you have no spectrum of colours to distract the eye, leaving you to look at the naked structure of the photograph. On this basis when you get a Monochrome right, it is outstanding. On the same basis though it is very unforgiving to mistakes, so is a fine art to master...........that's the challenge I like.

I leave you with this quote which sums it up for me :-

"If you're photographing in colour you show the colour of their clothes - if you use black and white, you will show the colour of their soul"

[Dabhand16]

Nice one, Dave.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by orangepeel

there are a couple of video tuts on radiant vista about b&w: -

The Radiant Vista - Video Tutorials - Black & White Infrared

The Radiant Vista - Video Tutorials - High Contrast Black & White


I used (or tried to use) some of the concepts in the first one for my b&w shots here: -
B&W Landscapes

I know, not much of an advert, but they where first attempts


EDIT: Forgot to mention, they as CS2 tuts.

Thanks for the links, they are very much appreciated I'll give them a look over and see what I can manage