Black and White
What Black and White Photography Means to Me
What Black and White Photography Means to Me
Black and white photography captures or creates meaning with only two colors. Professionals utilize black and white to strip away unessential elements of an image, focusing deeper attention on shapes, textures and subjects. Most of us do not see in black and white, so these photographs take us somewhere outside of our normal reality. If they are powerful enough, they push us to see the world specifically through the photographer’s lens and mind.
Black and white photography captures or creates meaning with only two colors. Professionals utilize black and white to strip away unessential elements of an image, focusing deeper attention on shapes, textures and subjects. Most of us do not see in black and white, so these photographs take us somewhere outside of our normal reality. If they are powerful enough, they push us to see the world specifically through the photographer’s lens and mind.
Because black and white photography removes an important tool (color) from a photographer’s repertoire, it can be harder than color photography. Imagine doing your favorite task, but without one of your most important tools.
Because black and white photography removes an important tool (color) from a photographer’s repertoire, it can be harder than color photography. Imagine doing your favorite task, but without one of your most important tools.
As a result, good black and white photographers learn to think and see in two colors. They intentionally simplify or structure their images, often reducing them until they have the bare minimum of elements to communicate their meaning.
As a result, good black and white photographers learn to think and see in two colors. They intentionally simplify or structure their images, often reducing them until they have the bare minimum of elements to communicate their meaning.
In addition, photographers edit their black and white photographs just as heavily as color photographers (sometimes more so). It is tempting to think that Ansel Adams simply shot his images, and then just printed them out, but that is not the case. Editing has always been central to good photography.
In addition, photographers edit their black and white photographs just as heavily as color photographers (sometimes more so). It is tempting to think that Ansel Adams simply shot his images, and then just printed them out, but that is not the case. Editing has always been central to good photography.
Composition and editing for black and white photography is a world in itself, with countless books, videos and websites describing various schools, artists and techniques.
Composition and editing for black and white photography is a world in itself, with countless books, videos and websites describing various schools, artists and techniques.
My black and white photographs are not particularly intentional. Rather, I use black and white photography to create meaning when I feel the colors are distracting or weak. I compose in color, and then remove that color in the editing process. This process is quite enjoyable, if not always successful.
My black and white photographs are not particularly intentional. Rather, I use black and white photography to create meaning when I feel the colors are distracting or weak. I compose in color, and then remove that color in the editing process. This process is quite enjoyable, if not always successful.
It’s fun to think about how varied a single image can look when converted to black and white. Here is a color picture from rural New Mexico. By converting it to black and white, and then changing a number of settings in Adobe Lightroom, I can dramatically alter the mood and meaning of the image.
It’s fun to think about how varied a single image can look when converted to black and white. Here is a color picture from rural New Mexico. By converting it to black and white, and then changing a number of settings in Adobe Lightroom, I can dramatically alter the mood and meaning of the image.
Even simpler, it’s fun to think about color and darkness/lightness. When I convert an image to black and white, the reds become gray. But do they become dark gray or light gray? Below is the same image converted to black and white with the reds converted to light and dark. Any color can be thus edited, creating vastly different outcomes.
Even simpler, it’s fun to think about color and darkness/lightness. When I convert an image to black and white, the reds become gray. But do they become dark gray or light gray? Below is the same image converted to black and white with the reds converted to light and dark. Any color can be thus edited, creating vastly different outcomes.
While I will never be a professional photographer, I do enjoy using photography as a means of self-expression. I take pride in my attempts to convey the world as infinitely variable, as always open to interpretation and creation. I have fun learning to communicate more effectively through imagery. And I value the role that amateur photographers play in shaping the many ways in which we all see the world.
While I will never be a professional photographer, I do enjoy using photography as a means of self-expression. I take pride in my attempts to convey the world as infinitely variable, as always open to interpretation and creation. I have fun learning to communicate more effectively through imagery. And I value the role that amateur photographers play in shaping the many ways in which we all see the world.