Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Black & White


Sandy K shared beautiful black & white photos over the weekend and posed the question: what is the difference between taking a b&w photo versus converting a color photo on the computer? Thought I would play around... can you tell which are taken in B&W and which are converted?
A 'real' photographer would probably choose the purist approach and take the original in B&W. However, for me the option of having a saturated, unsaturated and B&W is too tempting.

Perhaps the real advantage in shooting in B&W is the enhanced attention to 'value'.


If you love black and white, take a peek at Lick Creek Photo - Howard Hamilton was my graduate professor in Materials Engineering. He and his wife retired from academia to pursue their incredible talents in photography and are featured in various galleries in McCall Idaho. His b&w photos are wonderful.
at

11 comments:

  1. AnairamJune 17, 2009 at 2:41 AM

    Thanks for the blog b'day wishes! Hmmm, I must confess I can't tell the difference in the photos, but I do love a good B&W picture, especially of people.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Smadar's TreasureJune 17, 2009 at 6:20 AM

    I'm not an expert (actually, know nothing about photography..) but I'd guess that the first and last two are originally in B&W. I love B&W photos. Here's a link to one of my favorite B&W photographers http://www.wendellphillips.com/cuba/default.asp (his color photos are great, too)

    ReplyDelete
  3. DagmarJune 17, 2009 at 7:42 AM

    Oh yes Sandy made wonderful B&W's last weekend. Love every single one of them just like I'm in love with these ones. How nice it is to fool around with your pics hey? Love from over here.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sandy K.June 17, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    These are beautiful...I need to find some flowers! Isn't it interesting playing with your photos? I am having a VERY hard time finding the difference, but I think I like having the choice of having a color image, or B&W. I posted comparison shots today.

    So do tell - which are which?

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJune 17, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    i am not an expert when it comes to photography but no matter what form of photography i am working with, i try to keep it as natural as possible. i try to limit any post work to a minimum.

    my inspiration with black and white is cartier bresson. magnum profiles his work. magnificent!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 17, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    i would guess that the yellow rose was shot in colour and the others black and white. am i right?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Christine's ArtsJune 17, 2009 at 10:49 AM

    I think the first was taken in b&w and the rest are converted. (of the first four anyway)? Thanks for all the photos and links. they are good ones.

    ReplyDelete
  8. joyceJune 17, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    I like the third picture, I like it when it not quite clack & white, just a hint of colour in it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gina M SmithJune 17, 2009 at 7:59 PM

    You have photography and computer skills I envy! And beautiful flowers, too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. kendaleeJune 18, 2009 at 12:34 AM

    I'm always attracted to B&W pictures but have never tried to convert any of mine... I might have a bit of a play now. There's something timeless and romantic about black and white to me but I am glad that I live in a technicolour world so I think I'll probably always take pictures in colour because, as you say, then I'll have the option to enjoy both. I like options... :)

    Your garden is an absolute delight!!! And it doesn't seem to have suffered too badly from being left to itself for a while - I like a garden that's not TOOOOO manicured. As a little girl I imagined fairies preferred it that way too and always loved the slightly wilder bits of our garden.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Karen GillJune 18, 2009 at 6:53 AM

    I vote for color! :o) Flowers are marvelous!!

    ReplyDelete