Funny, I have always loved B&W photography much more than color. It even extends, to a degree, to art. Have always loved pencil work, charcoal. No idea why, but it is so minimalist it appeals to me. And B&W photos seem so stark and so capable of showing incredible emotion.
I've had many discussion regarding the mystique of black and white even published an e-book on the phenomenon also dealt with in my Masters thesis "The Role of Presupposition in the Perception of Art."
I think the emotional impact of color is eliminated in a black and white image and that allows the essence, the inherent qualities of subject , to transmit themselves in a way that color masks and from which it distracts our personal involvement. My opinion.
Can you change the second pic to black and white? With judicious cropping, that tree would look spectacular in black and white! If you don't already know it, as AMac about the Rule of Thirds.
I told A. Mac to go ahead with the B/W conversion. As for the "Rule of Thirds," I'm aware of it. Actually, what I was trying to get a picture of was that building in the background. At the time I began, the tip-top of the building was a bright orangey-pink, but by the time I was able to get it framed, that glow was gone, so the building didn't stand out.
There are a number of possibilities for a black and white variation/modification of the second image as Terry aptly noted. Let me do one-at-a-time and explain the thinking behind it.
I adjusted the color by desaturating it; rather than simply convert it to black and white, by desaturating insteadm I get a greater range of midtones. I increased the contrast after that and in one shot, eliminated the distracting building from the original (after doing the initial cropping).
The result, I believe is a mysterious and striking portrait of an old tree.
In my admittedly amateurish playing around, I did a color pic and a black and white pic of the older part of the cemetary in my town. The difference is night and day. The color pic just looked like an old cemetary on a sunny day. The B&W had a much more sombering effect, IMO...and I like it much better.
(note) after I pasted this, it was really stretched. Any idea how to stop that from happening on the site?)
Stayin' busy -- bein' productive.
It keeps me off the street.
Should we be worried, Mac?
Really great posters. I love the fawn.
Not if you're indoors.
One of the better arguments for a strong second amendment!
Not if I see you first!
It's like a neighborhood thing.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Funny, I have always loved B&W photography much more than color. It even extends, to a degree, to art. Have always loved pencil work, charcoal. No idea why, but it is so minimalist it appeals to me. And B&W photos seem so stark and so capable of showing incredible emotion.
I've had many discussion regarding the mystique of black and white even published an e-book on the phenomenon also dealt with in my Masters thesis "The Role of Presupposition in the Perception of Art."
I think the emotional impact of color is eliminated in a black and white image and that allows the essence, the inherent qualities of subject , to transmit themselves in a way that color masks and from which it distracts our personal involvement. My opinion.
Here's one of my own favorites.
Hmmmm, interesting. You may well be right.
Ansell Adams, for example.
I have always loved his photography.
Terry,
I took this on Christmas, 2011 at Yosemite.
Thank you Stephi.
Wow! Really nice! Makes my stuff look like... well, stuff. A. Mac, your work always reminds me what true art really is.
Here's one that I took with my new Nikon Coolpix:
It was a gorgeous sunset -
These were taken on January 21, 2013. By me (for a change)!
Don't denigrate your work; every click of the shutter is one click closer to where you want to be.
I consider B&W to be much more dramatic. I. too, did an article on the effect of changing colour photos to B&W.
I remember the article Buzz; glad you provided the link.
You are sweet, A. Mac! Thanks!
I love that fish and the fawn is darling!
Great job!!!
Thanks for that.
Can you change the second pic to black and white? With judicious cropping, that tree would look spectacular in black and white! If you don't already know it, as AMac about the Rule of Thirds.
wmolaw is correct about desaturizing (desaturating?) the colour of the tree photo. It could make it take on an eerie look.
Terry,
Excellent critique; components of that image have solid potential if modified with bitey's permission, I'll have a whack at working with your specs.
Be my guest! I'd love to see what you can do with stuff I submit!
I told A. Mac to go ahead with the B/W conversion. As for the "Rule of Thirds," I'm aware of it. Actually, what I was trying to get a picture of was that building in the background. At the time I began, the tip-top of the building was a bright orangey-pink, but by the time I was able to get it framed, that glow was gone, so the building didn't stand out.
I'll make the conversion and post it in this thread.
Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing it!
There are a number of possibilities for a black and white variation/modification of the second image as Terry aptly noted. Let me do one-at-a-time and explain the thinking behind it.
The result, I believe is a mysterious and striking portrait of an old tree.
Your comments/criticisms are welcomed.
What's to criticize? I love it!
Gorgeous! Can't wait to see more.
Brother ^
Sister v
Here's another example of desaturating and jacking up the contrast in order to make a tree look more interesting than an ordinary colour shot.
Wow! That is simply GORGEOUS!!!!!
AMac -
In my admittedly amateurish playing around, I did a color pic and a black and white pic of the older part of the cemetary in my town. The difference is night and day. The color pic just looked like an old cemetary on a sunny day. The B&W had a much more sombering effect, IMO...and I like it much better.
(note) after I pasted this, it was really stretched. Any idea how to stop that from happening on the site?)