When I’m trying to decide if I should use black and white processing on an image, I ask myself one important question: Does the structure of the elements justify its usage?
When you think of structure, you may think of architectural details. Yes, that’s one interpretation, but everything has a structure.
The first two images show a Hosta plant during a downpour of rain at Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon. Initially, I was disappointed to visit on a rainy day. However, while researching the garden later, I found visitors often seek out rainy days.
The color image shows off the green colors in the leaves. The monochrome image shows off the structure of the elements. The contrasting edge color, the curving veins of the leaves, and the glossiness created by the rain, shine in the black and white version.
The next two images show a Borealosuchus crocodile skeleton cast at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. As soon as I entered this museum, the photographer part of my brain started imagining everything in black and white.
The color version shows the skeleton in warm tones and a recreation of what they looked like in life focuses on a vibrant creature. The black and white version highlights the structure of the elements. Whenever a skeleton is displayed well, you’ll notice its exquisite details.
Sometimes when you create a monochromatic version, you’ll find hidden surprises. The reflections from other displays across from the crocodile made this into what appeared to be a double exposure.
The next two images show barrels at Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. For certain brews, beer is aged in barrels once containing whiskey, tequila, and other liquor.
The color version shows the varying colors of the aged wood in the barrels. The black and white version also shows the age of the barrels, but emphasizes the orderliness of the storage and the structure of the stairs.
The last two images show the view from an overlook at the Paint Pots trail in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This picture shows dense forests, mountains in the distance, steaming thermal features, and a sky full of puffy clouds.
The color version highlights the cool tones of the sky and forest and the warm tones of the soil around the hot springs. The black and white version lets the cloudscape be the main feature. The thermal features blend into the foreground.
Is a color or monochrome version best? Sometimes there is no right answer. As photographers, we try to capture a moment in time for viewers. With a touch of magic, we help them “see” what they may not have noticed, in color or black and white.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Exploring Color vs Black & White
The barrels is my favourite, they worked well in B&W
Thanks, Brian! Maybe you were dreaming of what was inside those barrels. 😉
Could be as well Siobhan 😁
Great examples, well done.
Thanks, John! 🙂
I think it is like you said, some things work and some don’t, I agree you have to work out which is best for the colour. These are fantastic.
Thanks so much, Leanne! What “works” is sort of subjective.
Siobhan, you expressed yourself and the issue at hand so well. The photos tell different stories in each set. Beautifully captured/edited!
Thanks, Egidio! It was fun to look through my archives to find photos for this challenge.
Excellent examples!
The crocodile(s) is my favorite.
Thank you! That museum had so many great fossils it was hard to choose which to photograph. 🙂
All these work well, I particularly like the crocodile. I love a wet rainy day for my photography. I’ve taken some of my favourite images in the worst weather.
Thanks, Steve! Yeah, I also liked the crocodile. Rain gives everything a different perspective.
I think your examples all work equally in both formats but for different reasons – as you say, form becomes more apparent when you remove the colour.
Thanks, Sarah! It’s hard to choose a favorite sometimes.
I love your response to the challenge. I like the way your black and white images show the structures of the first two images. I like both images of Yellowstone.
Thanks! 😄 Yeah, the Yellowstone photos, in particular, were the hardest to choose a “best” version.
I can understand why it would be hard to choose but I personally love the black and white crocodile.
Yes, I agree! That’s why I enjoyed my time at a place with so many skeletons and fossils.
I loved your croc image Siobhan, really well composed. All fine examples for the challenge and in each case there are reasons to support either version. Well done!
Thanks, Tina! The crocodile was a crowd favorite, for good reason. 🙂
There’s definitely no right or wrong with this challenge, everything is so subjective. While I think colour versions worked better the last one is tricky, both are beautiful in their own way.
Yes, Sofia, it is a subjective decision. Working with black and white makes you think of shapes in a different way. Some of the old black and white movies paid so much attention to what to show and how to show it.
What a beautiful set, Siobhan, and a wonderful explanation to go along with each one. Really, a great post!
Thank you, Patti! Just a reminder… all comments are reviewed prior to posting to eliminate spam. Some of it is pretty bad. Sorry that comments are not posted immediately. 🙂
Great post and great examples! They all work well, but the crocodile one is the star!
Thanks, Ann-Christine! Yes, the crocodile was a crowd favorite. 🙂
Color on all, but the wine cellar is great in B&W too.