Vent: I always passed on black and white shots until a wet sidewalk changed my view

I used to think photos without color were flat and uninteresting. Then one damp morning, I grabbed my old analog kit and snapped a scene of reflections in puddles. When I got the prints back, the contrast and textures blew me away. That single image helped me see how much mood you can build with just shadows and light. Now I reach for black and white rolls all the time for certain scenes. Have you ever been surprised by a style you used to avoid?

2 comments

2 Comments

riverp271d ago

You really find more mood without color? For me, even muted color gives way more feeling. I just miss those subtle hints too much.

holly_jones1d ago

Ever try seeing a rain-streaked window or morning fog in just black and white? For me, taking color away does something special. It makes you look at the shapes and the light in a totally different way. A face in shadow becomes more about the lines and feeling, not skin tone. Don't you find that stripping it back sometimes shows a deeper kind of feeling?