Black and white VS. color
We all see in color, but it takes a certain skill to visualize in black and white. Compared to color photos, black and white photos evoke more emotion. Texture is important for both color and black and white, but texture in a black and white photo is usually not missed. It can become the center of attention. These elements in a photo can set a mood, or tug you into a distant memory. Lauren Phillips a professional event photographer stated, “There are certain things that come through more strongly in black and white photos than in color photos. For example, texture. Color photos can deceive us and make a texture less obvious to the eye, but black and white photos show texture in a very intense way. This provokes a strong reaction from the viewer.” This may not affect everyone in the same way, but it will undoubtedly make an impact.
In all reality black and white photos make a statement, not only with the imagery but also with the texture, tone and contrast. The tone of a color photo usually needs to be somewhat realistic to be pleasing. For instance, most people do not find a color portrait to be pleasing to the eye if it’s orangey. However, in a black and white portrait the lack of color is pleasing. Contrast in a color photo can also make for a displeasing or unnatural look, yet contrast in a black and white photo will make subjects or scenery stand out and pop. “Black and white photos give you their information by using luminance variations, not by showing variations in color. Your thoughts are not distracted by the colors and therefore the attention goes to subject, composition and lighting.” –Elja Trum writes.
Black and white photos draw the viewer’s attention the subject, giving a clear vision of the center of importance. “One reason black and white photography creates such feeling is the contrast between the dark and light shades of black, white and gray. The human eye notices two things when looking at a photo color and contrast. With no color to view, your eye becomes even more sensitive to the sharp contrasts in black and white photos; creating a stronger, more moving image.” –Lauren Phillips. The lack of color creates a mood. Lighting already is important for setting moods, designers know this and use this to create an ambiance in restaurants. The same ideas apply to black and white photography. A pleasant landscape can become a dark and ominous place, or red flower now suddenly becomes idea of love and beauty. “Black and White photos are a step away from realistic representation.” writes Bruce Warren, author of Digital Photography. Black and white images take on a different setting. A black and white portrait will show you who the subject is, you can see the emotion coming through instead of getting distracted by color. Black and white photography will leave you to make up your own feeling about a scene without color to distract you and give you a preconceived idea of the purpose of a photo based on your personal reaction to particular colors. Meaning if blue makes you think of being sad or red makes you think of love, well these colors are gone and you now can see the photo the photographer meant for you to see it and gain a greater appreciation.
Diana Eftaiha wrote “The main downside to Color, for some photographers, is that it can easily pull the attention away from the original meaning and purpose of a particular image to a completely different one. This is not to say that color is bad, this is just stating the facts so you can evaluate (and help your viewers evaluate, so to speak) the real message behind your photograph.”
We all see in color, but it takes a certain skill to visualize in black and white. Compared to color photos, black and white photos evoke more emotion. Texture is important for both color and black and white, but texture in a black and white photo is usually not missed. It can become the center of attention. These elements in a photo can set a mood, or tug you into a distant memory. Lauren Phillips a professional event photographer stated, “There are certain things that come through more strongly in black and white photos than in color photos. For example, texture. Color photos can deceive us and make a texture less obvious to the eye, but black and white photos show texture in a very intense way. This provokes a strong reaction from the viewer.” This may not affect everyone in the same way, but it will undoubtedly make an impact.
In all reality black and white photos make a statement, not only with the imagery but also with the texture, tone and contrast. The tone of a color photo usually needs to be somewhat realistic to be pleasing. For instance, most people do not find a color portrait to be pleasing to the eye if it’s orangey. However, in a black and white portrait the lack of color is pleasing. Contrast in a color photo can also make for a displeasing or unnatural look, yet contrast in a black and white photo will make subjects or scenery stand out and pop. “Black and white photos give you their information by using luminance variations, not by showing variations in color. Your thoughts are not distracted by the colors and therefore the attention goes to subject, composition and lighting.” –Elja Trum writes.
Black and white photos draw the viewer’s attention the subject, giving a clear vision of the center of importance. “One reason black and white photography creates such feeling is the contrast between the dark and light shades of black, white and gray. The human eye notices two things when looking at a photo color and contrast. With no color to view, your eye becomes even more sensitive to the sharp contrasts in black and white photos; creating a stronger, more moving image.” –Lauren Phillips. The lack of color creates a mood. Lighting already is important for setting moods, designers know this and use this to create an ambiance in restaurants. The same ideas apply to black and white photography. A pleasant landscape can become a dark and ominous place, or red flower now suddenly becomes idea of love and beauty. “Black and White photos are a step away from realistic representation.” writes Bruce Warren, author of Digital Photography. Black and white images take on a different setting. A black and white portrait will show you who the subject is, you can see the emotion coming through instead of getting distracted by color. Black and white photography will leave you to make up your own feeling about a scene without color to distract you and give you a preconceived idea of the purpose of a photo based on your personal reaction to particular colors. Meaning if blue makes you think of being sad or red makes you think of love, well these colors are gone and you now can see the photo the photographer meant for you to see it and gain a greater appreciation.
Diana Eftaiha wrote “The main downside to Color, for some photographers, is that it can easily pull the attention away from the original meaning and purpose of a particular image to a completely different one. This is not to say that color is bad, this is just stating the facts so you can evaluate (and help your viewers evaluate, so to speak) the real message behind your photograph.”
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