choosing black and white

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What is it about black and white photography? I gravitate towards the medium so often. I love how it allows the light to sing, the lines to dance, the repetition to take center stage and for all the elements to tell a story in a way that color photography can, but doesn’t always do for me. When I am frustrated with post processing, I will often cross over to black and white just to see the shot in a cleaner way. Much like a painter might do by flipping her canvas sideways or completely upside down- a new perspective is gained in the work. Sometimes, I immediately know that an image should be void of color.

 How do you decide on color or black and white? Whether you’re a film photographer or digital, we get to make a choice – how do you make yours?

Keep chasing that light, Vanessa

Chasing sunbeams

In Seasons

10 Comments

  1. I’m too in love with color to go black and white often, but I love it in those situations where the white balance is all wrong. I also like to photograph old objects in be. My 1908 typewriter, for instance, looks right at home in black and white.

  2. your images in b/w are so yummy vanessa. i’ve always loved them. i rarely use b/w but maybe i should challenge myself to…!! i often go to it when i’ve taken pictures at night and the light is funky… i love the classic b/w in images of my kids and their faces, especially. love that last shot of your girl!!

  3. I’m a color shooter so I admire the way you see things in black and white… Gorgeous images, especially the one of the shoes!

    • When I first started photography, we only shot in black and white film (because we were also developing our own in the lab) I think that is partly where my love for it comes from!

  5. What gorgeous images! I think I’m sometimes “afraid” of black and white, thinking my images will be boring. But when I do shoot or edit in BW, I’m usually happily surprised at how much I like the outcome. I especially love portraits in BW as they really do feel timeless.

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