Getting down to the nitty gritty

Crocuses in black & white

Black and White Photography does more to evoke an emotion and freeze a moment in time than any other medium…  The subtle tones of grays, the strong emphasis of the Blacks, and the softness of the Whites makes one look much closer at the subject and composition due to the lack of natural color.  Emotions are always much easier to portray with Black and White, because of the stark contrasts and the sharp focus on the subject.

~ Bob Snell

Scott’s Assignment 24 is Black & White Photography.  I don’t use black and white often, but it is a tool in my photography toolbox.  To me, divesting an image of color is a good way to highlight the details of the image and bring out the texture.  It also has an emotional, sometimes dramatic, component to it that you can’t get with color.

There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.

~ Stefan Kanfer

Glitz

You might recognize the first two photos in this series.  I brought them to you in color back at Ye Olde Blogg home.  (If you want to have a look, you’ll find the first one here and the second one there.)

Panache

As part of this assignment, Scott wants to know why we decided on a black and white presentation of the image(s).  I converted the images above because I wanted to show the texture and detail of the flowers, the grasses, the leaves, and the frost.  I also think it brings out the play of light more than in the color versions.

A giggly girl. (2006)

Sometimes I convert my color images to black and white because the photo looks better in black and white.  Black and white can hide a multitude of sins, including overexposure (or chapped, red cheeks on a little girl with a cold).

Full out laughter

And then there is the dramatic effect.  Perhaps there is a seriousness about the moment that is better suited to black and white.

World War II veteran looking at the names of his brothers who also served during WWII at the World War II Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Thank you, Scott, for another interesting assignment.

A rainy day at the playground (2008)

And thank you all for joining me as I experiment with black and white.  Regular walks will resume soon.  For those who are interested in the almost-daily weather reports, on this first day of spring winter still has a firm grip on us here in the Bogs.  The temperature was in the 20’s (F) today and the lake-effect snow machine is working to bring flurries and snow squalls, but we were gifted with sunlight for a good part of the day.  It’s always nice to see the sun.  Ice is once again forming on the surface of the pond.  Bundle up if you want to go for a walk out there.  Otherwise, Jack Frost will surely nip at your nose, your fingers, and anything else exposed.

Splashing in the puddle (2008)

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just be.  🙂

Today’s view of the pond.