frank granovski Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 I prefer color because it's harder to screw up with and it's cheaper to get developed. However, I just bought several rolls of B&W film the other day. Personally, I like both, along with color slides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjords Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 Steve then there are times that only B&W<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_schneider1 Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 1) I have more control of contrast using b/w (large-format trickle down from younger days) 2) Wider choice of printing papers for traditional darkroom work 3) About 20 years ago I carried equipment for both b/w and color. Too cumbersome, so I simplified and chose b/w. Never looked back. 4) I get some quiet time alone in my darkroom with my choice of music in the background. 5) I do b/w better than color. 6) Silver prints have a nifty look. 7) Platinum prints look nifty too. 8) The darkroom smells make me think I'm doing real work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey_trautenberg1 Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 One first responds to the geometry and form of an image, then to its texture including ambient sounds and smells, and then to the colors within. It is how our brain reacts to life. Strip away the more complicated aspects and we have "primitive" B&W. Plus, I keep deluding myself in thinking silver based B&W still surpasses digital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee_shively Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 Because I'm simple-minded and having only two colors is easier to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 "My main point was: why not try to record reality. God gave us color sight, why not use it." Stephen, what do you dream in? Colour or B&W? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 You sort of already provided us with the right answer to your own question <i>("I just hope they get the developing process right").</i> <p>If you shoot B&W and develop everything yourself, you can get the developing process perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 Getting back to citations, see the second last response just above. Dreaming is one thing but cameras another. If God gave us a digital camera (and >95% of the photographers in the world use such a thing today), then why do some of us still use a Leica built up to 50 or more years ago? Hmm?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted May 14, 2005 Author Share Posted May 14, 2005 Eric, I do remember dreaming in color, on occasion. I used to write down what my dream was if I waked up after. I always wake up before I'm finished. ;*) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_britt1 Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 As someone mentioned, the photo elimination of the color distraction... a more selective perspective. One example is the advertising in some of the major fashion magazines. Many of the most striking ads are in black and white. I was just in San Francisco and shot four rolls of b/w and one color. the black and white is more interesting and I'm looking forward to getting in the darkroom and making some prints. Since converting from professional to hobbyist (or "personal work" ?) I find I like the feel and look of black and white even though I can now work with color easily in the computer and scan the images I like. I'm sure I'll be shooting more black and white than color in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank granovski Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 Re: "My main point was: why not try to record reality. God gave us color sight, why not use it." A good chunk of the male population is colour blind. Dreams come both in colour and B&W. ;*) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 Not forgetting the old adage: <p><b> If it's color, it's porn; <br> if it's black and white, it's art.</b> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjords Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 and if it's art? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy_tok Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 Hmmm, I grew up in Kuantan, Malaysia. I was the photographer for the annual schoolbook, and yes, the prints I got back were indeed lousy. Germany's a photographer's paradise in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 <i>"... and if it's art? ..."</i><p>What's art? Is everything art? Who decides what's art? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_obaldo Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 'Dreams come both in colour and B&W. ;*)' Frank G., this is a cool one !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjords Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 <art>it's an old adage. The paintings in the cave of Lascaux incorporated color. The Sistine ceiling is in color, but not pornographic. Bernini's vatican sculpture monochromatic and (lets say is overtly sensual). Things were originally monochromatic because of technical limitations, and economic concerns, not aesthetic considerations. ying-yang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee_shively Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 "What's art? Is everything art? Who decides what's art?" I'll volunteer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red dawn Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 Hi you guys are deceiving yourselves. Leica users shoot black and white cos it makes us feel like we're the world's greatest living photographer(s) standing there on the streets with our 1950 era Leica Ms and good old Tri-X / black n white film of your choice loaded in it. You know, just like how HCB / Garry Winogrand and other masters did it! yeah! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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