Why Do You Shoot B&W?

[frank granovski]

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.

[fjords]

Steve then there are times that only B&W<div></div>

[bill_schneider1]

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.

[harvey_trautenberg1]

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.

[lee_shively]

Because I'm simple-minded and having only two colors is easier to deal with.

[EricM]

"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?

[michael_kastner]

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.

[michael_kastner]

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??

[stephen_w.]

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. ;*)

[jim_britt1]

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.

[frank granovski]

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. ;*)

[vic_.]

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>

[fjords]

and if it's art?

[jeremy_tok]

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.

[vic_.]

<i>"... and if it's art? ..."</i>

<p>

What's art? Is everything art? Who decides what's art?

[peter_obaldo]

'Dreams come both in colour and B&W. ;*)'

 

Frank G., this is a cool one !!!

[fjords]

<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.

[lee_shively]

"What's art? Is everything art? Who decides what's art?"

 

I'll volunteer.

[red dawn]

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! :)