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Black and White/Toned images
I was prompted to start this thread by a comment on a pic. I suggested B/W as a possibility and one response was "there's no need".
My instinctive thought was "what's it got to do with need" until I realised that's exactly how I determine whether to tone: is there a need?!
I used to shoot B/W film years ago as I like textures and contrast (and to be honest found it easier not having to deal with the added complication of colour) but really don't "think" in B/W anymore
Just wondered what others thought - appreciate that some use it out of preference, so I guess query is aimed at those that primarily use colour
Do you comp for B/W?
Use it if necessary?
Use it to vary the Portfolio?
My instinctive thought was "what's it got to do with need" until I realised that's exactly how I determine whether to tone: is there a need?!
I used to shoot B/W film years ago as I like textures and contrast (and to be honest found it easier not having to deal with the added complication of colour) but really don't "think" in B/W anymore
Just wondered what others thought - appreciate that some use it out of preference, so I guess query is aimed at those that primarily use colour
Do you comp for B/W?
Use it if necessary?
Use it to vary the Portfolio?
I'm a colour man myself and tend to put shots in b&w post shooting, if I think they will suit it better than colour.
I'm not sure whether people will agree with me but I feel if I shoot in colour I can do anything I want after, if I shoot in b&w all I can do is tone it.
Ian
I'm not sure whether people will agree with me but I feel if I shoot in colour I can do anything I want after, if I shoot in b&w all I can do is tone it.
Ian
I do prefer to work in black and white or should we call it monochrome? I do like to tone my pictures but don't see it as a need but rather as what would suit an image. I personally find it quite instinctive and generally I already 'know' what tone I would like to apply as I'm already imagining the final picture when I click the shutter.
Perhaps another way of looking at it is some colours suit some cars whilst others don't. I would never want to see a Ferrari in anything other than red. A BMW in yellow is just plain ridiculous as is a Range Rover in lime green.
Dave
Perhaps another way of looking at it is some colours suit some cars whilst others don't. I would never want to see a Ferrari in anything other than red. A BMW in yellow is just plain ridiculous as is a Range Rover in lime green.
Dave
A BMW in yellow is just plain ridiculous
What's yellow got to do with it Dave?
lol
Ian
What's yellow got to do with it Dave?
lol
Ian
Dave, you obviously can think in finished pic (something I still find difficult) but I'm not sure if the price isn't too high if it means utterances like the 2nd para 
And I think you meant "A BMW is just plain ridiculous" (sure there'll be trouble from the Beamer brigade now!)
And I think you meant "A BMW is just plain ridiculous" (sure there'll be trouble from the Beamer brigade now!)
Don't you mean light & dark hearted!
Eeek - I think that comment might have been by me... was it this one?
I thought the textures were strong enough in colour without resorting to b&w, plus I just like the colour of rust... but that's not to say you're wrong, I suspect it'll look good in b&w, I just liked the colour version.
With regard to your questions - very occasionally I will shoot in black & white, but usually convert afterwards if I think it'll enhance the texture.
b
I thought the textures were strong enough in colour without resorting to b&w, plus I just like the colour of rust... but that's not to say you're wrong, I suspect it'll look good in b&w, I just liked the colour version.
With regard to your questions - very occasionally I will shoot in black & white, but usually convert afterwards if I think it'll enhance the texture.
b
S%$ - I bin rumbled! 'Twas you Ben that got me thinking along these lines - you'll see from the above I totally agree with you - I'll even add my thanks for making me think! Tho' the full story is that Paul's often suggesting I tone one of my pics (hence the yes/no bit)
And Dave, didn't disagree with your comments re. car colours but....
And Dave, didn't disagree with your comments re. car colours but....
But what?
I'm just expressing my personal opinion that particular (colour)tones suit particular images. It is just the way I see it.
And I feel the same about particular colours for particular cars.
Particular colour clothes for particular people (and colour combinations of clothes)
Particular colours/decor suit particular rooms and so on.....
Maybe its me who just thinks this way?
Anyone else see it like that or am I a one off? (I do hope so).
Dave
I'm just expressing my personal opinion that particular (colour)tones suit particular images. It is just the way I see it.
And I feel the same about particular colours for particular cars.
Particular colour clothes for particular people (and colour combinations of clothes)
Particular colours/decor suit particular rooms and so on.....
Maybe its me who just thinks this way?
Anyone else see it like that or am I a one off? (I do hope so).
Dave
But nothing really, Dave. Sorry if it irritated you - not intended to do so.
Thanks Dave
Hey cool, a forum inspired by my pic.... or at least a comment on it.
I love black and white, my father regularly says 'black and white - surely there's no need for it now we've got colour' - but that's so far away from how I feel it's untrue. I think it can completely turn the mood of a shot round, highlight different features and used well is amazing.
In answer to the question, since I've got a camera where you can't set it to BnW (which shocked me a little at first) - I never have to decide at the scene of the crime/shot. But this does also make me forget the fact that I actually can do it later. I've only recently started being more aware of the BnW option when looking through my pics. So - only now and again do I think something will definitely work at the moment of shooting, and post production brings it up. I don't think of it in terms of broadening my portfolio - well maybe subconsciously.
Paul
I love black and white, my father regularly says 'black and white - surely there's no need for it now we've got colour' - but that's so far away from how I feel it's untrue. I think it can completely turn the mood of a shot round, highlight different features and used well is amazing.
In answer to the question, since I've got a camera where you can't set it to BnW (which shocked me a little at first) - I never have to decide at the scene of the crime/shot. But this does also make me forget the fact that I actually can do it later. I've only recently started being more aware of the BnW option when looking through my pics. So - only now and again do I think something will definitely work at the moment of shooting, and post production brings it up. I don't think of it in terms of broadening my portfolio - well maybe subconsciously.
Paul
