Walking by the Tweed on Sunday afternoon, hazy cloud muted the colours of the landscape, turning a riverside view into an image which might have come from a faded, 1960s postcard.
Converting the photo to black and white makes the image timeless but in shades of grey the similar tones of stone and grass lose definition.
Jude’s 2020 Photo Challenge #34 asks us to take a picture in colour, then convert it to black and white and compare the two. ‘Show both images for comparison. Which is best? Does the image rely on colour for impact?’
There’s not much to choose between these two images but on balance I think the original is more successful than the black and white version.
This view, taken a little further upstream on a brighter day, converts more successfully. The main subject is the row of water worn wooden posts which have a sculptural quality, not dependant on colour. Even so, the colour in the original photo helps to make sense of the distant landscape so yes, to me that one looks best.
In spring and autumn colour is an essential element of a woodland view. Late summer green doesn’t have the zing of spring or the richness of autumn so is it essential to this image?
Another take it or leave it image. The original is almost monochrome so doesn’t lose anything in conversion to black and white. Is it improved? I’m not sure.
This misty image doesn’t have much colour in it but does lose something in conversion to black and white. The warm brown of the twig, the hazy colour in the background and the tiny red point of the bud all add life to the picture.
I had to look back two years to find an image that was definitely improved by conversion to black and white. The yellow line distracts from the interlocking pattern of the shadows and the image is better without it.
And looking back to summer 2016 in the Jardin du Luxembourg, the young girl’s pink dress and hat made an eye-catching focal point to this picture but the algal green of the pond water was a distraction. The black and white version is more restful on the eye.
Much as I admire the classic quality of a skillful black and white image, my own pictures seem mostly to rely on colour.
Click on an image for a closer view.
August 25, 2020 at 7:19 pm
Nice photos and I agree with your analysis of the photos. The last two gain something in the translation to b&w–the others, not so much. My own photos are usually better in colour as well and it probably says something about my skills as a photographer…
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August 25, 2020 at 7:20 pm
Thanks for your kind comment. Black and white photography does seem to demand special skills!
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August 25, 2020 at 7:36 pm
Your analysis was spot on. I use a shareware application (Lemke Software’s GraphicConverter) for photo retouching. It can do some amazing fixes to photos, including converting to grayscale, but I agree about b/w versus color photography. They are different arts.
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August 25, 2020 at 7:39 pm
Thanks, Bob. This was an interesting challenge. It’s encouraged me to look closer at the skill involved in making a black and white image – a different art as you say.
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August 25, 2020 at 7:39 pm
Successful B&W photography definitely relies on compositions with strong contrasts in colour. More chances later in the year to practice! I like the last two in black and white. Thanks for the link 😊
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August 25, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Thanks for the challenge. It was an interesting exercise but I definitely need more practise in black and white!
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August 26, 2020 at 3:40 am
Dear Judith,
I am a emeritus professor at Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
Nowadays I am going to publish a textbook, “Plant Morpholoky
(with Koran language),” which is needed a cover picture.
I found a excellent photo on your website as attached one, and
believe that your photo must make my book to more speicial.
If you permit to use it, I would greately appreciate. Please let
me know about this matter as soon as possible.
Thank you so much for your time and effort.
Sincerely,
Kyu Bae Lee
========================
Kyu Bae Lee, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor
of Dept. of Biological Science Education
College of Education, Chosun University
Gwangju 501-759
Republic of Korea
Cell. ph.: 011-9606-7363, Home: 062-419-8521
E-mail: leekb@chosun.ac.kr kyubae1009@gmail.com
________________________________
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Judith posted: “Walking by the Tweed on Sunday afternoon, hazy cloud muted the colours of the landscape, turning a riverside view into an image which might have come from a faded, 1960s postcard. Converting the photo to black and white makes the image ti”
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August 26, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Dear Kyu Bae Lee,
Thank you for your unexpected message. Please could you tell me the subject of the photo you would like to use and, if possible, the date of the blog post where you found it?
Best wishes, Judith Ward
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August 26, 2020 at 9:22 am
I don’t know how you have processed your images, or your level of proficiency but if you do a straight conversion, and nothing else they will always tend to be a little flat. B&W images need work in the HSL sliders and the tone curve to bring out the best in an image to differentiate the tonal ranges. For example the blue slider will darken a sky, the yellow slider lighten or darken a field.
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August 26, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for that helpful information. I’ll experiment with the different tone curves.
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August 26, 2020 at 9:34 am
Yes. I’ve learnt a lot from this exercise. It really isn’t as simple as just converting an image to black and white, is it? That first image definitely benefits from colour, just as your last gains something by being monochrome. Datz’s comments are interesting, but currently above my pay-grade. I’ll investigate.
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August 26, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Yes, I admire other people’s black and white images but haven’t really explored the possibilities myself.
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August 27, 2020 at 8:12 pm
I agree with your assessments too.
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