March 19, 2012

At home in Black and White...


"Off-Kilter"
(self portrait #13)


Home sweet home.  Yep, that was my first thought when I opened up the latest lesson in Kim Klassen's  "Beyond Layers" course.  It's just that "Black and White" to me.  Literally and figuratively.  I'm back in my wheel house, my comfort zone when it comes to Black and White photography.  Zippity Do Dah!  I have found that I tend to do things a bit "back a$$-ward" in my approach to many aspects of my life. Photography is no different.  My natural affinity is towards mono-tones.  Color is what gives me fits.  I often find it distracting and unnecessary.  Monotone allows me to shoot what I'm actually seeing...pattern, texture, shapes, nuances...without distraction.  I very rarely take notice of color.  I realize I'm a bit off-kilter in my natural tendencies.  My closet looks pretty much like my photos...lots of black and whites with a few different shades of neutral thrown in for good measure.   Who needs the distraction?  I'd much rather live in a world of pattern, texture, shapes and nuances (with an occassional pair of red shoes thrown in).

Even tho Kim is preaching to the choir with this current lesson, I did learn a few new editing techniques. My usual method of conversion is thru actions.  Coffeeshop's "Toasted Coconut" is my fav go-to method. Thanks Kim for sharing a new route to meander down on my road to a color-less world.  The Enhance tool on PSE to convert to b/w, and a tweak in contrast levels.  That is what I used for all these photos today.  Some are new, some are older but re-visited thru editing:


Reflections pop just a bit more in black and white...




Everyone knows how beautiful the colors are on a peacock.  But eliminate the color and you can truly notice what a peacock's vibrant colors often hide...the intricate lines and swirls of his feathers...




The original photo of this cobble stoned street is quite lovely with it's green moss growing up between the stones.  But take away the diversion of the moss and you are left with a kaleidoscope of pattern...




Architectural photography is at it's best, in my opinion, in monotone.  Graphics, angles, geometry are allowed to shine...as well as reflections...




And lest you think softness can only be achieved thru color, think again...




I wrapped these roses in newsprint and placed them on my deck for textural interest.  By eliminating the color of these pink roses, the textures were allowed to take center stage...




When you eliminate color, other features step forward in addition to pattern, like perspective...




The umbrellas in this photo are a multitude of vibrant colors which produced a beautiful visual with the sunlight streaming in from the glass roof.  However,  once converted to monotone the patterns and shadows of the sunlit roof shining thru the umbrellas took center stage instead of the colors...




Its ironic, but growing up the thing that bothered me the MOST about my dad was the fact that he always seemed to view the world in "black and white".  Not good when you are a teen-ager and intent on living life in full blown techni-color.  Had I only realized that a black and white viewpoint doesn't limit you as I believed...in fact, it pushes your creative boundaries even further and expands your possibilities.  I think I might owe him an apology....AGAIN.

--Kathy

26 comments:

  1. You are truly a B&W -master!! I'm the opposite with colors and B&W - I love colors and seeing even possibilites for B&W shots is a true learning process for me. Your self portrait is gorgeous (such a warm smile you have!) and I especially LOVE the cobble stone street and umbrella shots (although they are all amazing...).

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  2. Oh my Kathy, what an awesome blog! Just simply love your choice of photos, your commentary, everything. Fabulous!

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  3. Kathy, I enjoyed reading your post...what a fresh spin on seeing the world and fully appreciating the patterns, textures, and shapes there are around us that visually inspire us without the color factor. Nice images...very sweet selfie...Off-Kilter, indeed...keep smiling!

    Sue from New Bern

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  4. Oh wow...you truly are a master at this. I can see that this is your area of expertise - spectacular photos! So striking and sharp, yet so beautiful and powerful to look at. It doesn't come as easily to me, but I sure do love the effects when I find the "right one" to convert. The self-portrait of you is gorgeous. :)

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  5. Isn't it amazing what taking the color out can do...suddenly everything is different. I think I'm somewhere in the middle of color and black and white....Your selfie, as always is brilliant (I think I need some tips) and I love the peacock and THOSE umbrellas....sigh!!

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  6. WOW. These are really great photos. I don't know which is more beautifull, you or the peacook. (just kidding, you of course.)

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  7. Still experimenting with the no color...yours are absolutely breath-taking. That peacock is stunning as is your selfie...love them all!!

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  8. I love all of the black and white photos, very creative. I find that life is not always black and white, but has a lot a gray areas. But black and white make gray and beautiful pictures!

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  9. These are so wonderful, Kathy! LOVE that selfie.

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  10. Oh my, I ADORE these! What a good argument for black and white! Such detail and gorgeous lighting in all. Had to laugh at your closing...

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  11. Oh, Kathy! These are all just marvelous!! I can't decide if I love the peacock or the fork best! Or all of them! I haven't shot in B&W in forever and this makes me want to go out on this glorious day and do so!

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  12. Great collection of shots and I LOVED hearing your thoughts on the black and white "whys" etc. I'll have to come back and 'restudy' this one! I did find a shot that, when I changed it to b/w I observed what you said about reflections...so I played with a couple of others too (water reflections). Anyhow - love this!

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  13. I totally agree, you are so right. Many times converting to B&W can enhance the photo in a way the color doesn't. I love all of your shots.....
    gorgeous.

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  14. Your shots look amazing.. I just love that selfie shot.. I played with black and white shots all morning.. Like you said it's amazing what you notice about a photo..

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  15. These are amazing!! You are SO talented!

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  16. Great self portret. I like your happyness and the way the picture was taken. Also the ceiling with the umbrellas is nice. Make me think of the Wynn in Las Vegas, they have a room like that.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  17. Once again, you have some amazing work. I am a black and white girl, as you know, but have been trying shades of green this winter. Summers coming and I'm heading back to basics, although the experiment was fun.
    Love it, Kathy.
    Susan

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  18. Once again, you have some amazing work. I am a black and white girl, as you know, but have been trying shades of green this winter. Summers coming and I'm heading back to basics, although the experiment was fun.
    Love it, Kathy.
    Susan

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  19. Dang girl....you are on fire with these shots...and YOU are cute as a button! really fantastic B&W photos. Love the conversions...you really out did yourself here.

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  20. You are so right...you can see so much more in a B&W image.
    These images are just superb.

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  21. So true, sometimes a decent color photo looks fabulous in B&W! It brings out things you did not see before. I am in love with your peacock picture! That is gorgeous! A framer FOR SURE! :)

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  22. Point taken. You had me at the peacock! I am a true lover of color, but I will TRY to wrap my brain around B/W in the near future...stretch and grow, right?

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  23. I love this post. Agree with you so much about seeing the textures and so much more when the color is stripped away. I love the peacock!!!

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  24. I am totally inspired to turn-off the color (ironic during color week at BL)! I struggle with my own B&W; I seem to miss the pop and they fall flat. But your's . . . Wow!

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  25. p.s. hahaha, Love the shoe sitting on the desk =)

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