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