[Leica] Why we shoot in Colour

[firkin at ncable.net.au (Alastair Firkin)]

The majority of landscape work in Australia is done in colour. There 
are a few lesser known b/w users, but colour dominates, and I'm sure 
that is why digital is almost strangled the market here. I ordered some 
chemistry from one of the largest suppliers here, and 5 weeks later 
rang to ask about its progress: "it will be about another 5 or so 
weeks, its on a container from Europe". So I asked how many they had in 
this order (in case it was wise to buy up a bit more now) and was told; 
"two boxes -- your order, no more!! We have averaged a box per year for 
the last 5, and this order has caused a big blip on the screen ;-)" We 
are adopting the new like we took to TV!! So here are two images to try 
to explain this:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/album103/PAWextra038
http://gallery.leica-users.org/album103/PAWextra039

The sky is often blue and the "not a cloud in the sky" phenomenon is 
very common when you venture into the photogenic places here in 
Australia, so in B/W, the zone 4 expanses can be overwhelming. The rich 
colour of the outback with its deep red sand add to the natural drama 
of the image. With surf sun sand and sky, the landscape is dramatic in 
colour and its much harder to do it in b/w. When I travel, there is 
less visibility, often overcast days, rain and such. B/w has an 
advantage here, where colour looks dull. So because we wish to project 
ourselves as "young fresh bright and happy", we choose colour.

End of rant

Alastair