Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/12/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I'm sorry that I don't have the actual quote, but in The Mind's Eye (an Aperture book of writings on photography by HCB) he makes a comment about color photography and why it generally doesn't "work." There are too many factors, and you can't control color like you can in painting and other art. I wish I had the exact quote! If anyone wants it, I'll post it tomorrow! :) But it made sense to me when I read it. B/W doesn't have that extra complication which can detract from the image's geometry. Randy - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Douglas Herr Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 9:54 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] b/w and color On Mon, 16 Dec 2002 10:49:56 -0600 "Wesson, Leo W" <LWWesson@pier1.com> wrote: > I am curious what all goes into your decision > to shoot black and white or color. I have > noticed that some of the group works only in > b/w, some only in color and some in both. > > What is your thought process in this decision? It depends on what I see. I had used color exclusively for several years because my fav subjects (wildlife, especially birds) are colorful. Recently I realized that in many if not most color photos, the color doesn't contribute to the image - it's just whatever happened to be there and the photographer was too lazy or inattentive to remove it. IMHO if an element of the photo doesn't contribute to the emotional impact of the picture it shouldn't be there. Now when I see something I want to photograph, I try (not always sucessfully) to ask myself what appeals to me, and whether the color of the scene adds to its appeal or not. I now carry a body loaded with B&W film as well as one with color film. Doug Herr<BR>Birdman of Sacramento<BR>http://www.wildlightphoto.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html