B&W making a comeback

JJsPix did you not see the ;) 

indemnity said

JJsPix did you not see the ;) 

I did. :)

JPea said

JJsPix said

Sorry, I personally think it's a travesty.

I agree with indemnity in fact, I'd go further and say these days there is no such thing as a good black and white image (and notice I don't use the term monochrome).

It seems wrong on so many levels.

And as for the various developments going on in photography, what of them?

The FPI share of such images has always been out of proportion in favour of B/W images.

I genuinely can't understand the fascination (except in an historic value) for B/W images.

Far from improving the creative process, it squashes it into oblivion.

Obviously, we all have our own personal likes and dislikes so I would be interested in why there is no such thing as a good black and white image these days?

I am making no claims for myself on this. Just curious.

It's just plain out of context with life. It may have been fine when all that could be captured were very primitive (although beautifully conceived) images.

To draw an analogy; it's a bit like flying round the world in a bi plane. But why? For curiosity sake? There are so many better and proven ways of doing it.

And basically, B/W images are the same; yes, you can do it, but why? What does it add to the general realm of photography?

Plus, as indemnity says; it can be used to make a hopeless image seem niche and arty. But those of you that like to do it, great. Carry on.

But I'll continue to view it as nothing more than a fad that is supported by some very dodgy hype.

indemnity said

JJsPix did you not see the ;) 

Yes I did.

That's the problem with modern communications; so many things can mean so many things.

Well, if I misinterpreted your meaning, then apologies. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

It still doesn't alter my view of B/W images though. But having said that, I do still enjoy looking at my grandparents' wedding albums.

I only have 3 FPIs but they're all monochrome.

I should have just got a monochrome digital camera...

JJsPix

I suppose it all depends on what you think you are doing in your photography.

Personally, I am not recording life or people.

I am trying to make images that are an end in themselves.

I find that pencil and ink drawings can do similar things as can engravings and etchings.

It is perfectly valid to use colour for the same end.

It is just a different way of thinking about it.

JJsPix I was just having a naughty moment. I have no preference really for colour or monochrome though sometimes an image or idea suits that mode of lighting and capture/conversion in post processing. I usually light for monochrome, though sometimes will convert just to see how it may look. There are however many who when capturing an image cock it all up and the only way of getting a finished product is by attempting to hide all that by monochrome (b&w) conversion.

I was chuckling to myself when a friend showed me their wedding album that cost thousands. There were some good colour images, then she said the photographer did some 'reportage monochrome' images that she loved. I did not voice the reason for this description but is was patently clear he'd had harsh overhead sunlight, got the exposure completely wrong, over exposed and salvaged the images by converting to monochrome, giving the bullshit crap about the style....funny old world. There are loads of under exposed images given the mono conversion, these are described as 'moody arty'...more bull. My 2p.