Skip to main content

Shooting the world in Mono

I have always been partial to monochrome images. Also commonly known as Black and Whites or greyscale .This, despite the fact that color images has been around us for quite a while. But please don’t misunderstand me. I like color. They are vibrant and alive. We live in a world of color. Plus the fact that our brains had been wired to see in colors. It is nature’s way of helping our brain distinguish images.

So, why do I love shooting in black and whites ? Well, for one thing, mono images has the inherent ability to convey raw emotions and feelings where color cannot. Looking at black and whites and it’s variants ( such as sepia) always makes me feel sentimental, for example.

Black and white images are preferred by some because of their timeless classic elegance and appeal.. They have the feel of history and antiquity.

When we look at a black and white image, we are looking beyond color. Because our brain expect us to see in color, the brain is jolted and is forced to see and analyze that image. The brain is actually trying to make sense of it all. Hence, we are seeing the image in a different light, in a different understanding. You see, color is the external shell, monochrome is the soul.
Labels:

Comments

  1. WilliamNovember 15, 2010 at 7:44 AM

    I love the look of a BW photo... yes, as you said... "timeless classic" but remember, not all subjects look good in BW we afterall still lives in a world of color

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LOWEPRO Fastpack BP 150 AW II : A Brief Review

Lowepro Fastpack BP 150 AWII I recently bought a new camera back pack to replace my aging Lowepro 250 AW DSLR Video Fastpack which I have been using for the last 4 years or so,  with the LOWEPRO Fastpack BP 150 AWII . I believe this is the new upgraded version as designated by the AWII. But to be honest, I should have bought the Fastpack BP 250 instead of this model which is the Fastpack BP 150. This model comes in 3 sizes namely BP 150 , BP 250, and the BP 350 . As the numbers suggest, the BP 150 is the smallest. With my impending trip to LA, I wanted a compact backpack to hold all my camera gears and some personal stuff as a carry on baggage. I have a small body frame so I chose BP 150. This backpack can hold my Nikon D500 with a moderate 18-140mm all around zoom lens attached. If your camera has a battery grip attached to the body, this bag can accommodate it with ease.  A second backup body ( my old D90) , a 35mm 1.8 prime lens, chargers, assorted cables etc. Now...
Post a Comment
Read more

EDSA : The Day After

Leaderless Philippine Marines inside the Palace the day after Marcos fled I recently found an old picture which was taken  way back in 1986 among the old file of debris accumulated through the years. This photo was taken early in the morning inside the Malacanang Palace. I was one among the thousands of Filipinos who “stormed” the Palace grounds upon learning that the once feared dictator President Marcos has fled after a relatively bloodless revolution  which was known and imitated throughout the world as the People Power. Armed with my Nikon FG, I strolled inside the Palace grounds and saw a group of leaderless Philippine Marines nervously standing in formation, apparently confused and disoriented as people flocked around them. Their officers were nowhere to be found and it was obvious that all officers had abandoned them. I was amazed as to the near chaos inside the Palace grounds that morning, yet, not a single shot was fired as the crowds inched their way inside th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Having Fun With Selective Color !

A Philippine Navy sailor carries his tuba Playing around with selective coloring can be fun and addicting. This photographic technique may be used for fun and to emphasize the subject. I realize most pro photographers tend to shy away and sometimes can be  so incredibly  snobbish about selective color for some reasons. But hey, almost everybody loves selective color!  There really is no magic or mystery behind this technique. Want to try it? Go ahead and have some fun ! I’ll write some step by step tutorial on selective color next time, as soon as I figure out how to capture my screen for the illustration… In the meantime , you may want to check PhotoShop’s step by step tutorial on this technique, though the degree of difficulty may be in between moderate to hard.  I have PhotoShop, but I use Photo Pos Pro for it’s simple way of achieving selective color. And it’s free.
1 comment
Read more