Sunday, February 8, 2009

Form vs. Color


I recently gave myself an assignment. It was to take some outdoor photos in black and white only. It was a good lesson, because it forced me to view things differently. Color is usually the first thing to grab the attention, so its absence causes one to look more deeply at scenes and objects....to see and realize the beauty of form, in the absence of color. Below are some images from my self challenge....





A Locust tree in our neighborhood.






The swollen buds of Forsythia.





The skeletal remains of Queen Anne's Lace.






Sun setting behind the mountain.
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"There's something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery."

Stefan Kanfer



17 comments:

Chris said...

Very nice! Being in black in white makes them dramatic and brings a different feeling than color would.

Gardeness said...

I love black and white for the dramatic contrast. Yet it has a subduing quality to can also soften an image and make it more inviting. These are wonderful photos.

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

That is a good question, I love your monochromes./ Tyra

Jan said...

I love the quote you added at the end. Black and white can be striking and does create a different emotional response than does color. That forsythia bud is awesome. Now, if I had to look at black and white all the time, I'd be depressed all winter long! Back when I was very young that's all there was!!!

Curmudgeon said...

The locust tree is stunning! What a fun challenge you gave yourself.
--Curmudgeon

Miranda Bell said...

Connie I love the photos - black and white is great - infact I did a posting on cows in Black and white and they came out quite well - they add something of atmostphere which you lose in colour - everything has it's place though... we're in the middle of a horrible storm right now - do hope the weather with you is a little better :-) Miranda

Catherine said...

So, do you take black and white with your digital? I wonder if I have that feature. The Forsythia is my favorite, so simple, so shockinly still, yet in motion. You did really well, especially for a cold, snowy February day!

Connie said...

Cat - Yes, I have a B&W feature on my digital camera. We only got a tiny skiff of snow,thankfully...and only on the mountain tops.

Catherine said...

Okay, I'm gettin' out my camera's instruction book to look for this feature.

I must tell you that as the snow melts there is a heart shape of clear roof on the establishment next door. Look for it in my next post. It IS February, after all.

ChrisJ said...

Beautiful black and white shots. Color moves mein just about everything I see, but black and whites are refreshing. I love forsythia too!

Unknown said...

I love black and white photography, and these are extraordinary. You've inspired me to go out and have a go at it myself when we finally have some milder weather. Whenever that might be....

Kathi said...

Beautiful! Especially the locust tree.

Kathi said...

Beautiful! Especially the locust tree.

Rhonda said...

I haven't visited in awhile and I had to go back and get caught up. I love the black and white photography concept. I think I may even "borrow" this idea. It would be a wonderful way to see what your garden will look like in winter and allow you to design a more winter friendly garden. You captured some wonderful things with this. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful black and white pictures. I too love the Locust tree - very dramatic. I have a collection of a couple hundred old black and white movies and although I like colored ones too I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Melissa said...

I really like the symmetry of the forsythia...

Catherine said...

Love the Quote...your B/W images are powerful indeed, & breathtaking!! It is a good lesson,I sometimes think you see more when color is absent!
Love them!
Cat