Good use of color is difficult. People have long been told that B&W is more emotional but I think it is quite the opposite. Shooting black and white teaches you to see light and texture, but I think good use of color is much more meaningful.
Speaking from a city where the old town's web of cobblestone streets is a major tourist attraction, I never change the reddish hue in my snaps. B&W comes in lots of versions, depending on the channel preference or sensitivity.
Very nice surprise to see Canterbury in this video. It's where I grew up and my parents still live there. Lovely to see it through your photographs looking as pretty as ever whilst I'm living overseas thousands of miles away.
I always shoot in RAW colour but when editing I always do a black and white conversion to see which works better. Great video Joe with some great advice as always. Keep up the good work
Appreciate your perspective. In my workflow I typically organize my photos into these two categories - color and B&W - based on similar criteria. Depending on the shoot I sometimes create a third category for those images that would seem to tell a better story given a sepia treatment. I've used this to great effect when shooting abandoned buildings.
I like to shoot in Raw and JPEG with the JPEG being Black and White. When I'm shooting I view the image and "think" Black and White, but I have the color (RAW) image to fall back on. When I edit the images I can use the B&W JPEG as shot or I can convert the RAW image to B&W if the image needs a little more help. I agree that some images look great in B&W, others in color. :)
That's a really interesting way of editing. I like how you're using the JPEG, potentially as a reference and as an insurance, if you need to improve the black-and-white treatment, if the JPEG doesn't work. Thanks for sharing that.
Very good video. I find it surprising that within the Street/Documentary community there is still a bias towards B&W. Despite Joel Meyerowitz, Harry Gruyaert, Martin Parr, Paul Graham etc there is still the idea that B&W is somehow more 'arty' than colour. I agree with you that whether you use colour or B&W depends on what story you are trying to tell and what suits a particular scene. The danger some people fall into is thinking that B&W can transform a poor photograph into something of artistic merit by some intrinsic or historical magic. I understand people who only shoot in B&W and those who shoot only in colour and it does influence how and what you shoot. Both are equally valid and personally I do both. Coming from a painting background I have a bias towards colour I suppose in that my default is looking for colour unless the scene and conditions push strongly towards B&W
Thank you for this great comment and feedback. I think there is a tendency for black and white photography to have a more ‘serious’ appearance, if you get what I mean. Personally, I think I can say more with colour than B&W, but that doesn’t mean I can’t say what I want without colour. Much appreciated.
That’s such an interesting point! Photography really does blur the line between realism and artistry, doesn’t it? While our eyes don’t naturally see bokeh or in black-and-white, these elements add emotion and focus to a scene, creating something beyond what we perceive in real life. It’s amazing how photography lets us see the world differently.
Good use of color is difficult. People have long been told that B&W is more emotional but I think it is quite the opposite.
Shooting black and white teaches you to see light and texture, but I think good use of color is much more meaningful.
Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. I agree. Colour does speak volumes, including atmosphere, depth and detail.
Very good points about how to decide is it black & white or color. Some nice photos as examples.
Thank you very much Peter. Much appreciated.
Speaking from a city where the old town's web of cobblestone streets is a major tourist attraction, I never change the reddish hue in my snaps. B&W comes in lots of versions, depending on the channel preference or sensitivity.
Very nice surprise to see Canterbury in this video. It's where I grew up and my parents still live there. Lovely to see it through your photographs looking as pretty as ever whilst I'm living overseas thousands of miles away.
Thank you so much. It’s a such a beautiful city and not too far from where I live. I appreciate that comment 👍
I always shoot in RAW colour but when editing I always do a black and white conversion to see which works better. Great video Joe with some great advice as always. Keep up the good work
Thank you so much for letting me know your process, man. That sounds like a really good idea for me. Plus, I appreciate the positive feedback.
@@joeredskiYou're welcome 😊
Appreciate your perspective. In my workflow I typically organize my photos into these two categories - color and B&W - based on similar criteria. Depending on the shoot I sometimes create a third category for those images that would seem to tell a better story given a sepia treatment. I've used this to great effect when shooting abandoned buildings.
That sounds like a very organised approach and a great way of knowing which style works best for your photos. Thanks for sharing this Johnny.
I personally only photograph in black and white. and I love it.
I appreciate the comment. That’s good to know that black and white has some hardcore fans.
Colour!!!
I like to shoot in Raw and JPEG with the JPEG being Black and White. When I'm shooting I view the image and "think" Black and White, but I have the color (RAW) image to fall back on. When I edit the images I can use the B&W JPEG as shot or I can convert the RAW image to B&W if the image needs a little more help. I agree that some images look great in B&W, others in color. :)
That's a really interesting way of editing. I like how you're using the JPEG, potentially as a reference and as an insurance, if you need to improve the black-and-white treatment, if the JPEG doesn't work. Thanks for sharing that.
Very good video. I find it surprising that within the Street/Documentary community there is still a bias towards B&W. Despite Joel Meyerowitz, Harry Gruyaert, Martin Parr, Paul Graham etc there is still the idea that B&W is somehow more 'arty' than colour. I agree with you that whether you use colour or B&W depends on what story you are trying to tell and what suits a particular scene. The danger some people fall into is thinking that B&W can transform a poor photograph into something of artistic merit by some intrinsic or historical magic. I understand people who only shoot in B&W and those who shoot only in colour and it does influence how and what you shoot. Both are equally valid and personally I do both. Coming from a painting background I have a bias towards colour I suppose in that my default is looking for colour unless the scene and conditions push strongly towards B&W
Thank you for this great comment and feedback. I think there is a tendency for black and white photography to have a more ‘serious’ appearance, if you get what I mean. Personally, I think I can say more with colour than B&W, but that doesn’t mean I can’t say what I want without colour. Much appreciated.
Amazing how people demand ultra realism and also love concepts like bokey circles and B&W. My eyes don’t see either.
That’s such an interesting point! Photography really does blur the line between realism and artistry, doesn’t it? While our eyes don’t naturally see bokeh or in black-and-white, these elements add emotion and focus to a scene, creating something beyond what we perceive in real life. It’s amazing how photography lets us see the world differently.