Lens-Artists Challenge #335:
Exploring Color vs Black & White
I do not know how many photographers face the dilemma of choosing color versus black and white. If one takes a poll, there will probably be reasons that support both choices. This week, Patti brings this issue to the forefront in the latest lens-artists challenge. She asks us “to explore the difference and the impact of using color or black & white photography.” Please visit her post to see the examples and questions she poses.
For me, sometimes the choice is very straightforward. For example, when dealing with an old photo with a low megapixel count, it is generally easier to get a decent black-and-white edit than using color. The pair below shows that the color version lacks the impact seen in the black-and-white edit. The lack of detail and texture in the first image pales compared to the textures and monochrome effect I applied in the second image. If I tried the same impact on the color version, the image would have a lot of artifacts because of the lack of pixels in that old file. The monochrome is my preferred edit in this pair.
Let’s look at a second pair. I’ll use another view at Big Bend National Park. When one arrives at the park and drives along the main park road, there is a point where a visitor can see the Chisos Mountains on the horizon. No matter how often I have been at the park, I have never been tired of seeing that view. The light is always different, and sometimes, the clouds add to the beauty of the view. To my eyes, the color image gives me a more complete view of the scene. I can appreciate the wide-open spaces, the clouds, and the color of the sky. The black-and-white edit, on the other hand, focuses on the cloud drama. I cannot surely pick one version over the other. It will depend on my mood and what I intend to showcase.
Finally, if you take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, you will pass this distinctive mountain formation at the end of the drive. It is a great place to stop and enjoy the view around the Castolon Historic District. Again, the monochrome edit adds more drama to the scene. In this case, my cool tones present an entirely different scene from the original color edit. It appears more like a morning scene when, in reality, it is late afternoon. The color version has warmth and glow. The focus is the mountain. The monochrome edit has the same focus, but the clouds are essential in emphasizing that. The foreground seems unimportant in the monochrome photo. Although I like both edits, I prefer the color image for the feeling it brings back when I was at the park and captured that photo.
So, do you have a favorite in each of the pairs? What strikes you more in each pair? Please leave your feedback in the comments below.
I am still enjoying the entries you created about cats and dogs. You shared beautiful photos and great stories. Tina’s post resonated very well with everyone. You had amazing photos.
This week, I am looking forward to seeing your photos and the reasons for choosing color or black and white. Patti’s post is thought-provoking and exciting. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Ann-Christine will return with another exciting challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Big Bend NP, Castolon, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Lost Mine Trail, Monochrome, and Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Tina Schell
Wonderful choices for the week Egidio. Interestingly although I will almost always choose a color image over B&W, in all of your examples I prefer the B&W! Your edits I think really showcase the drama of the scenes. All of the versions are beautiful but I’m voting monochrome on this one!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. I agree that those monochromes did highlight the drama. It’ll be a fun week to see what others will show and say. Thanks, again.
Anne Sandler
Wow Egidio, you make it difficult to choose! I liked all six! But we have to choose so here goes:
1. The Window. I prefer the black and white. It shows the craggy mountains and texture better and there’s enough contrast to carry it through. I wonder what the color would look like if you took it today.
Driving in the park. Again the monochrome wins. Black and white makes the ordinary, extraordinary. The contrast accents the road and clouds.
Castolon. Now I choose color. I like the complimentary colors and the depth they add to the image. The monochrome does well with the contrast, etc. It also gives a more foreboding feeling than the color. I just prefer the feeling and the story of the color.
Egidio Leitao
Anne, thanks so very much for taking the time to comment on each pair. I do have the Window view from the Lost Mine Trail from a more recent trip, probably within the last 5 years. I’ll have to look for it and create a post. Thanks for the suggestion. I agree with your other choices, too.
Leanne Cole
They each have there advantages and disadvantages I think. You almost feel like you get two different images. Great job.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. I think your assessment is right on! Yes, the images look different and give the viewer a different feeling.
Alison
The last pair for me Edigio, love the moodiness of the monochrome one.
That’s a great idea of editing old photos into black and white
I’ll have to look into that
Egidio Leitao
Ali, thanks for the feedback. One thing I enjoy with monochrome edits is that I can push more drama and details. If I do the same on the color version, the image becomes too saturated and unreal.
Alison
Ha!!yes I know exactly what you mean
Teresa
Hmmm this is a hard one to choose from. I usually lean on the coloured photos but in these ones they seem quite on equal ground. Great choices Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Teresa, like you, I tend to prefer color for landscape photos. Thanks for the feedback.
Toonsarah
Excellent choices to highlight the pros and cons of colour v B&W! I prefer the monochrome versions of the first and last but the colour version of the middle one 🙂 That one seems to lack some depth in monochrome whereas in the other two there is lots of drama that the edits emphasise.
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, thanks for these remarks. I see your point about lacking depth. I think I could re-edit that to create more depth by doing localized adjustments to lights and shadows. Thanks, again.
Toonsarah
Yes, I’m sure that would be effective 😀
Sofia Alves
Love them all, Egídio! But, colour wins both first and third but B&W for the second, always. You were very cleaver with the editing of that one, the clouds and the road markings are excellent.
Egidio Leitao
Those are interesting remarks, Sofia. Many thanks! One of the nicest things about monochromes is being able to push the limits on contrast and “color” saturation.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Fab photos, Egidio! The B&W in the top two sets really highlight the texture and definition of the subjects. I’m torn on the last set, rather liking the color version better. Wonderfully done for the challenge!
Egidio Leitao
Terri, thanks so much for your feedback. I appreciate you taking time to write.
JohnRH
Wow. Great images and advice Egidio. I will try that BnW on my low res pix. Very good tip. I like the color of the Chisos Mts. In BnW my eyes seem drawn straight to the clouds. However, in the Castolon shot the BnW has much sharper res and focus. Again, well done all.
Egidio Leitao
John, thank you very much. I have been pleasantly surprised at how much I can rescue using old images in monochromes. I can push more saturation and texture without showing problems with colors.
norasphotos4u
Beautiful scenes in these photos. I have to go monotone with all 3 I guess I like cloud drama 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Nora, it’s hard not to go with the monochromes. They add so much texture and drama. Thanks for writing.
Steve Hyde
Egidio, I think I prefer the BW conversions in all these images.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Steve.
Patti
Gorgeous photos, as always, Egidio! It’s interesting. I really prefer the b&w version in your first photo, but for all the others, I like both the color and b&w. You have a wonderful eye for nature/landscapes.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. I very much appreciate your compliment.
Patti
Did my comment go through? Not sure. Here it is again: Gorgeous photos, as always, Egidio! It’s interesting. I really prefer the b&w version in your first photo, but for all the others, I like both the color and b&w. You have a wonderful eye for nature/landscapes.
Egidio Leitao
As with before, your comments were in spam. It beats me why WP does that. I had no other spam comments so far. Thank you.
I. J. Khanewala
Your wonderful photos made me think a lot. A decent sky always looks amazing with a proper conversion to B&W. You show it twice over.
Egidio Leitao
I.J., your feedback is very meaningful to me. Thank you very much.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, these are fantastic. In the first pair I like the monochrome. It’s so much more dramatic. In the second pair I like the color and I like the monochrome in the last pair.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, many thanks for these comments. It’s funny how the choices vary from person to person.
Leya
Well, Egidio, gorgeous as usual – so difficult to choose because your edits are brilliant. Monochrome for all except the middle one – to my thinking. The glorious light and colours does it for me!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ann-Christine. I would agree with you about the second photo. That part of Big Bend is normally pretty dry (It’s the Chihuahuan desert). So, to see it in lush green colors is a treat.
Rebecca Cuningham
Black and white sure looks mystical!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rebecca. I agree with your assessment about black and white photos.