Most people tend to think of monochrome photography as black and white. However, there are several other types of monochromatic images. For example, sepia, infrared, and selenium tones can also produce monochromatic photos. I also want to add the monochrome we see in nature, even when we photograph in color. In that sense, a monochrome photo is an image that exhibits variations of a single color. The image featured above is a color image of frozen branches in the middle of winter. The gray light surrounding the tree and cloudy skies created a natural monochrome image. Here are five other examples found in nature.
Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis), the official state flower of Texas, is a good starting point. Although other colors are present in the image, the various shades of blue dominate the color palette in this field.
A macro photo of the center of a Blue Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is another good example. Even the soft background in this macro has shades of greenish-blue. There are other examples of monochrome colors in nature.
Although I focused on the center of a Leavenworth’s Eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii), this entire flower is rich in purple colors. Before they turn purple, though, these flowers are light green. They show monochrome colors twice as they bloom.
When the Twisted-leaf Yucca (Yucca rupicola) plant is in full bloom, it shows clusters of white flowers that look like pendants or bells.
As one of the first signs of spring in Texas, the Redbud (Cercis canadensis) tree is a beauty in full display. The tree hardly displays any leaves, and all you can see are these clusters of pink flowers, often with lots of pollinators around.
These are simply some of the most common monochromatic flowers we see in the Austin area around spring. That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, Blue Plumbago, Bluebonnets, Leavenworth’s Eryngo, Macros, Monochrome, Monochrome Madness, Redbud tree, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #39 – Monochrome in Colour hosted by Margaret of From Pyrenees to Pennines.
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Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
So many colors in this post, and they work beautifully as Monochrome images
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva. I continue to be amazed at unexpected monochromes.
SoyBend
Nice photo of the field of bluebonnets, Egidio. They are such a pretty flower.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks. When there are fields of bluebonnets, the view is fascinating.
PR
Gorgeous!
Egidio Leitao
Much gratitude!
Amy
Incredibly beautiful mono magic!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Amy.
Pepper
All beautiful, especially the bluebonnets. 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Pepper. Maybe that made you a bit homesick. 🙂
Hammad Rais
Those blue bonnets are so mesmerizing
Egidio Leitao
That they are, Hammad. It’s wonderful to see large fields and road shoulders covered with them each spring. Thanks for writing.
Rebecca Cuningham
Great monochrome photos!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rebecca.
philosophy through photography
Nature’s paintbrush sure loves a theme—what a beautiful reminder that even a single color can tell a whole story. 🎨🍃
Beautiful, clicks, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly for your complimentary words.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
Toonsarah
Gorgeous flowers for Margaret’s challenge! I especially love the field of bluebonnets and the redbud 🙂 As for the first photo, I was sure it was an actual black and white image till I looked a bit mor closely!
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, thank you very much. As you point out, on the featured image, if you one looks more closely, they can see a little bit of the green moss on the branches. Good point you brought up. Thanks again.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, thanks for making me smile with your beautiful flowers this morning! I really like how each one is monochromatic.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, we need more smiles any chance we can get them. Glad I could help. Thanks for the compliment.
Rupali
Amazing images.
I was always curious about correct definition of monochromatic. Sometime we see different shades on green as well in natural settings.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Rupali. I think we tend to get stuck with black and white for monochromes, but we can have color monochrome palettes, as in those images.
restlessjo
The bluebonnets are a great example, but your shots are all very lovely, Egidio. I’m quite fond of sepia but seldom use it xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Jo. Like you, I seldom use sepia tones.
margaret21
These images are astonishing, and so very beautiful. I’m so glad you joined in Egidio. Thanks.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment and great challenge, Margaret.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
È vero, monocromatico non è solo nero…anche rosa, azzurro…
Ben fatto, Egidio. Grazie per gli esempi.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie mille, Luisella.
sandyjwhite
Excellent!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you.
Leanne Cole
These look beautiful Egidio. Love that last one.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. The Redbud tree is quite amazing when it is covered in pink.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful floral monochromes Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne.
bushboy
These are lovely Egidio
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brian.
Vicki
Lovely series, but the bluebonnets really stand out as a monochromatic image to me.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, thank you, first of all. About the bluebonnets, imagine a huge field covered with those… When we get a good spring season, bluebonnets are everywhere.
Writing to Freedom
These are gorgeous images and flowers!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brad. I guess one can’t go wrong with flower macros.
Writing to Freedom
Agreed, flower macros are my favorites.
Egidio Leitao
Mine, too. Thanks,
Writing to Freedom
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