[Theme] b&w's

[golunvolo]

What a wonderful collection - thanks everyone.

Given we once only had the choice of b&w, I guess any subject is valid for this approach.
However looking at the last few pages worth, a few images stand out to me as really standing out in monochrome.

Others, maybe less so.

What do other people think?
Or do you think it is more down to personal preferences?

  I´ll think totally byas, cultural and personal preference are the reason we see some more suited for bw. Shows wise, I have been shooting, form the very beginning, rehearsals in bw and finished shows with costumes and lighting in color. Rest of the time the reason, or lack of it, seams to very much depend on personal criteria -or mistakes  -

[Ian Watson]

I think that some photographs depend on colour for their impact. These do not suit b&w. Conversely, sometimes colour gets in the way of the lines, forms, contrast and detail. B&W removes the distraction.

An excellent example of the latter is Paco's contribution to this thread, reply 1195. The drama of the moment stands out more in b&w.

The rest of the time it is cultural and personal preference.

[ColinM]

I think that some photographs depend on colour for their impact. These do not suit b&w. Conversely, sometimes colour gets in the way of the lines, forms, contrast and detail. B&W removes the distraction.

An excellent example of the latter is Paco's contribution to this thread, reply 1195. The drama of the moment stands out more in b&w.

The rest of the time it is cultural and personal preference.

Thank you Paco & Ian for your thoughts.

I'll get off the fence and stop trying to be diplomatic
Firstly, please note I viewed all these images on my 12" Samsung tablet. I'm sure different things would have come out on a big HD studio monitor.
But the subject is B&W images here and many great photos were often seen at quite small sizes in newspapers

I can't see the message #'s when viewing on my tablet but is 1195 this one?
Strong emotionally charged moment in the rehearsal.  ?

For me, emotionally, yes.
Visual & photographic impact,  not as high as John's one
Piano in the Railwaystation

Also, Armando's one
Barman
Initially felt very subtle. On a small screen, it didn't grab me but as a 30x18 print, maybe my eye would wander all over it, finding subtle details.

The one i really struggled with was Fons'
blinds
But maybe if it was in my office, I'd find it a soothing & meditative piece that helped me to become more centred?
Does being in B&W help this image? For me, it reduces its impact and by my preference for the Piano in the railway station, you'll see it was the contrast and deep backs that appealed to me.

But this has now come down to consideration of personal preferences and bias, so I'll stop

[Ian Watson]

Firstly, please note I viewed all these images on my 12" Samsung tablet. I'm sure different things would have come out on a big HD studio monitor.
But the subject is B&W images here and many great photos were often seen at quite small sizes in newspapers

...by my preference for the Piano in the railway station, you'll see it was the contrast and deep backs that appealed to me.

I don't think that we can take the size of the image out of consideration. The smaller they are the more punch they seem to need since finer detail and tonal differences are less visible.

For example, consider Ansel Adams' Rose and Driftwood. A small image on the internet is unremarkable whereas a large print by the master himself is quite another matter!

[Ian Watson]

Since I am photographing and processing my old negatives, here is a scene from downtown Chicago in 2008.