Patti from P.A. Moed has set the challenge for us this week and is our host. Quite an interesting idea to see the difference between colour and black and white.
This is what she said:-
This brought to mind a question: When is it best to use one vs the other? What’s the benefit of each one? This topic is our focus for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge #335.
It is a very interesting idea. I have never been one to only use colour or only do black and white. I don’t even know if I have a preference, though I probably do use colour more. Perhaps I am attracted to images that are better in colour, I don’t really know.
I did realise a few years ago that I wasn’t really doing any black and white or monochrome and that was the main reason behind monochrome madness. Now once a week I have to find images that will work in black and white. That isn’t always easy, but I have learned a lot from doing it. So much so that I have even been considering doing a lot more.
So since I do lots of more black and white now it was sort of easy to find images that I have done in both. I don’t know which is better. Some I think work better in colour and others not. I think it kind of depends on what you are trying to show. B&W is great for showing raw emotions, patterns or textures. There is a rawness to it. Whereas colour is great for showing the world as we see it. Though I do think sometimes we miss stuff because we can get distracted by the colour.
I am not going to tell you which version I prefer in the following images. I think you should make up your own mind. So click on the first image and go through the gallery to see each one in both colour and black and white.
Thank you Patti for hosting us this week and giving us this challenge. I’ve enjoyed it a lot.
I would ask everyone to please click on the link at the start of the post and see what Patti has for us to see. Read the post too so you know what do to.
If you would like to participate in this great challenge then go to the following link to find out how to join the Lens-Artists Challenge, click here for more info. Don’t forget to put a link in your post back to the host.
I love the warmth of the colour … but there are some stunning b&w shots
Thank you Julie, it was an interesting challenge.
Gorgeous galleries – All of these work well in both – but I prefer the colour version in most of them. For me, the buildings do best in monochrome!
Thank you Ann-Christine. I think others have preferred them too. Interesting about the architecture.
I never see my comments. Do YOU see them?
Yeah, I see them, though you might not see them until I approve them. It helps me keep up and helps me get rid of the spam easier.
Well, at least I can comment on your blog. That’s special! I’ve been doing a bit more black & white, but because so much of what I do it either a flower or a bird, color usually is important if for not better reason than recognition. Two birds can look identical in b&w and VERY different in color.
Yeah you can, that is something. I love black and white, but don’t think it is the end up of everything. I know exactly what you mean, some things are just so much better in colour. Thank you Marilyn.
It is hard to choose which picture is better because they are both good in different ways. In some of them, I think the color makes them more dramatic – like the first and second pictures. There is not enough light for me to see the drama in the black and white. The buildings at the bottom of the page, though, have more light and they are more dramatic in black and white – to me.
I think this has been a great challenge, especially because it has shown how different we all are and in the end there is no right or wrong answer. We all like different things and different images. Thank you for looking Marsha.
People all have their likes and dislikes, then there are the universal images that everyone seems to adore. I think the church one with the streaming lights might be one of those, but I didn’t read all the comments!
They really do Marsha, it is funny how sometimes I love an image and then no one else does, you just never know.
How true. It’s good that people have different tastes!
It is. 😀
I like both versions in all except the cupcakes – which I like in color
I think we all agree about the cupcakes, lol. Thank you Nora.
They become two separate visual experiences, each with different feel and bringing different emotions. Simply, one image becomes two unique expressions.
I think the same Geoff, it can really change the image. Good way of putting it, thank you Geoff.
Interestingly in every photo which doesn’t show the sky I like the colour version more. I don’t know why
That is very interesting IJ, I wonder why, thank you.
I definitely prefer the cakes in colour, they look much more appetising! For the others I think all work in both formats, as your style of colour editing shares some qualities with B&W photography such as a strong emphasis on form and light.
I think most of us prefer the cakes in colour. lol. Thank you so much Sarah.
I like these images Leanne and I like all the conversions. I never ever consider BW conversations for my images, mainly for the reasons I outlined in my post for this challenge. Perhaps it’s time I did. Your blog got my thinking that maybe I need to take on a BW challenge to help me get better with this genre.
Thank you Steve, I started monochrome madness for the reasons you talk about. So I look forward to seeing you join in.
Such an interesting challenge! I think you’ve nailed it: which is “better” depends on what the photographer is trying to show. I also agree with your definition of the characteristics each does well. Viewing each photo both ways brings out different strengths each time — but then, you’ve selected photos that happen to have that range of strengths on offer. Anything that causes us to see with new, or fresh, eyes is to be celebrated. Thanks.
Thank you Penny. I agree about your interpretation of better. I have to admit I did look for images that I had already converted, and many of them I had already done the colour one as well. As you said each version does show something different.
Very beautiful photos, Leanne. You have a special skill in your editing workflow. It’s hard for me to pick one over the other in each pair.
Thank you Egidio, some might so I overdo a bit.
Of course, I love all your pictures in both color and B&W. But I do prefer the Exhibition building and church in monochrome.
Thank you Anne, interesting choices.
These are great Leanne
Thank you Brian.
I like all your shots, Leanne, but the church looks fabulous in both versions! With food, especially dessert, I am definitely siding with color 🙂.
Thank you PR, glad you like the church. Yeah, I agree about the food, I think it was good to see it in monochrome, but I much prefer the colour. 😀
I have always thought you have a good handle on which images are more successful in colour and which in monochrome but I also think that your artist’s eye is often drawn to shapes and forms and your handling of light is so effective that most of your images are successful in either format. I do have a preference in each of the pairings you present in this post but they all work really well in both formats.
Thank you Laura, I’m not so sure I do, but I like to try and see what I can get. You are probably spot on with the artists eye. I think that comes from the training I’ve had too. You are very kind Laura.
Interesting, Leanne. The architecture shots work beautifully in both, the sea ones I think are magical in colour, something is lost with the monochrome versions.
Thank you Sofia, it is interesting to hear what others think, you like the colour and other likes the monochrome, I guess it shows how different we all are.
Because dramatic shots seem to be in your DNA, these work equally well in colour and b/w I think. A great series!
Thank you Margaret, that is an interesting observation, and I guess not something I have thought about too much. Food for thought.
Hi Leanne. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the challenge! Your thoughts and photos are really intriguing. In every case, I really preferred the color version, mostly because the colors are wonderfully vivid and dramatic. You’re really a master of lighting and color!!
Thank you Patti, it is a good challenge, though I’m sorry I didn’t read the instructions properly. I should read thinks correctly. I have to admit I often just prefer colour too.
An amazing set of images Leanne. All are beautiful either way!
Thank you Tina, I should have read the instructions better though. Oh well.
This was interesting. I definitely like the food photo better in color. The last two photos of the water I prefer in B&W. I felt more the power of the water when I didn’t have the lovely blues and greens of the water as almost a distraction.
Yeah, I have to agree with both of your choices Lois, I think the same. I love waves in black and white. Thank you.