Many “old” subjects translate well in monochrome. For example, we could certainly take a photo of a historic steam train in color and while that might make a compelling shot, making it monochrome and perhaps even giving it a sepia tone would help communicate to the viewer that this is an old subject and even perhaps that the photo was taken in the past. Photo by Rick Ohnsmanīecause we know that monochrome images were what was made in the past, most people equate monochrome with concepts of history, nostalgia, retro or “oldness” of subjects. Historic, retro, nostalgic qualities To make this shot of a historic plane and hanger look like it was taken during that period, monochrome with a sepia tone was the answer. To make it look like a period image, monochrome with a sepia tone was a must! 6. A fun shot with my photo buddies when we made a trip to the historic Bodie, California ghost town. The play of light and tone in a monochrome image is often an excellent way to communicate the texture of a subject. This could be with subjects with rough textures, such as old weathered wood, or very smooth and almost non-textured features. Without the addition of color, a photographer will sometimes find a monochrome an excellent way to emphasize the texture of an object. Emphasizing texture Roots extend through the cracks in the rock. Yes, one property of light is color and it’s important photographers understand that as well, but removing that attribute can often help you better see the interaction of light on your subject. Working in monochrome, you will find it probably is easier to “see the light,” to see properties such as highlights, shadows, intensity, direction, degree of hardness or softness, how it falls off over distance, reflections, refractions, diffusion, and so forth. The light, shadows, and starburst effects of specular highlights work together in this monochrome shot. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.” Seek the light. George Eastman, (the Kodak guy) put it well – A pattern of light and shadow falling on aluminum bleachers creates this monochrome abstract. You may also find that a strongly composed image is better rendered without the color so that the compositional elements stand out more strongly without the distraction of color. With fewer distractions, it can be easier to see where the concepts of subject placement, balance, positive and negative space, leading lines, curves, perspective, and other compositional concepts work. Photo by Rick OhnsmanĪ good way to help determine whether a photo is well-composed is to temporarily reduce it to a monochrome, even when your final intent for the image may be color. Composition A simple composition with lines, curves, tone and texture benefits from the use of monochrome. Minimalistic images and often abstracts are often well represented in monochrome. SimplificationĪn extension of the idea concept above, monochrome lends itself well to photos where the maker wants to greatly simplify the subject. Photo by Rick Ohnsman A simple subject, rather abstract, well served by a monochrome treatment. Reduced to minimal shapes and tones, this image of sand through an hourglass still communicates the photographer's vision. Sometimes architectural photography can make good use of this concept where the message of the photo is all about shapes and lines. This gives much greater emphasis to the essential ingredients of an image, taking away distractions and helping keep the viewer's attention on what the photographer wants to communicate with the image. Without the color in a photograph, we are left with images represented by their shape, form, and tone. Photo by Rick Ohnsman 1 – Shape, Form, and Tone Simulating a red filter turns the blue sky very dark. This shot is about the shapes, tones, and textures. Instead, I’d like to talk about why you might want to make a monochrome image instead of a color one. The point of this article is not to discuss techniques for doing those things, there are already many good articles discussing tools and techniques for that. To make a monochrome photo we either have to use special camera settings or convert an already captured color image into monochrome with editing tools. Our modern digital cameras are invariably set up to make color photos. So why would you make a “black and white” photo when the world is in color and color photography is so easy? Here are a dozen reasons you may want to Make it Monochrome. ![]() Today, the general public expects photos to be in color and monochrome is seen as the infrequent option. ![]() Photo by Rick Ohnsman The earliest photographers made monochrome images. Monochrome is a great choice to emphasize the play of light, shadow, shape, tone, and texture. The Bruneau Sand Dunes in Idaho are the tallest freestanding dunes in North America, the tallest standing at 470 feet.
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