This is a section of the gnarled roots of a very large native pecan tree in the Tulsa Garden Center Arboretum.
I like the look of it rendered in black and white. When I started taking photography seriously in 1965 I shot everything in black and white. I had a Pentax Spotmatic with an F-1.4 lens and I used tri-X mostly to allow decent available light photos. Since migrating to the digital age everything is shot in color and what used to take hours in a dark room now takes minutes on the computer.
Recently some of the blogs I admire have encouraged me to go back to rendering photos in black and white. Converting the digital color image to monochrome is a little more than a one click process. Getting the balance and contrast just right requires some doing.
You might ask why one would want to convert a color photograph to sepia or black and white. Consider the magnificent photographs of Ansel Adams and ask if they would be as powerful in color. A monochrome photograph lets us see textures in a way that color does not, and gives emphasis to the larger composition without the distraction of blocks of color. In the end it is probably a matter of personal taste and I admire a well rendered monochrome photograph.
Inspiring “Transatlantic Aesthetic” at the Art Museum
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This fascinating journey mixed three of my favourite things—travel, boats,
and colours.
The post Inspiring “Transatlantic Aesthetic” at the Art Museum fir...
9 hours ago
13 comments:
Good shot! When I first saw this photo I thought of one I took which looks very similar, but is of river washed rock. Think I'll go back to look again...
I think you're right about b&w emphasizing textures. I have always preferred color, but since I've been blogging I have learned to "see" monochrome better than I did before. It does have advantages.
Oh...so good in black and white. There is so much detail and contrast...creative choice!
It's almost spooky - a place where trolls and hobgoblins might lurk!
A lovely picture to try to create in pencil or charcoal.
I agree with everything you say - it could almost be my story. And you have proved your point with these gnarled roots.
Black and white is a good effect in many photos, and I just love the texture of these roots. I often admire some in nature but it is not so easy to get a good photograph of what our very advanced eyes easily pick up. Nice one!
I like how black and white brings out the "character" of a photograph. You do a really good job with it and this photo is a great example.
Welcome!
I agree with everything you say about black and white photography - in particular the need to get the balance and contrast right. I love all the texture you have here.
Could I ask you a favour please? I'd be very grateful if in future you could link direct to your B&W post each week, rather than just your blog address. It makes it so much easier for me and saves a lot of time. Thank you :)
I really was thinking if a photo like this would look great in b/w...now it gives me the answer. Thanks, it looks just perfect.
Lovely; the textures are wonderful
This picture is definitely a proof of how the textures are showing very distinctly in B&W. I love it!
It is very interesting!
Black and white is where its at! I love what you wrote about black and white. I have found a company that can take a digital file and make a REAL gelatin silver print from a digital file, no negative needed. (This is not an inkjet but a true black and white photographic print). Check it out and keep shooting B&W!!!!
http://www.digitalsilverimaging.com/
really great textures here, love it!
by the way, thanks for the comments on my blog - much appreciated!
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