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.
Circular Quay, ferries
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This view of ferries moored at Circular Quay ferry wharves is from Circular
Quay railway station. In the distance, across Sydney Harbour are the Sydney
H...
55 minutes 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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