no color required

I admit I lean heavily toward color photography. There are those times where the absence of color just makes sense in processing, some photos almost seem to call out for it, but have you ever actually intentionally shot knowing you wanted a black and white image? I admit that is very rare for me and it truly makes my eye see differently than if i was just out shooting. It makes me work harder on compostion.  I notice the light differently and compose accordingly.  I find myself seeking out extreme areas of both darkness AND light. Stripping away all the happy shiny color leaves you with shadows, light, textures and emotion.

This week Erika Ray is hosting "A Week of No Color"  on Flickr.  I knew I wanted to join in, but then I personally decided that for this entire week I would shoot solely in black and white or dramatic sepia.  No color at all.  I knew it would challenge me,  but I also knew that this was just the sort of focus I needed right now. 

I have a few editing "go tos" when post processing an image over in Flickr's editing program, Picnik.  I wanted to share them here today for anyone who doesn't have editing software of their own OR just wants to try something for fun.  Of course Picnik has the standard black & white conversion button,  but if you venture off that page into "Advanced Tools", go to "Curves" and then open up the drop down menu where it says "Default".   There you will find "Dramatic Sepia"  and "Faded Daguerreotype" keys. The use of these buttons will easily transform your color image into something completely different in one click. The first, Dramatic Sepia, gives you a deep rich image full of darkness and drama just like its title says. The latter, Faded Daguerreotype, lightens and warms up the image almost whimsically, i especially love this one if you photo has a bit of grain or noise to it.  Go on over and play around,  Flickr editing is a user friendly and fun way to experiment, especially if you if you are new at processing your images. 

Today let's all strip away the colors,  what do you see?  Share a black and white or sepia image here with us, and remember to click on over to Flickr and join in Erika's group too! 

Comments

[Breanne]

I love black and white photos, maybe more than I love color. I think it would be a huge challenge for me to SHOOT in black and white though and see the image that way before I took it as opposed to processing it that way after I saw it.

From this weekend: http://flickr.com/gp/bleach226/C55i1B

[christine]

I recently tried for the first time a roll of Tri-X 400 Black and White film. I'm really pleased with the results:

http://just-travelin-through.blogspot.com/2011/01/gray-days.html

[Jennifée]

I did a month of black and white images last November; a very interesting challenge that had me focusing on stark lines, mysterious atmosphere and heavy contrasts between light and shade. I also sometimes shoot black and white film with my Diana+, which is great fun too (though sadly expensive and difficult to get processed now):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/4151870965/

[Marcie]

Not quite black and white..but more - winter 'monochrome'. Thought I'd share:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1429

[Trevellion]

I never seem to think in B&W when I'm out shooting so the decision always comes at the processing stage and usually I stick to colour.

This selfie seemed to be perfect for the B&W treatment though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9970083@N02/5229169400/

[atmita]

Here is the image I would like to share with you :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/atmita/5349998154/

[Gizem]

here are my sooc b&w photos :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gizoti/4983916060/in/set-72157625052236054/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gizoti/4983923806/in/set-72157625052236054/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gizoti/4983919492/in/set-72157625052236054/

[hurworld]

Few things please me more in photography than when I convert one of my colour photos into BW/Split Tone well. Here, is one of them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hurworld/4534269282/in/set-72157620918175449/

[Tammy Lee Bradley]

I am having a love affair with everything black and white lately. Each Wednesday, I am featuring Life In B&W on my website. xo Tam

http://bloggingbradleys.blogspot.com/

[cigi]

I love black and white! One of my favorites: http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/319365/

[Kristin]

Oh, a wonderful idea. I took some pictures and converted to b / w. And I like the result.
b / w makes the photos look more dramatic and mystical. And I see more detail.

http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/black-white-experiments.html#links

[saz chapman]

I love the textures you can achieve in B & W.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sazchapman/5367949704/in/set-72157625728906073/

[Morgen]

I love black and white. I really need to try and do more intentional black and white. I usually change a picture from color to black and white if I feel like the color is distracting me from what I wan to see. This sounds like a fun challenge :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearsefamily/5249869173/in/set-72157625784289821/

[Kathleen O.]

All the lack of color on the sledding hill (save for the bright hats and jackets and sleds) sometimes calls for sepia or b + w.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5388948804/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5386259332/in/photostream/

[Misty]

Here are some of my favorites
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4978234662/in/pool-1615907@N23
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4687604135/in/pool-1615907@N23
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5191068896/in/pool-1615907@N23

[lucy]

i love all those picnik tools! could play all day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/5293627362/in/set-72157622671579864/

[Rebecca]

Love B&W


http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5390251194/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5390250940/in/photostream/

[Becky Sue]

I have a hard time envisioning black and white since I'm such a color addict. Color makes me smile. Sometimes, though, black and white is just the way to go and a lot of it has to do with lighting.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/5386319342/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/5385138547/

I was in your Maine this weekend. Now that makes me smile!

[jnkay01]

I recently switched to black and white in the middle of shooting a random display of culture happening around me. I think it captured what I wanted to, the gritty sound of drumming and horns in the street, better than a blur of color.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnkay01/5365495113/

Thanks for the reminder about the Picknik "Curves" tips! I had totally forgotten about those.

[erika]

Thanks so much! I get lost in that group every time I click into it. I'll look for some good B&W for you while I'm on the road today.

Surprisingly, I've got all B&W too (ignore my 2 365's). I didn't anticipate that, but it's happened.

[Emily M.]

i love black and white photographs! http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyfrances5/5390311814/in/set-72157624268966979/

[ELK]

you have captured a lovely self portrait !

my post today is of evergreens against a cloud brigh sky .. in black and white
http://www.redorgray.com/2011/01/do-you-mind.html

[starrlife]

Here is one of the only B and W photos I have. I am so drawn to color but I do Like to experiment!
http://starrlife.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/black-and-white/
or
http://flic.kr/p/9dgSrP

[Sophie]

When I learned photography, about 12 years ago, the digital area as not yet begun - well it existed, but it was not affordable and accessible for everyone, so we shot only films that we developed in dark room. Most of them were black and white (we used Ilford film and paper: I still miss the « Ilford feeling » ) and our teacher trained us to « see » in black and white so we had a better control on what we were shooting. The post today reminded of this time where the black and white conversion has to be made by our eyes first.
Digital photography came to me 5 years ago and I have to admit it made me forgot this capacity to see in b&w. Because it always leaves you the choice... I shot a RAW and then, when I am in front of my screen, I decide if the image's going to be color or b&w. I have to admit though that I've been seeking for the better way to make those b&w photo, I want them to be as deep and beautiful as the one I made in real dark room... This is where I've putted my efforts on and sometimes, I make photos that satisfy me.

Like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bouquiniste/3504202385/in/set-72157607197744144/

This: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bouquiniste/5054530917/in/set-72157607197744144/

Or this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bouquiniste/2680528595/in/set-72157607197744144/

I love black and white. It's a return to the basics of photography, it's very important.

[Brenda]

Sometimes I can see the image as a b/w when taking it:
http://www.pbase.com/skiingrn1/image/132017125
http://www.pbase.com/skiingrn1/image/106599469
Foggy conditions and backlighting made it a natural b/w.

Other times I'm sitting in front of the computer and struggling with an image before realizing that b/w is the way to go:
http://www.pbase.com/skiingrn1/image/131851836
http://www.pbase.com/skiingrn1/image/122057630

I'd love to be able to develop the skill to see a scene as b/w while actually standing there. Seems like I can only do so if the conditions are foggy and leading me mentally that direction.

[Jenny Modesitt]

I love black and white...maybe more than color. The one I am posting is of my youngest. I had just returned from Ethiopia where I found the warmest, softest gabi blanket. He was wrapped in it and looked so peaceful.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8888946@N08/5360109203/

[mary]

i agree. i've had a whole different mind set while trying to shoot b/w. i like it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/37719283@N04/5389816329/
xoxo

[Patricia Davidson]

A week of no color would be difficult for me to do. I live in a place with very colorful sunsets. I still feel I need practice with black and white photography. I love what others do but am less than happy with my B&W processing results.

Here's a rare B&W shot I took a couple of months ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pddesigns/5113100323/lightbox/

[Bettina]

I love b/w and want to take a class.. here is a recent fav

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/5390506916/

of course my daughter is my fav subject

[michel]

I processes a lot of photos into black and white but I'm afraid its when my color photo is lacking something exciting. Taking part in Erika's group this week has taught me to look for black and white in the shot. not defaulting to it for drama.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michelfeist/5383993575/

[cara]

I've been exploring this idea more and more lately, and finally stumbled upon some settings that are making me love B&W:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/5389291446/

[Tara R.]

I have always preferred black and white. There can be so much depth visually and emotionally in these images.

These are a few of my favorites:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifmomsaysok/4126094294
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifmomsaysok/4531088311
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifmomsaysok/4665574277

[Amy (Papillon Sky Photography)]

Your post rings so true today. Isn't the absence of color in photos almost like winter? Suddenly we are no longer distracted by the vibrant colors of the fall leaves but now we see what lies beneath--the bare but beautiful intricacies of the trees, with their branches like lace against the sky (or the wrinkles in our face or the details in our eyes). And winter seems to often make us focus more on ourselves, on what has been hiding in our souls. Black and white photography is winter, exposing our bare branches.
Here's mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/papillonsky/5390620610/

[Hannah N.]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58304012@N08/5390169815/


I also want to add that I just got my Expressive Photography book in the mail on Monday and I haven't put it down yet! I love it!!

[lifeineden]

I was feeling brave today
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/5389893783/

[WorthIt!]

Beautiful portrait!

Thanks for encouraging me to spend some time testing the picnik editing feature as I don't often edit my images - it was fun and enlightening. Here are my results:

One in B&W
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/5390201395/in/set-72157624781735290/

and, one in sepia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/5390820002/in/set-72157624781735290/

Borth are so different from the original color image and, more interesting.

[spread your wings]

no time to post a black and white at the moment so I quickly took an existing image into picnik. there's a sort of agelessness to black and white photos. this could now be my mom pulling the sled up the hill for me when i was six.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5390856040/

[Marty Mason]

They just keep going round and round - to the finish! And that's the black and white of it.....
http://reflectionsunfurling.blogspot.com/2011/01/round-and-round.html

[Kat]

Even though I do love color, I love the emphasis of line and form you get in black and white. Perfect for architectural elements like this:
http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/08/means-or-end.html

[Stephanie]

I would never have converted this shot to b and w without Erica's promping and I love it so! It's been a fun week with 3 days left! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kristin!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38179918@N08/5385457244/

[Holly { Soupatraveler }]

i've been loving a week of no color! black and white processing is one that i need to work on, so its a good challenge for me. here was yesterday's submission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5388905305/

[FireMom]

One of my favorite photos for the year is a b/w of my sons at a game with me that I had to shoot for work. The color version was okay, a bit off as I had my camera set for the lights on the court, not the lights where they were sitting. As such, when I turned it to b/w, it was just about perfect.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsjennahatfield/5351104804/in/set-72157625603055361/

I want to shoot black and white more, but I don't think about it. Perhaps I will work on it for a week sometime soon as well. Thank you for the encouragement.

[patti]

this is how i dealt with my beautiful daughter's disaster of a bedroom. color made it all too colorful!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stakos/5322002889/in/set-72157625733679414/

[Tracy]

Used the Faded Daguerreotype in Picnik on this one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/5391081356/
a nice effect!

[damiec]

As much I love color, it's been fun surprise to see my contacts shift to b&w and a good challenge for me too.
Unfortunately the sun chose this week to take a holiday, so I'm doing less shooting for b&w than I had planned, but revisiting old images and seeing them totally transformed is fun too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/5390804049/

[Laura Louise]

sharing my everyday with you....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35374947@N04/5390873059/

[rawqueen]

Okay I love this exercise! Fabulous photo. I couldn't decide so I chose several images. Thank you for the motivation and focus! http://somethingblu.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/black-white-tidbitsfrom-the-rock/

[Kate.S]

So many other lover of black and white! I wish I was brave (and rich..? ;) enough to shoot in BW film...

Here's one l like a lot...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30297021@N02/5313570735/

[gonzomama]

like film, i think this is a new habit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/5392109148/

[Betty Thompson]

Love the B&W especially in the thick of the winter months.
http://www.shutterbugmuse.com/2011/01/26/midwinter-silence/