When do you decide to go B&W ?

[Ganesh H Shankar]

RD raised this question in his latest post. I think this topic is very interesting and every one of us may have a our thoughts to share.

I probably will share (later - bit busy with some pending work..) a few images to substatiates these thoughts below -

I would try B&W conversion -

- If elimination of color can simplify the image - two similar intensity colors can be rendered grey and can be merged. Some times this simplifies the composition.

- If the image is simple and has dramatic contrast in the (example - my elephant back image that I posted some time back)

But these are only 20% of the reasons to try B&W, the rest I am unable to explain..

Please feel free to share images (color and corresponding B&W) to support your thoughts.

[Mahesh Devarajan]

Nice topic thread Ganesh. Have always wondered about this question. These are the points from my end which make me go the B&W way.
- When the colors dont compliment each other in an image I go with B&W to see if the composition is more stronger and if the image is more appealing.
- When the sky plays a prominent role in the composition I again look at going the B&W way.
One eg is this image.

http://www.creativenaturephotography.net/forum/phpBB3_0_1/gallery/image_page.php?album_id=1&image_id=2452

- I try to look for B&W conversion for maybe 1 in 10 images. I feel the impact of B&W image kicks in when it breaks the monotony of viewing color images.

- If the image has color cast that is enhancing the mood of composition I mostly retain it in color since I feel the mood might be diluted by B&W conversion. Hey Ganesh, This is also the reason I was curious on seeing the color version for your snail shell images
http://www.naturelyrics.com/blog/creati ... soon-mood/

It should be interesting to see others views on this thread.

[Ganesh H Shankar]

hope_ex1_color.jpg (105.2 KiB) Viewed 84 times

Mahesh, here is the color version. I felt color complicates the image and takes away the "zen" feeling to some extent.

Thoughts/Views ?

[nevilzaveri]

i normally do it when b&w simplifies the image, bringing-out/enhancing it's theme or essence.

nevil

[dinesh.ramarao]

B&W comes to my mind only at times when i feel that the light is more (or should i say harsh? to me there is nothing like harsh light or low light).
There are situations where i have tried converting to B&W just because I have failed to execute them well in the field. I have used it for 'covering' up my dirt skills !
less than 1% of my images are created on the field thinking b&w.

-RD