I think black and white becomes a natural choice in an attempt to move out of just as seen images, at least initially. Black and white images need more planning, more seeing and more imagination of the mind than how it seems. It is indeed lot difficult to bring out such changes in colored images unless someone is really shooting a lot in various conditions. I think none of us are doing that VMR. I can say for myself and to an extent about Ganesh also that we mostly love to shoot against light and this itself is the first step where we think of sacrificing details which include colors too. My understanding of CNP right from its inception has been that it is a forum which is beyond just a unique angle, people in the forum are making or trying to make images with a lot of thoughts working in their mind. Unique angles specially in wildlife are often not in the hands of the photographer and thus the factors of being lucky come into play. I personally feel that the uniqueness of CNP stands out here that not only wildlife but every single bit of nature is being appreciated and photographed and we can see imaginations of artists at play. I doubt if this is a regular wildlife forum, well at least not for me. Take RD's images for example, he has created a definite signature over these years to include so many aspects of nature in his theme of clutter which initially began with only branches of trees. His images are not only in monochrome but he has excellent colored images too. The entire world has moved on, one can see Sandra Bartocha, Bastien or Theo's images to see how minds are rising above the normal to make this difference and so many of them are just in color. Another important aspect of colors failing in India or in the sub continent is that light here is very harsh and pollution too high, the muted tones are so difficult to generate. The other day Arati asked me how does Sandra get such colors in her images, one can get in Gujarat / Rajasthan in winter but not everywhere here in India. Of course the Himalayas are there which can bring in a variety, but do we actually go to Himalayas to shoot butterflies in specific seasons ? Very rarely VMR.
To imagine in black and white while seeing in color requires not only more knowledge and control but also a vast degree of creativity. I am not sure personally though that compartmentalizing images into colors or monochromes is a fair treatment here but again this is entirely my idea. I must beg to differ here that black and whites are done to bring out shapes and contrasts better, shapes and contrasts only contribute partially to the physical aspects of monochrome images. We have been fortunate to see images of Nirvair or Nirlep which so delicately balance between man and nature and these images have moved deep into our hearts because we have a platform like CNP to see them. Most of Nirvair and Nirlep's images have been in colors and far away from wildlife, but deep inside nature. I can only disagree and smile at those who think that people convert images to b/w to smooth out rough edges. Even if they do while processing or use of lensbaby or tilt and shift, what is the harm in it ? Every artist needs freedom and space to express in his / her own way, it will be a pity if artists are guided on how to make their images or how to present them. It sounds more like administration of artists, or artist management
which in my opinion is signing a death warrant of an expressing mind and soul.
Finally, I think the bias as seen between color and black and white images are not intentional. Recently myself, Ganesh and Dhritiman were judging a contest and not a single image in monochrome could be selected. It was not intentional that we did not award any monochrome image. The images in monochromes failed to carry the mood, am sure everyone in CNP judge images the same way. It is the image first and then comes the thought whether it is in monochrome or color. I would definitely like to voice my rumblings to stand in favor of images which have patterns of natura urbania just as much as I would rumble for wildlife
. In short, every single mind with every spark of ideas have the right to create just whatever they wish to be it color or monochrome, nature just in the backyard or among the amazing world of mammals and birds or even while making images of the members of the lesser kingdom. We have seen true democratic expressions where a leaf or a bug keeps us amazed just as much as an elephant or a rare bird....
Would love to hear the thoughts of others too....
