I’ll admit, I’m usually not a fan of Black and White photography, but some images actually look better in monochrome. There’s something that changes about the mood of a photograph when colors don’t distract the eye.
I personally feel Black and White images have a moodiness about them … sometimes a sadness or mystery. Perhaps it’s because I’m a huge fan of color … color in all facets of my life. I’ve always decorated our homes with a colorful palette, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than a beautiful field of wildflowers in varying colors. Yeah, you can’t give me too much color!
With that said, every now and then, it’s good to step out of our box, and I’m really stepping out of mine with this monochromatic post.
Going through my archives, I specifically looked for photographs that already seemed somewhat monotone to see how they’d look without any color saturation.
After a little peaking and tweaking, I think I found some photographs that might actually look better in black and white than they do in color … maybe!
What do you think of the images posted? Do you enjoy Black & White photography? I still have mixed emotions about these photographs. I haven’t decided if I like them better in color or monochrome.
For this weeks photo theme, let’s share Black & White images. Feel free to share a link in the comments below so we can see your photographs or link back to this page on your post.
Wandering Wednesday – Ingrid’s Inspirations
Each Wednesday, I post a different photo theme as a way for bloggers to share their love of photography and engage with other like minded bloggers. Perhaps this prompt will serve as a little inspiration to pick up the camera in search of a composition or a reason to go through your archives. Whether you shoot with your phone, a DSLR or something in-between, don’t be shy 🤗 share and connect!
Upcoming prompts – Reflections, Sunrise, Zoo …. get out and shoot or peruse those archives!
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Live Laugh RV 
Hi Ingrid!
These pictures are beautiful and perfect for black and white! if you have a chance I would really appreciate it. If you could check out my Photography Editing Site.
Thanks
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I have enjoyed watching your blog over the years and one thing is for certain the standard of images get higher and higher – consistently
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Great B&W photos, but I’ll always prefer color photos. I’ve got some old photos of my grandparents, all B&W.
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Thanks Faye and I’m with you – prefer color, but every now and then, an image works perfectly in B&W.
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I really like that first image. I think a lot of times a seemly simple composition like that translates well to black and white. My response was to be a bit cheeky and leave just a hint of color in: https://wp.me/p2owKx-11b
Cheers! Amy
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Thanks … that first image is one of my favorites also! Your play with saturation was fun. I may need to try that.
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Lovely!
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I love black and white! But some things just don’t show the mood in black and white such as a beautiful sunrise or sunset or the colors of hot air balloons. If your trying to represent vintage, black and white is fine…but it doesn’t work in all situations. Here is an example where it worked. Classic red car fin:
https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/387cdd90-2966-460f-91e8-7ff88ac3fbcd/60d6bb55-0432-4c5d-98bb-e8aeada55782.jpg/:/rs=w:600,h:700,cg:true,m/cr=w:1200,h:700,a:cc
I wanted to show a contrast of the Painted Desert in black and White and then in full color but I can’t figure out how to insert the black and white from my photo stream into the comments. 🤨 You’ll have to take my word, the black and white was unimpressive.
https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/387cdd90-2966-460f-91e8-7ff88ac3fbcd/aa071fed-ac07-45c7-a6fe-a3b2b67fa8fb.jpg/:/rs=w:800,h:1000,cg:true,m/cr=w:1600,h:1000,a:cc
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The classic car fin image does indeed look great in B&W. I like the mood. Thanks for sharing. Wish we could’ve seen the monochrome image of the Painted Desert. When it comes to the unique southwest landscape colors, I definitely enjoy color images showcasing the different shades of reds and yellows.
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Those color landscape images are really incredible…you have many that fit the shades of color description.
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These images are lovely, Ingrid!
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Thank you Kat.
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hello I think we have the same favorite about photography. I like shot in Black and white too. I challenge my self many years to get how the black and white become so dramatic in my photography style. check this out for cool photograph that I’ve created.
https://rafifotografi.wordpress.com/
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I love the timelessness of black and white, and portraits can be better in black and white. Generally though I’m with you, colour. A landscape with red dirt, or green trees, or blue oceans, or yellow fields of canola, or red poppies – the more brilliant the colour the more I’m going to like it. I did love that one of the dead tree though – perhaps enhanced in black and white, but without seeing the colour comparison I’m not sure.
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Your black and white photos are fantastic, as are all your photos but I find monochrome pictures depressing. I have taken some which, like you, I think probably look better in black and white but they don’t draw me in. Probably the same reason I have never wanted to own lake front property in Kelowna when we lived here year round … the view out the windows in the winter is grey and depressing.
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Always interesting to see monochrome captures! Dramatic moods come alive! The water captures you chose were great in black and white!
I enjoy your Wednesday challenges. Here is my link.
https://twotrailsoneroad.com/2018/08/22/black-and-white-photography/
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Thank you Nancy – love the photos you chose for the challenge!
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Hi Ingrid, I love the leading lines in that first photograph – it takes your eye to infinity. Nice challenge. picture-retirement.com/2018/08/22/some-things-really-are-black-white/
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Thank you Suzanne … I really enjoyed your pelican photos.
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I have always loved black and white photography! I think it always enhances the drama of a scene. It allows you to see the beauty, solitude, or simplicity without the distraction of color. As you said, it evokes a mood. This is one of my favorites not only because I love clouds, but also for the idea of the open road that holds both adventure and the unknown. https://candyswhimsy.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/dramatic-wy-skies-4.jpg
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Excellent photo – I too love clouds and the open road. Your photo definitely exudes a sense of adventure.
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I really like this photo too 🙂
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Like you Ingrid I am a lover of all things vibrant. I do see that in your images the detail shows up more vividly in black and white. Hope your summer is going well!
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Our summer has whizzed by and fall is just around the corner. I’m definitely partial to color photos but it was fun challenging myself.
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Agree….B&W photos do evoke certain emotions. Yours are beautiful! How about waterfalls for one of your categories?
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Thanks Debbie and “waterfalls” would make a great theme except I have none to post. Perhaps you could be guest blogger for that theme!
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Not every image converts well to B&W now (imagine though how things were when there was nothing else but!) but when it does it can be stunning. Your first two images work perfectly.
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I thought of you when I decided on this theme. I’ve always enjoyed your enlightening monochrome posts and they’ve helped me think outside of my comfort zone.
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From my perspective…when it comes to landscape photography there is nothing more emotionly inspiring then the Ansel Adam’s portfolio.
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So true! When we visited the Tetons, I did my best Snake River capture to emulate one of Adam’s well known images … I failed, but it was fun trying.
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Gorgeous black and white shots, Ingrid!
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Thank you – this post was a stretch for me but fun!
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I like the perspectives and lines to horizon in the first two, and with railroad tracks of course. I, too, like to silhouette trees against the sky.
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Thank you – a couple of these images I actually liked better in B&W, which surprised me.
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I like the water ones, Ingrid. Reflections are great in b&w. I love color too, but I did a lot of b&w film photography and dark room work when we lived in Houston 40 years ago and it really made me look at what I was photographing. Ansel Adams was my inspiration. I have some of my 8×10 prints still and they are really special to me because b&w shows the essence of a scene. Narrows it down to line and contrast.
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I believe Ansel Adams is an inspiration to many of us. Sounds like you’ve enjoyed photography for many years. You really should start a blog to share some of your images.
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Hi Ingrid. Just got back from a quick road trip to MN, sans trailer. Back to working on our landscaping since this sandy loam is trying to all go downhill when it rains! I will have to consider starting a blog this winter when we’re sitting still in the cold for 3 months and can’t plant anything. I do have many thousand photos! Enjoy your winter in AZ!
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A WordPress blog is a great way to share your photos. You are always welcome to email me for any help or suggestions. Good luck with the landscaping … a subject I have a love/hate relationship with 😅
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These black and white photos are wonderful, Ingrid. I especially love the one with the trees reflected in the water. I’m like you, I always love color, but some photos, like these, can be more dramatic in black and white. 🙂
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I agree, Cathy, some pictures kind of “need” to be in black & white.
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Thanks … this theme was a challenge for me, but I think I found some images that actually look better in B&W.
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My post this week tackles the black and white question. I like black and white in certain landscape photos, I feel it brings out the essence of what your’re seeing. These photos are all great in black and white.
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Thank you Mary, and yes, I saw your post. For some reason, I haven’t been able to comment on your posts lately.
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I am always amazed at how changing a photo from color to B&W and totally change the perspective and emotions from the viewer. Great theme!
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Agree, the mood of an image seems to change drastically whether there’s color or not. How are you liking the FZ300?
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I think the images you posted are perfect for black and white. My favorite is the trees. You’ve really challenged us with this one!
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Thank you Beth, and believe me, this post was a challenge for me, but isn’t that how we grow? Glad to see you rose to the challenge with your own wonderful images.
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