A photographic quandry solved
Choosing between a colour shot and converting black and white is often a dilemma. And recently I wondered if it was wrong to drain all the colour from a beautiful floral macro. Maybe this is the answer…
This shot was taken in Crystal Palace Park in south-east London. I’m still not sure which version I prefer. They both have their own qualities. What are your thoughts?
mikeosbornphoto 
I’m not sure either…
I look at them… and I realize that I like them both.
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It’s a hard one to call. But monochrome florals are so much more dramatic and striking – more about light, shade and texture rather than colour.I guess floral photography is not at the front of your queue?…
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I have some floral photographs in my archive too (since I’ve worked as a photographer for many years), but it’s not what I prefer to photograph. :)
Here’s some from my blog:
http://malinhphotography.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/flowers-and-colors/
And an analogue (black and white film) here:
http://malinhphotography.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/my-thoughts-on-self-confidenceself-esteem/
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How interesting to see. Your colour florals are really in your style, which is very artful with just a touch of abstract. Thank you for showing these to me, Malin.
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Thank you very much, Mike! Macro photography can be fun sometimes, but it’s not “my cup of tea” if I say so…
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Oh absolutely. It’s good that we have our different specialities and find material to suit our styles. But it’s good to step out of the zone from time to time!
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Agree! :)
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Love both shots. Black and white always adds a arty feel, being automatically one remove from realism.
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Thank you Rachael, good to hear your view.
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I think that a decision to go black and white or retaining colour is purely an artistic choice and it depends entirely on what you’re trying to produce. If your artistic vision is best conveyed without the distractions of colour, then perhaps B&W is your friend. As others have said above, a lack of colour lends itself to greater focus on shapes, textures, contrast… B&W can also often produce more dramatic effects. What I also love about B&W is the subsequent opportunities for toning or split toning for even more artistic options.
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Hi Mike, that’s a really interesting comment. Yes, I think monochrome opens up a host of possibilities, even for a subject which doesn’t naturally lend itself to conversion. of course it’s also an option if a full colour version lacks body. It’s all down to the person who owns the material at the end of the day.
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If colour not form is the focus with flowers then stick with the colour. With your picture up the contrast in B&W to give more depth and purpose. The colour is great too,
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Good thinking! I must be more adventurous with the contrast – or even try shooting florals in film grain. Now that would be interesting.
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B&W is good for texture, contrast, shape, and compositions that don’t rely on colour. Certain shots need the colour removed so you can focus on those forms.
Colour is obvious. This is how we see (well most of us) the world around us. Colour defines certain objects and when you strip away that colour your mind is quizzed by the lack of the obvious and you then focus on that which is taken for granted.
A macro shot of a flower works well in B&W if there are contrasts in light, texture and shape but of a flower bed full of foliage and petals needs colour.
Does that make any sense?
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Are you suggesting that flowers are by nature colourful and therefore should remain in the original, Seb?
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I like them both, for different reasons..the colour one is beautiful, as a photograph of a flower, but it very much states itself as only that. The black and white one gives more room to the imagination I think, and could start to tell more of a story, you can see other shapes and forms in it because your mind isn’t tied to the idea of it being just a photograph of a flower…I think…!
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That’s what I’ve been grasping for! You don’t expect a bright colourful flower to be presented in monchrome, so it’s an assault on the senses. But the trouble is some viewers are jarred by this!
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I like them both but find the b&w one somehow is more intimate.
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It’s certainly less “in your face” that the glowing colour version is. But if in doubt, put them both out there!
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I think flowers should always be in color.
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Thanks for your comment, Bill, it’s a very fair one. Though I think robbing them of their colour gives them a whole new life.
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