Without color
Article Excerpt:
Without color the components of visual design become that much more important. Look at the lines in the image. Are they horizontal? Vertical? Diagonal? Do they form a pattern? Rhythm or repeating elements in a photo are interesting, with a break in the repetition being even more interesting. Also look at the texture, shapes, and forms in the image. Concentrating on these will take your mind off the color and enhance your ability to “see” and think in monochrome.
~Joel Wolfson from his article Digital Black and White Photography Tips and Techniques
An eye for lines and shapes
Whether abstracts or straight ahead photography, or whatever genre for that matter, we are attracted to lines and shapes. These are powerful compositional elements which, combined with dramatic lighting and stimulating colors, provide interest in images. We don’t search for lines and shapes. For the keen photographer, it is almost second nature to spot such elements, along with textures, patterns, forms, shadows and highlights. The photographer’s “third eye” is always on the look out, it doesn’t turn on and off. It is ingrained in his system to notice and discern what is interesting and what will work out. He may see a subject in its grandiose totality and as a composite whole, but he will also eye the subject’s parts and areas that may carry distinct forms, details and character. Here are samples:
It has been one great week of photographic abstractions. I hope you enjoyed this week’s picture series. Thank you all for the visits, views, likes, comments and follows. Always, we must have fun in our photography and at the same time learn and develop it, maybe not to staggering, earth-shattering, legendary levels (anyway, most of us are not professionals) but simply to a point where we can be satisfied and proud of our work and make it worthy to be shown and shared to our online viewers. Keep on clicking my friends!
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Everywhere is something which could be beautiful. You must only learn to see and to know what and how to take off, to crop from the infinity – abstract, fine art, nature, landscape and portrait photography.~Florin Constantinescu
The mark of its maker
Outlines, forms, shadows, shapes, lines, light, tones, textures – these are the ingredients of black and white photography. Have fun with your imagery. Play with the elements and composition. Love the light. Bask in contrast. Experiment. Crop to exclude and emphasize. Discover. Assess with your eye. Process with your brain. Capture with your heart. With these, I can offer no other more meaningful tips when it comes to making monochrome images. With tools and knowledge, it all boils down to you – the creator and artist. After all, each picture is an individual mark of its maker.
Seeing in monochrome
I was at a room in this five-star hotel and sipping coffee in a corner table by the window. At the back of my chair was a tall lampshade and when I looked up, lo and behold – shapes, lines, light! I was looking straight at the inside of the lampshade from below. I guess it’s already instinct as my left hand reached over my belt pouch for the camera. I composed with the circle dead center in the frame and took a shot. I took two other shots, one with the circle on the left and the other on the right side of the frame, all the while with my head tilted on the chair’s head rest (an awkward pain-inducing position for the nape, hence three takes were enough). As always I shot in color, but I was picturing the scene in monochrome. With distinct lines, angles and geometric shapes and light peering through the partially opened curtain, I knew this would be a keeper in black and white. Experience and practice teach us how to spot subjects that would work well in the classic medium. In our head, it’s almost an automated process, a routine thought, a programmed visualization, a photographer’s gift of “seeing.”
The artist and technician in abstract photography
Article Excerpt:
What is it really and is it the same as Abstract Art?
As the name implies “abstract” denotes what can be interpreted but not seen. The art form is many times debated to be complex and difficult to understand. Yet it attracts a horde of art critics and art collectors from every part of the globe, and several interpretations may accompany abstract paintings. Similarly, abstract photography draws the same popularity except it is done with a camera and not with brush and paint!
The exact definition of this art is difficult but it is sufficient to understand that there are no rules or norms for creating and in layman terms “anything goes” as long as it appeals to the eye!…
Abstract photography is really the prerogative of a true artist and one who also has a scientific bent of mind. Composing a perfect shot requires the “artist” and taking the photograph requires the “technician”! Imagination knows no bounds and the best results are when one uses creative powers to its full capacity.
~Seth Willis Jr. from his article Abstract Photography
Be like a child
The photo below is a toy of my niece. It’s a multi-colored plastic springy thing shaped like a star. I looked through it and saw, well, a star-shaped tunnel. Immediately I took my camera and tried to poke the lens through the toy to get a shot. I struggled to get a shot and tried to bend here and there the springy, elastic toy. My niece was amused at what I was doing. I was like a child again, not playing with the toy, but trying to muster a decent shot.
We photographers are the curious, inquisitive type. Upon seeing a potential photographic subject, we stare and take a look, and often fuss about it. We become a child again, wide-eyed, all the while thinking of how to tackle the subject – the angles, perspective, framing and composition. Which is a good thing because it opens our eyes to observe carefully and “see” things in a whole new light.
Martin Lee Leddy has this to say from his article Using Your Inner Child’s Eye:
“Let your eye wander to the normally unnoticed things, and go photograph them. Morning light is a wonderful source of inspiration for taking macro photos of insects, flowers, dripping water, dew covered spider webs and other things we haven’t looked for since childhood. Use wide angle lenses for photos of scenery, and search for opportunities to take other photos of things that later in the day carry no mystique. Look for dew drops, coiled hoses, shadows on the buildings and photograph them all. Enjoy seeing the wonder through the eyes of your inner child. Remember, Look for the details!”
Once the lens was snugly fit inside the other end of the springy toy, I smiled at my niece and beckoned her to look at the camera’s viewfinder and she let out a loud “wow!” upon seeing the image (which is the above photo).
Seek out graphic elements
Article Excerpt:
No “graphic photographs” do not have anything to do with adult themed images. Graphical photography is an image style that utilizes shape, geometry and color to resemble something that might be drawn or designed. Photographs that are considered graphic in nature have distinct curves & lines, color contrast and highlight geometry within a particular scene. It may sound more complex than it really is, as I’m sure you’ve seen photos everywhere that fit this description.
Finding and taking photographs with a strong graphic element takes an observant eye. Man-made objects such as machinery, architecture, roads, etc. are inherently great graphic photography subjects because they’re designed with geometry in mind by engineers, architects and civic planners. Nature subjects also have a strong geometric shape rooted in the molecular geometry of organic compounds like cellulose and inorganic compounds with crystalline structures like quartz. Whether your subject is made by man or nature if you add light, shadow and color plus follow the 5 tips below you have all the ingredients needed for a great graphic photos.
~Jim Goldstein from his article 5 Tips to Create Graphic Photographs
The random shot
The advantage for us – amateurs, hobbyists and enthusiasts – over those who engage in photography as a means of income is that we can afford to take random pictures which do not need to be professional-looking. Okay, though we strive to capture and create pictures worthy to be printed in top quality photographic paper, framed and displayed on a wall for all the world to see, that is not a primary consideration. For most of us, sharing a picture online for the viewing pleasure of our friends and peers is enough. We need not produce visual masterpieces all the time; we are not compelled to.
The above picture is of the atrium of the Mall of Asia in Metro Manila. As the name suggests, it is said to be the biggest commercial complex this side of the world and yesterday was the first time for me to go inside this cavernous structure. As it was a Sunday, the place was filled with people enjoying their weekend time. It was around early afternoon when I went down an escalator and looked up to see this massive ceiling of glass and steel. In the rush of people and the 10 seconds it took to ride the escalator I pulled out my point and shoot cam and took a couple of random shots, no time for thinking and composing and how the shot will come out. At that moment I was dependent on Auto Mode which, if you have read many of my previous posts, is an option I do not totally count on. But Auto Mode is an ally you can turn to in certain situations where you can not properly set up gear or go around to find certain angles or perspectives. I have done many random shots and some of them are keepers, such as the above. Most, however, go straight to the trash bin. The photo may not be the most satisfying of my captures but I can live with that, rather than leave the place with no capture at all. Have a great week ahead my friends!
Visualize in black and white
Article Excerpt:
Think about the non-color visual design elements of your image. Without color the components of visual design become that much more important. Look at the lines in the image. Are they horizontal? Vertical? Diagonal? Do they form a pattern? Rhythm or repeating elements in a photo are interesting, with a break in the repetition being even more interesting. Also look at the texture, shapes, and forms in the image. Concentrating on these will take your mind off the color and enhance your ability to “see” and think in monochrome.
Train your brain for black and white by comparing the same images in both black and white and color. Most photo software lets you go back and forth between images or look at them side-by-side. A good way to teach yourself how to visualize in black and white is to look at the same image both ways. Do this with as many images as you can. I would include images that you initially intended to be black and white as well as those that were not intended that way. Sometimes you will discover great black and white images that weren’t shot with that purpose. More importantly it will ultimately help you be able to look at a color scene in the world and visualize it as a black and white image.
~Ashley Robinson from her article Digital Black and White Photography Tips and Techniques
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It’s up to you what you do with contrasts, light, shapes and lines to emphasize the essence, or what you see as the essence – no colors that will seduce the eye, only emotion that will capture the heart.~Joel Tjintjelaar.
Not always of the grand and majestic
The problem when we go out and take pictures is we try to find the grand and majestic scene. We try to search for sceneries with the “ooh” and the “ahh.” Yet it is not always that we are in front of nature’s wonders like a glorious sunset or sunrise, or an imposing mountain, a sublime forest or an awe-inspiring waterfalls. We are not National Geographic photographers who seek the marvelous in this earth. We are moms and dads, workers in a 9 to 5 cycle in the metropolis. Some of us are living a quiet life as retired citizens of this world after spending most of our time on family and work. Many of us are not certified adventurers and wilderness seekers, though given the chance we would like to be like them. So lower our expectations. Not all photos or subjects should be breathtaking.
However, all photos must be compelling. It may not be the “Grand Canyon” of our photographic dream but a picture must, at the very least, hold interest. For more than 400 posts in this almost half a year reference and information photo blog, I guess you must have picked something of what makes a picture interesting. They are very basic elements one must include in the image because they attract the eye: colors, lines, shapes, forms, patterns, textures, lighting. How you frame and compose some or all of these elements will further add appeal to the image. With some of us having precious little time for ourselves and our family, and usually only during weekends when we can have bonding with spouse and kids, or with friends, a stroll in the park or favorite hangout can feed a photographic longing. Watch out for scenes like the above picture. It is not as grand as a sunset, but it will hold its own engaging quality because the photographic elements were effectively arranged and presented.
It’s a personal thing
A noted photographer once said that a good color image is a a good black and white image. I agree. But this needs some decision-making. The picture below has all the necessary elements for a good black and white image – the patterns and lines of the tree’s bare branches is enough to carry the picture. I could have easily converted it to monochrome. I did not. Why?
The colored backdrop of a late afternoon sky, that’s why. In black and white, the picture above would not be missing anything, except of course color. The subject itself which is the tree is already colorless, and it’s just a matter of converting the sky into shades of gray. Here’s where it becomes a personal thing. A picture will always be a matter of how the photographer sees it, defines it and presents it. He could color the tree yellow, green or blue, and that’s his art and imagination, though that doesn’t count as factual photography. I opted for what’s real and presented it the way I saw and captured it that late afternoon – a bare colorless tree reaching out into patches of orange sky. I decided on that realism. Photography is not only the art of seeing but also the process of thinking how an image is best presented. That relies on a photographer’s judgment. It’s a personal thing. A photographer knowledgeable and trained in the art will always know what’s best, both for himself and for his viewers.
A visual story without color
A picture is a story conveyed in a single shot. That solo frame of an image is a narrative summarized through meticulous capture, execution and presentation. On seeing an image, composing and arranging the elements and subject, we hope for a reaction. And one of the first things that trigger reaction is colors – how it is effectively presented and utilized. Colors create mood and character, and highlight subjects. Strip away colors and what do you have to evoke reaction from your viewers? How will you incorporate mood and character in an image whose primary element of color is missing? How will you tell your story, your message in black and white?
The art of story telling in a single image is hard enough, more so in the absence of color. Liken this to peeling away the layer of color and exposing the innards which are the structure and form. We literally return to the basics, such as:
1. Find the lines and there are many of them: the straight line, horizontal and vertical, the diagonal line., the broken line, the jagged line, the leading lines, and the curves.
2. Find patterns, textures and shapes. Color can be disorienting and confusing. A pattern of contrasting and playful colors is fun. Take away color and you have repetitions of light, shades and shadows. You can highlight outlines and shapes with light and darkness. You can use side lighting on a surface, whether rough or fine, for textures to come out.
3. Let your black be black and let your white be white. But if your read the previous post “The math in monochrome,” we learned that 000 is pure black and 255 is pure white, which means that there are 254 shades of grey in between. Effectively apply greys in your image through the tonal adjustment feature in your editing software. Tones define details, add depth and establish mood.
4. Go for low key or high key lighting. An image enveloped in soft white light, or plunged into subtle darkness creates character. This creative light technique will always add drama and impact on an image.
My primer and principle in photography is right there at the top of the sidebar. You have probably come across it several times. It is that every image you take is a story. You should be true to your art and tell your story well whether in color or, more importantly so because of its characteristic, in black and white.
The math in monochrome, or why shoot first in color
Article Excerpt:
Now, think about all the information you have there. Three colours, with 256 possible strengths of colour.
256 x 256 x 256 = 16,777,216
Wow! Each dot can represent any one of over 16 million colours. That’s a lot of colours!
So what happens if you set your camera to black and white digital photography mode? It throws away all of those colours and simply records the strength of light at that pixel on a scale of 000 256.
000 = pure black
255 = pure white
anything in the middle is grey.
This is the main reason why I implore you to not set your camera to black and white mode.
If you do you are asking your digital camera, that is capable of recording any one of over 16 million combinations to choose from just 256 of them. You’re basically throwing away information that you might just need later on.
~Top Quality Digital Black and White Photography from digital-photography-tips.net
Curves and the element of elegance
Article Excerpt: “Of all the various aspects of the current topic, curves are my favorite. Curves can be used to add a touch of grace and beauty to a photo. Curves are the element of elegance in photographic imagery…First, curves function similarly to diagonal lines in that they tend to make an image more dynamic…Curves are abundant in nature and allow the photographer to add impact and grace to her image. Some examples are the curve of the ocean’s waterline during a sunset, the curve of a bird’s feathers, and tall bent grass in a late afternoon’s light…However, there is a second function that lines and curves serve: lines and curves can lead the eye of the viewer to strategic points in the image. This is a very effective technique. Photographers can deliberately lay out images such that the lines and curves in the image repeatedly lead the viewer’s eyes back to the point where the photographer wants the viewer’s attention.”~Ron Bigelow from his article Advanced Composition – Part 1
Photo Quotes 108
There’s something strange and powerful about black-and-white imagery.~Stefan Kanfer
The rule is there are no rules
Every well-meaning photography tutorial I come across online will have this caveat – the rule is there are no rules, only guidelines. And there are lots of guidelines, all in the name of coming up with a great composition. This article – 10 Top Photography Composition Rules – from PhotographyMad.com lists the most important of these guidelines. It gives a rundown on the following: rule of thirds, balancing elements, leading lines, symmetry and patterns, viewpoints, background, depth, framing, cropping, and experimentation. We’ve dealt with most of them in previous posts (and we’re nearing almost 300 posts) through write-ups, photo quotes and articles and book excerpts. After giving a brief explanation on each of the ten items in the list, the article wraps up with a very sound advice:
“Composition in photography is far from a science, and as a result all of the “rules” above should be taken with a pinch of salt. If they don’t work in your scene, ignore them; if you find a great composition that contradicts them, then go ahead and shoot it anyway. But they can often prove to be spot on, and are worth at least considering whenever you are out and about with your camera.”
It is the job of the photographer to present whatever subject in the best possible manner. From the most stunning landscapes he takes the effort to capture (which is not everyday as this requires on-location shoots) to the most ordinary things he sees daily on his way to work or school, it is incumbent upon him, the photographer, to convey in the strongest way what he saw through the pictures he took. Knowledge on the “rules” of composition will come in handy. In the above picture, the leading lines, perspective, geometric shapes and blue patterns are what caught my attention in one of the ubiquitous sights of Singapore – covered sidewalks. People go through them and see them everyday, but it just takes an inquisitive photographer to see the sidewalk beyond its literal form and function, and perceive it as neatly arranged elements of lines, shapes and colors. Composition took care of the presentation.
Photo Quotes 96
To take better black and white photographs, you don’t necessarily need to change the way you use your camera. Instead, you are looking to change the way you see the subject, and how you can use light, shade and composition to capture the character that black and white photography has to offer.~Andrew Goodall
Lines…the one element that defines a composition
Article Excerpt: “The lines that make up an image are the one element that defines the success or failure of a composition. The feminine lines of a model, the circular lines of a staircase, and the bold graphic lines of the support structure for a glass ceiling in a museum or airport are very different, yet they all have one thing in common: If they are striking, compelling, and beautiful, the photograph will be as well. If they are not, the picture probably won’t be very good…There are basically eight kinds of lines: horizontal, vertical, diagonal, C-curve, S-curve, arch, circle, and spiral. Each one of these types of lines can produce outstanding images…”~Jim Zuckerman on Composition: Lines
(Photo location: A dilapidated house in Iloilo City)
Photo Quotes 54
I stand still or move slowly, feeling things like the impulse of shapes, the direction of lines, the quality of surfaces…Nothing that one could reasonably call thinking is taking place at this stage. The condition is total absorption…~Aaron Siskind (Photo location: Postal Building, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
The meaning of lines
Lines are powerful elements in a picture. Like shapes, forms and colors, our eyes are naturally attracted to lines which can dramatically enhance an image. How we place lines or how we frame them is all part of composition. Lines can be the central subject or contributing elements and it is crucial to know what part they play in the picture. Now there are vertical, horizontal, curved and diagonal lines and each carry their respective meanings. This article – The Use Of Lines In Photography – explores and explains the connotations associated with lines. An example: vertical lines portray “dominance, power and growth in photographs.” Subjects that come to mind include trees, buildings, towers, electric posts, columns, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and the like. You can read the article to learn more of what the other lines are associated with. There are parallel lines, leading lines, broken lines, jagged lines, lines that divide and lines that connect. Whatever you do with them it helps to understand what they are there for and why they are in the image in the first place, because they can be effective components of composition. (Photo location: Lemery Church, Batangas)
Junsjazz Images & Inspiration 