— According to PhotographyLife website, black and white photography is defined as “the art of using different tones of gray, ranging from white to dark, to create compelling images.” It is not as easy as one might think. A lot of things need to be considered in order to create a compelling black-and-white photo. It is a challenging and rewarding genre of photography. The photographer must be more mindful of essential elements, such as the composition, light, and contrast of their images. Most people start with a color image, such as all images here, but modern digital cameras can now create completely black-and-white photos in camera nowadays.
A wide or high tonal contrast image is often a good candidate for an effective black-and-white photo. I captured the next image at Copperfield Nature Trail (Austin, Texas), near my house. You can see the sun’s rays created a lot of contrast as they filtered through the trees. I have found that some of my favorite black-and-white images are captured when there is harsh light in the middle of the day. This image, however, took advantage of the late afternoon sun with long shadows.
Although every black-and-white photo is monochromatic, the reverse is not true. Monochromatic photography is a type of photography that uses only one color, or different shades of that color, to create an image. In addition to using black and white, it can also be done using other colors, such as sepia, cyan, or red. Take, for example, the photo below where I used a selenium tint. Again, as in the first image, this was captured at Big Bend NP in Texas (USA).
Monochromatic images can appear naturally in art, objects, and also in nature. Take, for example, the next two photos. The first is a macro of a faucet. It exhibits primarily a chrome color in its reflections. The other photo is a bronze art piece displayed at The University of Texas at Austin. Its primary bronze color makes it a monochromatic image.
Going back to my favorite subject — Nature — there are many scenes that display monochromatic colors. Immerse yourself in a forest and you will likely see mostly green around you. If you think of the oceans, depending on where you are, you can see mostly shades of blue or green. Some national parks in the USA Southwest are known for their red rocks. Arches NP and Bryce Canyon NP are two examples that come to mind. And then we come to flowers. Please take a look at Missouri Primrose, Blue Plumbago, Horsemint, and Texas Red Yucca seeds. Each of these flowers and seeds are monochromatic. The first three also show primary colors only, which was the subject of a recent post.
In conclusion, I want to leave with a little composite I created to generate a monochromatic image. The original photo was captured in the noon hour. However, I wanted it to look moody on a dark night. On top of that, I wanted a large Supermoon present. The result is the blue monochromatic composite you see below.
pattimoed
Hi Egidio. I’m so glad I read your post. It’s wonderful. I love how you explored different aspects of b & w and monochrome. I like your experiment at the end, too. You created a great mood there.
Egídio
Patti, thank you for the feedback. I appreciated it. These lens-artists challenges are really wonderful. I will late submitting something for this week because I’m traveling.
pattimoed
We’re all delighted you joined us then and continue to join us.
Rupali
Too good, Egidio.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you very much.
Wandering Dawgs
Your images are fantastic! I love the last image of the old barn with the blue moon.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you for the compliment. That last image was fun to create as a composite.
Paul
Nice collection. I particularly like the photos of Big Bend.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Paul. Big Bend is one of my favorite parks in Texas.
I. J. Khanewala
Beautiful shots. You are really pushing the boundaries of monochrome
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for your feedback.
Anita
These are all very beautiful Egídio. I especially like the depth of the first image and the last one is outstanding. The second image is very harmonious while the next one is magnificent.
Never heard of monochromatic colors. Very interesting information and lovely nature photos. Thanks for sharing this.
Egídio Leitão
Anita, your detailed feedback is a breath of fresh air. It is not every day that a viewer takes the time to offer such detailed critique. I really appreciate you taking the time to write. Thank you.
Dan
You’re a real pro. Wonderful first two images. The last one is a masterful job! Nicely done!
Egídio Leitão
Dan, thank you so much for the compliment. I’m still learning Photoshop (I used it for the composite). I appreciated your kind remarks.
Leya
An interesting and creative post – love the last one especially, but the first two are glorious too. Selenium looks great. Neatly done!
Egídio Leitão
Ann-Christine, many thanks for the feedback. That selenium edit is surely getting some positive reaction. I think I’ll have to start experimenting with monochrome edits more often. Thanks again.
Amy
The first two are stunning! Love your mono images, especially the last one, breathtaking!
Egídio Leitão
Amy, thank you for your kind words. I appreciated that.
Sofia Alves
First two are quite awesome in mood and composition, Egídio. I’ve never tried selenium either but might give it a go, your example shows how it can work. Nice closing shot too for a wonderful post that I enjoyed reading too.
Egídio Leitão
Sofia, thank you for the feedback and coplement. It helps me tremendously to read about my composition and editing.
Anne Sandler
This is a great and creative response to this challenge Egidio!
Egídio Leitão
Anne, it’s so nice to read your supportive feedback. Thank you.
Klausbernd
Thanks for sharing. We like your picture best.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Egídio Leitão
Thank you very much for your feedback. I’m sorry it took me so long to reply. Somehow WordPress sent your comment to spam. It should not happen again now that this is approved.
boromax
Wonderful photographs! Helpful, well-written narration, too. I learned some things. That composite is captivating.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you for your feedback and compliment. I see you’re also a music lover. My music passion is Brazilian music (have a website — musicabrasileira.org — where I do reviews on that).
nesfelicio
Beautiful work. The last one achieved your “moody” goal. Nice gradation of colors. The dynamic range of the blue plumbago is not easy to capture. All great images.
Egídio Leitão
Nes, thanks for your detailed feedback. I appreciate reading that. I guess it helps to have Blue Plumbago in my garden so I can practice, practice, and practice. 🙂
JohnRH
WOW. Great selections. Love that Big Bend highway and sky, and the Cerro Castellan. Beautiful!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, John. Big Bend is an all-time favorite place of mine. Too bad it’s 9 hours from Austin! Thanks again for the compliment.
margaret21
Like Tina, I’m particularly impressed with your first and last images. But generally, this is a terrific post.
Egídio Leitão
Margaret, your thoughtful feedback is very much appreciated. Thank you.
prmckee1
As a long time friend who has followed your photography from earliest days, I’m impressed by the development of your writing skills that equal that of your photographic skills. The depth of research you conduct to express your thoughts about your photographs never fails to enlighten me. Thanks for accompanying your photos with thoughtful commentary.
Egídio Leitão
I truly appreciate your feedback and compliment. Thank you.
Tina Schell
A beautiful exploration of monochrome and B&W Egidio. all are wonderful, but I especially loved your opener and also the closing composite. I’ve never used selenium but that’s a really interesting result as well. Might have to give it a try!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for the feedback, Tina. Selenium is new to me, too. I will probably explore that tonality more in future edits.