b&w wildlife...

[payn817]

I was thinking about it today. Most of the images of wildlife we see are in color. With certain subjects, it seems the only way, but perhaps some other subjects will work.

What do you think about it?
Ever shot wildlife in b&w?
Anyone willing to post some?

I'd love to get some thoughts, and examples going. Thanks.

[payn817]

I'll get us started.

Two of these were posted yesterday in color, today I tried them in b&w and I like the look. My conversion may not be perfect, but the idea is there.

[drg]

I think the high contrast works pretty well. The second and third of these 'work' better with the third being the best. With b/w nature shots it is all about shape and composition. Nature provides a lot of that certainly but not always easily!

However, if there is a lot color or variation expected in a nature shot it can be disappointing to see them in color. When they are b/w they can be even better, but I wonder if they are as much nature shots then as much as they are something else?

Of course at one time, a lot of nature photography was in b/w just to be able to get the image in the less than perfect lighting conditions that a photographer has to work with particularly in the wild.

These are a pretty good start to a thread.

[Loupey]

Neat idea, Payn. I've done a LOT of B&W in the past but never of wildlife/nature (other than landscapes).

Some things may lend themselves to B&W over color. I'll have to think about this and hope to pull out some examples - give me a day or two please.

[Knight]

A first in this part of the Forum very original 3rd is Awsome

[Bevb]

Great work Payn817.

i prefer them in black and white, to me the subject stands out from the surroundings.

I think you have started something here!

[paulnj]

B&W wildlife usually doesn't work, but nature images are quite nice in B&W.

[Loupey]

This is a nice, back-to-basics assignment. Started thinking about "light and shadows" instead of "color". I shot this one yesterday with your post in mind.

If anyone is interested, I will post an "inverted" shot to this one in the Critique Forum. By inverted, I mean: color & focused on the shadow.

Thanks, Payn for reminding us about photography 101. Now I've got some other ideas coming to mind

[payn817]

Nice contribution. It was born out of "back to basics" thought. I have always admired b&w work, and was thinking that I hadn't shot b&w since getting into nature/wildlife, so wanted to give it a go. Although nothing new, here's more, some aren't of the best quality, but owell.

[Copy_Kot]

My first H-bird

[Loupey]

I reviewed my library of photos to see how they would convert to B&W - it is indeed difficult to find images that work well in this format.

Not having color makes it even more imperative to have the main subject separated from the background (especially in tonality). One cannot rely so much on DOF alone to accomplish this.

IMO, B&W thus forces the need to have more simple, basic scenes which is not always possible to get out in the field.

These are 4 that I converted that I felt demonstrated this:

[payn817]

In that it is more difficult, it can certainly help to improve one's skill.

Some good examples there, the dragonfly, and caterpillar look great.

[drg]

You chose well! The tonality and DOF issues are what is the 'trick' to conversions. B/W from color conversions become about graphics skill and training/experience. Unlike shooting b/w film and filtering based on a single additive or complimentary technique, when shooting in color digital you have a lot more choice.

There's no 'right' way to do a conversion, but frequently it has to be done selectively with layers and mask and 'lassos and wands' so that each portion of the photo is optimally converted.

B/W is many times the best option for patterns and textures in nature. If you have the inclination, choose an image with a lot of contrast and pattern and have it printed on a metallic paper (easily available). Then the photos really pop. Simulating some of those physical 'tricks' is a little more complicated, but fine application of contrast controls and various edge tracing tools can 'bring out' the best image as well.

I'm going to see what I can offer. I started to a day or so back and got involved in work.

[Loupey]

Good points there, CDP, and I hope to see your samples :thumbsup:

Payn, after my recent post, I was thinking that not many "good" color photographs make good B&W - BUT, are most "good" B&W images even better in color?"

My answer was "yes". So perhaps thinking through a scene as a B&W will help people improve their color photography. I believe that removing the distraction of color when evaluating certain scenes will allow better attention to light, shadows, textures, and composition and will allow better choices to be made. Then, when the final execution is made, the inclusion of color will make it that much better.