B&W Photography

Black and white photography is the ultimate classic look. I spent about 3 years as a student of photography and took all sorts of courses ranging from color, digital, experimental, basic black and white all the way up to Advanced. Getting to the point, after everything, once I reached the level to be able to take my portfolio class, I realized I had not enough black and white images. I came to the realization that black and white Fine Art photography was my dream. So, to answer the question about when it's appropriate to shoot color vs. B&W, practice, practice, practice....commit to a time frame in which you shoot ONLY B&W and learn to pre-visualize the outcome, study the zone system. Before you know it, you will have trained yourself to see in B&W, and therefore, know pretty much on the spot which format you're scene will look best in. I'm not kidding! Give it a try! In school, you learn B&W first and foremost. And personally, when I got to color courses, I actually found it difficult to see my scenes IN COLOR! (No, I am not color blind! LOL) So, there you have it. If you really want to learn the ultimate beauties black and white CAN hold, learn the zone system, learn to previsualize, and if you're really, really, serious, pick up some techniques on how to meter light and setting your scene up with the tones you choose. Sounds complicated, I know. But it's worth it in the end, believe me!

I agree. I prefer B/W when I'm photographing an inanimate object especially if its outdoors. I don't really do portraits of people, but I prefer B/W with those shots if its set up. Natural or candid shots I prefer color.

I'm a photographer, and I agree that black and white photography can be absolutely beautiful. I think two circumstances in which it works particularly well are wedding photography and scenic photography such as landscapes and location still-life arrangements. I think that any photograph will work better in black-and-white if it is taken well. The only genre of photography that I don't think black and white particularly works is commercial photography, as colour should be used to promote clothes to give the viewer a better idea of what it looks like.

I agree with you on that one! Black and white pictures are so nice on people portraits, it hides all the blemishes. I much prefer black and white phots! :0)

B&W is amazing for portraits much dependent on Glamor for me! its really is attractive!