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Monday, October 8, 2012

Black & white vs. color

Today I’m sharing three photos in black & white and with the exception of one, I prefer the colorless versions. But let’s see what you think.

There are several methods of converting from color to black & white. I use Photoshop, and specifically actions to do so, trying different ones until I get the effect I’m looking for. I took each of these photos over the weekend.



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I think b&w lends itself well to flowers, but not all of the time.



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Today, yes.

I’m calling this Goodbye to Summer.




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And then there’s my favorite guy.




And now, each in color . . .

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I like the pale tones here, and may prefer the color over the black & white edit in this case.


(aren’t you glad you come here to ponder the questions of the world?)





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This is fun, but I just prefer the colorless version.




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And ditto for the blue morning glory.

But what do you think?

Because inquiring minds want to know.



:  :  :



Watched The Secret Life of Bees over the weekend and never realized how beautiful the soundtrack is. Here are two songs that I just can’t seem to get out of my head. Luckily I love each of them ~



:)
Heaven’s My Home by Sam & Ruby



:)
Song for Mia by Lizz Wright



Hope your week is beautiful. It’s certainly chilly here in Maryland!
123 Signature[5]

39 comments:

  1. I think the color shots are stunning ....... But the B&W versions really knock my socks off! WOW!

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  2. Both versions are beautiful but if forced to choose, for the flowers I prefer the color. So vibrant, cheerful, and full of life. Both versions are gorgeous though.

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  3. That morning glory blue is very beautiful!!

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  4. I think the B&W's are mysteriously stunning . The coloured are fantastic. Papa here is Photoshop wiz I on the other hand am slowly learning and exploring with it all ! I have this movie Secret Life of Bees as Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah are two of my fave's ! It's chilly here in Ontario as well well into fall ! Have a good week !

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  5. I'm a die-hard color person...probably because my B&Ws have so much to be desired, but you have the b&w florals down perfectly. Must say I like George in color...he looks just so huggable.

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  6. I love the color versions of the flower photos, but the black and white of George. I've tried taking black and white shots of flowers myself and I don't know, they just don't do it for me.

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  7. I am a color kind of gal. The more vibrant the better. There are few things I like better in black and white: maybe a misty or snowy landscape. So I'll vote for the color. That being said... It doesn't mean I don't like the black and white ones b/c they are stunning.... You just asked us to weigh in on our fave :)

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  8. I will always choose color. Always.
    And zinnias can never be black and white. IMHO.
    George, is perfect either way. But I love the greens in the background of his color shot.
    All beautiful, as usual.

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  9. I think they are all beautiful and I think the black and whites lead the way, as they are exquisite.

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  10. I love the black and white flowers (altho the blue of the morning glory is pretty nice, too). I would have thought I'd have gone for the black and white of George, but I I actually prefer him in color this time. Love the dew drops on the morning glory and all those little circles and spirals at the center of the zinnia.Thanks again for sharing:))

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  11. WOW, I'd have to go with color. If you saw my current mosaic you'd know why I'm saying that.

    Love the pictures.

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  12. there's no music links ...

    interesting i was just daydreaming about a blog with only b/w photos ..

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  13. black and white focuses on form and I do notice things overlooked otherwise--but O!--I love color!

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  14. I love the spirals around the center of the zinnia. Have you thought of closing in on them? I think with the outer petals as your "background" it would make an interesting photo. Love the "texture" of that photo, especially in the B&W.

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  15. It's chilly here during the night, and then it turns into warm days, and warm nights.

    They say it's unusual...well better then snow.

    Love those photos, I will love them black and white, or in color...any way.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  16. I have never understood the facination for the B&W photos. I love the ones in color.

    I do aknowlegde though that in rare exceptions the B&W ones can be better but that's in my oppinion the case with portraits.

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  17. black and white for sure !!!

    wow....that first flower is just stunning !!

    and good bye to summer makes me sad....i'd much rather be saying hello to it, after inhaling spring and skipping right over winter :)
    xo

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  18. You find some of the nicest music! Thanks for helping me keep my ipod up to date:)

    In general I love Black and white photography and I find that these black and white photos really excentuate the textures of those flowers...something that those amazingly rich colors completly overwhelms in both photos. I am terrible at taking a stand on these issues though...somedays I would just need the color and somedays that texture... Not very helpful am I:)

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  19. oooooh, that Zinnia in B&W.... absolutely love it.

    George couldn't take a bad shot if he tried.

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  20. I think I completely agree with you, though I was torn about the morning glory because that is my favorite shade of blue. but the water drops are fabulous on the b&w version.
    lately i am finding myself drawn to b&w photos all the time... not sure why. soothing maybe.

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  21. I prefer color for most shots, especially flowers. A wall of black and white portraits and candids is lovely. Any way you color it, your shots are beautiful.

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  22. STUH-NING!!!!
    I think colour, although (as you know) I adore B&W. You are so clever with your shot-taking and actions... *sugh*
    :-)
    BB/Amanda

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  23. When it comes to flowers I love to see them in color...but maybe roses are an exception. I love the b&w of George...

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  24. In this selection I'm all for the colour version today. Another day, maybe another opinion. Who knows?

    The not-so-anonymous-Ms Soup

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  25. I think the true beauty of each flower is it's color. The art of photography allows us to appreciate them in ways we otherwise wouldn't 't see. Love your shots! Thanks for sharing!

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  26. B&W for me. Years in a photo archive will do that!

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  27. I prefer all as b/w, I would never have thought of making a flower b/w. Stunning.

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  28. I love b & w, but these color shots are my faves here;) Hope you are doing well! xoxo

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  29. I think Mother Nature is the ultimate design maven, particularly with flowers, so it takes a lot for me to opt for black and white alternatives. Now George however - well he has that look of a scene from a filme noir about him there. Moody and broody... Black and white for him. Definitely! Fabulous. :)

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  30. I'm with you on these - the flowers are gorgeous either way, but the b&w versions are so elegant. I loved the book Secret Life of Bees but haven't seen the movie. Thanks for the reminder!

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  31. I love b and w photos...but for the flowers...love the color!! Stop over and say hi.

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  32. Absolutely LOVE the "Goodbye to Summer" B/W. The flower just speaks to me in this form. Of course our handsome George looks great in any light! :)

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  33. I like both the B&W and color versions but I prefer the flowers in color. George looked great in both but I like the B&W best.

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  34. Sometimes when I want to focus on an object I love black and white...because I see the object not the color. BUT with that said, the color is gorgeous also....
    Loved the Secret Life of Bees ;-)

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  35. Have to say I love George, 'specially in color---and the morning glory, too! The blue is lovely.
    Thanks for a different movie to look for. Seems like my "musical life" has been silent lately....something about being down means less music in my life, I think. Bad choice, I know.....

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  36. I think you're right - the pictures of the flowers thought beautiful in color are more refined in the b&w. But the picture of George - I like best in color. Great songs!

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  37. They are all wonderful, but I prefer the morning glory in color. Blue is my favorite color though so it could just be that. :) Regardless of the reason, it is just stunning. Love it. :)

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  38. At first I was stumped about my preference, but then I decided I prefer the color one of George and of the zinnia. The morning glory is so dramatic in b & w and I do prefer it to the color version. I actually just read "The Secret Life of Bees" a couple years ago, so it would be cool to watch the movie now too. Very beautiful music. xoxo ~Lili

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