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When to Use Black and White Photos

Travel Tips

~Chichen Itza~

One of the things I love about photography, especially travel photography, is capturing the saturation of color in the places that we visit.  I have to admit that I am even obsessed with color and have a really hard time letting it go.  There are times though, that turning a photo from color to black and white can tell a better story, or even save lackluster photos. 

When to Use Black and White Photos          

                 

~Not enough color here to be afraid to toss it out.~

  1. When the colors are bland or monochromatic or distracting.  Color can actually ruin a picture if it is not proper placed.  Color should draw attention to your focal point.  If a photo has a distracting color element, black and white might solve the problem.  Likewise, if a photo is monochromatic due to subject matter, or maybe a bad setting, changing to black and white can be a picture saver.

~The carvings are much more pronounced in black and white.~

  1. When you want to focus on the shapes and lines.   Color can sometimes distract from the graphic elements of line and shape.  Ask yourself if the shapes and lines can tell your story without the color. 
  1. When the weather won’t cooperate.  Overcast days are the biggest weather related picture wreckers, but bright sunny days can also wreak havoc on perfect pictures.   If the weather isn’t perfect, think about black and white.

~ Temple of 1000 Columns at Chichen Itza on a sunny and shadowy day.~

  1. When the highlights and shadows are harsh.  Sunny days can be great for photography when they bring bright blue skies and puffy clouds, but certain times of day can create difficult shadows.  Rather than fighting the shadows, use them to your advantage to create dramatic photos with black and white.
  1. When you want to create a mood that is somber, dramatic, or nostalgic.  Every photo should tell a story and mood is an important part of the tale you tell.  Sometimes those stories are best told in black and white.

~Today I am linking up with Budget Travelers Sandbox and R We There Yet Mom?

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Comments

  1. Nice shots, and while I don't do much in B & W, I do like it and I agree there are times when it's probably a better choice than color. I was in Chichen Itza many years ago, and the B&W shots certainly show it off well. 

  2. I know that black and white can be very powerful but you have to have an eye for it and mine is very untrained! I think I'll have to try shooting more like this for practice. Thanks for the inspiration.  

  4. I love black and white photos! I have just been working on some photos for next weeks Sandbox and was considering whether to do them in colour or B& W. After reading your points, I think I'll try the B& W!!

  5. Great tips!  I hardly ever shoot in B&W either, but i think some of my blah photos really would come alive in B&W.  Love your photo of the temple and the clouds!

  7. Perfect examples of when b/w works better than color. I have saved many a great moment by taking out the color. And as you know, with kids we are often outdoors when the sun is doing it's worst and blowing out all highlights, etc. B/W can save the day! Plus, I just love B/W photos. Something more gritty and real about them. 

  8. Great tips, Jessica!  I've never tried experimenting with black and white but I would like to try and see how some shots turn out – particularly when the weather isn't cooperating.

  9. Very good tips — I want to experiment with B&W more. I know that I've got some pics that would have been much better in B&W because of the reasons you mention.

  10. These are really great tips!  I never seem to have time to edit my photos, mostly because Photoshop is so overwelming.  I love your photo of the columns at Temple of 1000 Columns at Chichen Itza, the black and white brings out the depth in the picture.  Love it!

  11. Very interesting! Like your shots! I rarely take pictures in black and white and don't think I ever thought about when traveling. You make good points for when it could be interesting though.

  13. This weekend I was actually going to spend some time playing with filters – and now with B&W. I never do much but appreciate what a learning tool it can be.

  14. Thanks for some great tips, Jessica!  I love colors too much to have played with black and white.  I think my kids' skin tones just aren't meant for B&W shots 🙂   Those Chichen Itza pictures are awesome.

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