Black and White versus Color

[schillster1]

I would like to know your opinion(s) on this thought.  I just posted on one of the other threads that I thought that B&W photos show off better definition than color ones at times.  What do you all think about b&w over color photos. 

[pumpfiction]

If the photographer is experienced enough and display mastery of the art of B&W then the result is sublime. See Reg Bradford for a perfect example.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

[Timmon]

I have always felt the B&W shows more definition, possibly because the brain has less information to process, but maybe because the colour defuses the sharp lines, with B&W there is less diffusion.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Going back to the 80's, the camera definition was poorer, B&W was the most cost effective way to shoot lots of pics and to print them, so pics were in B&W as the norm, colour was rarer, or restricted to the more expensive mags. With the onset of colour becoming the norm, we had to wait for HD before definition returned to pics, in my opinion.

Here are a few comparisons from 2010 in colour and black and white, I can see more definition in the B&W pics. I personally think a mix of black and white and colour in coverage works, but if colour were dropped altogether, I don't think we would lose much. A bit like watching an old B&W movie, after a few minutes, you don't notice the difference.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login   
 You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Having said that, many mags produced large images as part of the coverage of some athletes. If you look at the older mags, some of the best colour pics ever were produced , were in the early 90's mags, before HD. Fewer images than today's web based coverage, but a case of less is more.

[Toroko]

Sometimes BW really looks better then color, but you can always make BW from color ones with a few clicks. That is why color photos are always better.

[deerfott]

Color is the best

I agree. Colour is best.

This is my view as well.

[bobsaget]

It all depends on the photographer and the subject. If you know what you are doing and your composition is good then the results are magic. A talented shot knows about light and framing and they make it look easy. Bringing the best out of the human form is no easy feat colour or BW

[schillster1]

It all depends on the photographer and the subject. If you know what you are doing and your composition is good then the results are magic. A talented shot knows about light and framing and they make it look easy. Bringing the best out of the human form is no easy feat colour or BW

Since I started this thread, I've been reading the answers that all who chimed in have given, but, I think this one is actually right.      

[txduggan]

It all depends on the photographer and the subject. If you know what you are doing and your composition is good then the results are magic. A talented shot knows about light and framing and they make it look easy. Bringing the best out of the human form is no easy feat colour or BW

Since I started this thread, I've been reading the answers that all who chimed in have given, but, I think this one is actually right.      

I'm a professional photographer, and bobsaget hit all the basic points...

There is no good or bad...it is what you want to accomplish with the composition; and that includes subject, scene and light...

Just some random thoughts...an off-season FBB will most likely not show as much contrast in a B&W composition as a incredibly
cut FBB. 

If the stage has too many colors or patterns, the transition to B&W could get sloppy...

Harsh or "flat" light most likely won't do much to create a moody image...

Now notice that I did not speak in absolutes...every rule in photography is MADE to be broken

For those in my age range and have film experience, TRI-X was some really fun B&W film to shoot and develop;
Ilford XP2 400 was a really close 2nd

-Tom D