ELEMENTS OF BLACK AND WHITE - SIMPLICITY
This is my 5th and final image for the Black and White Challenge.
It’s entitled WINTER'S ICY GRIP. Last December for two days mist and rain fell as temperatures hovered in the perfect zone for precipitation to freeze on contact, coating everything with a 3cm layer of ice. Many trees were unable to withstand the ice load but those that did were beautifully encased resembling a scene out of “Frozen.” For this image I isolated the branch by moving until the background was a simple dark colour and set the aperture to a low f-number (2.8) so that branch was in focus and the background was blurred. Check out my tip here for more on shallow depth of field.
The image worked in colour, but when I converted it to black and white the details in the ice suddenly popped. The story in this image IS the ice and the black and white version tells it best.
High impact monochrome images have a simplicity about them. The subject is clear and distracting elements are removed. Many photographers will tell you that when they shoot for black and white they purposefully look for simple subjects and isolate them in the composition. But sometimes, converting a colour image to black and white can also have the effect of simplifying. As is the case with my image.
Participating in this challenge has taught much more than just the technical process of making a monochrome image. I’ve enjoyed how the challenge has impacted my thoughts on creativity, making art and photography. I now know that:
making art and posting every day takes discipline and commitment
doing something completely different from what you normally do can boost your creativity across the board
good black and white images are not made from poor colour images
the elements of contrast, texture, pattern and simplicity play a key role in producing high impact mono images
the elements of good art are the same as for good photography (not sure why this is such a surprise)
Have a wonderful week my friends - may you find your own challenges are ones that inspire.
INSPIRATION THIS WEEK:
6 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR MONOCHROME ENTHUSIASTS
I found this article by Jeff Meyer after I had completed my challenge. He offers tips for both in the field and at the desk.THE CREATIVE LIFE
this beautiful monochrome mini film from Shawn Blanc is worth a watch. So many of his thoughts align with my own!