Thanks, I assume you're asking about the final photo? That's at Bugis+.
Singapore in Black and White
- Thread starter rh89
- Start date
Thanks, I assume you're asking about the final photo? That's at Bugis+.
FastBlueSnail
New Member
First photo is amazing. Beautiful work. Keep it coming. :thumbsup:
Kit
Senior Member
By taking colours away from the photos, you can only rely on tones to create that 3-dimensional quality in your photos. However, increasing the tonal range (with HDR I presume) will result in flat looking photos with very little depth in them. I would rather study the scene in greater detail and make use of the available shadows, mid tones and highlights rather than trying to get every single tone represented in the photo. Some of these photos, if presented in colours, would have been labelled as over processed. The Tanjong Rhu photo for example, with reflection brighter than actual scene is a hallmark of over processing. Good B&W photos are seldom a mere conversion from the colour version. You have to design the photo with B&W in mind.
I think I understand where you're coming from, and I thought that I should clarify a few things. Although I normally shoot in colour, the photos here were shot specifically for black and white, and are not afterthoughts. I'm also not really partial to the HDR "look", and don't use it in my work. I agree that good black and white is not a straight conversion from colour - in fact, I personally feel that black and white and colour are very different creatures, and as such deserve different treatments, before, during and after a shot. What works in black and white may not necessarily work in colour, and vice versa as well. Perhaps that is where I might be misunderstanding you - you say that some of the photographs here if in colour would be overprocessed, implying that what should work in black and white should work in colour as well, but then you appear to contradict yourself when you go on to say that good black and white isn't just a conversion from colour.
As for the Tanjong Rhu photograph, the reflection is actually original, and the brightness is the way it was shot. Again, I understand where you're coming from regarding that aspect of post processing, but I think there is also an element of artistic licence in deciding how photographs should and should not be presented. Ultimately, many choices in photography are a matter of perspective and personal preference.
Kit
Senior Member
I'm saying that some of the photos were over toned, which could be a flop in both colour and B&W. That does not necessarily mean that a good B&W will look good in colour or vice versa. I have not contradicted myself.
Kit, I appreciate the clarification. I guess my point was that if black and white and colour photographs cannot really be compared, then why are you comparing them? Regarding tone, I maintain that that is a matter of personal preference. It's nice that you're concerned about my photographs, and I have taken note of what you've said. At the same time however, I would like to again stress that photography, like all art, inherently has a high element of subjectivity. I understand that you may have preferences that are different from mine, but I still respect your point-of-view and your work, and I would like to request that you do the same. Have a nice weekend
Kit
Senior Member
Kit, I appreciate the clarification. I guess my point was that if black and white and colour photographs cannot really be compared, then why are you comparing them? Regarding tone, I maintain that that is a matter of personal preference. It's nice that you're concerned about my photographs, and I have taken note of what you've said. At the same time however, I would like to again stress that photography, like all art, inherently has a high element of subjectivity. I understand that you may have preferences that are different from mine, but I still respect your point-of-view and your work, and I would like to request that you do the same. Have a nice weekend
It is evident that you cannot accept critiques. You think that people who offer critique to your work are being disrespectful. I'll leave you at that.
Sorry that you feel this way, but in what way was I unreceptive? I did not dismiss your critique, I merely disagreed with it. I'm really sorry that you're not receptive to other points of view different from your own. If you would like me to explain my perspective more, I'll be happy to do so via PM.
MGohzxc
Senior Member
A photo speaks a thousand words... so there will be different C&C as well as opinions. Most of the time, C&C are often based on the "usuals" but very often forgotten the "artistic elements" and perhaps rule it as some sort of "wrong doing". One who does not go to the extreme (experimenting) will not realize the artistic vision or elements of that person photo. To have a good or full tonal range in a photo, why not? Looking into TS photos, it is unlikely to be HDR and this is because of such long exposure and really makes no sense in creating HDR. In this genre of architectural photography (b&w), determining visions and artistic elements are very important for the final processing and results. - Just sharing my thoughts.....
Nitpick- Most of the sky could be less cloud movements as it distracts the main elements or subject. (can do this in the final process). Much prefer to be in square crop.
Just my own opinion
Great job...
Nitpick- Most of the sky could be less cloud movements as it distracts the main elements or subject. (can do this in the final process). Much prefer to be in square crop.
Just my own opinion
Great job...
A photo speaks a thousand words... so there will be different C&C as well as opinions. Most of the time, C&C are often based on the "usuals" but very often forgotten the "artistic elements" and perhaps rule it as some sort of "wrong doing". One who does not go to the extreme (experimenting) will not realize the artistic vision or elements of that person photo. To have a good or full tonal range in a photo, why not? Looking into TS photos, it is unlikely to be HDR and this is because of such long exposure and really makes no sense in creating HDR. In this genre of architectural photography (b&w), determining visions and artistic elements are very important for the final processing and results. - Just sharing my thoughts.....
Nitpick- Most of the sky could be less cloud movements as it distracts the main elements or subject. (can do this in the final process). Much prefer to be in square crop.
Just my own opinion
Great job...
I get what you mean about the sky, and sometimes it sort of distracts from the picture. I suppose simpler compositions would probably require more dramatic skies, while more complex ones require simpler skies. I'll have to play around with that more. I too am of the opinion that a square crop somehow has a greater appeal for this sort of photograph, and am trying to work towards "seeing" that way!
Thanks for the feedback and your opinions, I really appreciate it
I would say that besides the cloud movements, the somewhat surreal quality of light would also be attributed to the long exposure, as the light does change during the exposure. As for that "metallic" look - I'd say it's down to the way I'm converting my black and white images, and I'd actually very much like to achieve an even more metallic look if possible. These photographs here are far from accurate representations of reality, and I would say that they do contain my vision and what I want it to be.
Thanks, could you maybe let me know which ones you think are a little off?
