The Absence of Color

I’m a big fan of black and white photography. Perhaps it’s the poignancy that captivates me. Or maybe the nostalgia factor. Whatever the reason, there is something about the absence of color that draws me in.

My tendency towards the monochromatic runs deeper than just photography and is often visible in my wardrobe choices as well as my dinner plate. I have a habit of wearing tan and tan and this uncanny way of cooking up (literally) an entire meal of one solitary hue. Despite what my husband might say, it’s totally unplanned. But, there’s got to be something to it, right? I only ask because I often find myself shooting photographs in much of the same way. There’s something compelling about capturing a color image that is washed so completely in a single shade, that you might question whether it is a color shot at all.

Is it just me or you ever find yourself curiously looking at a monochromatic palette through your viewfinder?  Care to share?

Comments

[Flash Forward]

http://outloud.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/monochromatic/

[alli]

I removed color from this picture and it really allowed me to focus in on my two subjects.

http://picturebook.chattablogs.com/archives/066719.html

[carrie]

Here are my attempts at the absence of color:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/read2me/1238970423/in/set-72157601266324189/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/read2me/1032587896/in/set-72157601266324189/

[Stephanie]

Funny that this is today's post because I was just thinking that I either desaturate my color until there is barely any left or I saturate the heck out of it until it looks like it is from a cartoon...http://slsmithphotgraphy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/02/dont-blink.html

[Emily]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilymichelle/2093505462/

[jen lemen]

i love this idea, tracey, and think it's a sign of a serious photographer when you can pull it off like this pic above. so. so. beautiful.

[Jen]

I love this photo, Tracey. It's so beautiful. And, yes, I comtinually find myself drawn to black and white images!

[Joanne]

i love your photo. there is so much texture & is like it is full of color.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joannerim/1056927518/

[Cotterpin]

I guess 14 inches of snow will do that to you!

http://cotterpinhouse.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/white-on-white-on-white/

[Angella]

These are two of my favourites. In colour, they were...meh.

I removed the colour and will never tire of them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourcrazylife/1470579047/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourcrazylife/1632969490/

[simply]

http://simplytaken.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/glass.jpg

thirsty?

~simply~

[Shama-Lama Mama]

I removed the color from this picture of a tiny zen garden. In color it was just bleah... but it really gave it something special to be monochromatic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shama-lama_mama/2258958214/

[Elspeth]

Great shot. Looking at your shot makes me feel that monochrome helps to emphasise texture, giving a more 3D feel.

[Lucy]

Black & white and monochromatic photos have always caught my eye. I'm forever working on capturing that perfect image. My most recent attempts:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2267312684/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/2266512677/

Wonderful shots by all!

[maile]

I agree, this is beautiful Tracey.

[O]

Love that photo you posted! And, I love b&w photos. They're timeless, no matter what the subject is; they can be exhibited anywhere, and desaturating to b&w simplifies otherwise busy photos. I'll post again later when I've found a favorite monochromatic and/or b&w photo to share :) I'm enjoying what everyone has posted so far.

[corey]

Beautiful images, everyone! So inspiring...I'm going to look for more monochromatic photo opportunities when I'm shooting in the future.

Mine is a color photo, but it was such a gray, snowy day, it almost looks black and white.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/giggletwig/2267401102/

[Angie Seaman]

Great shot and a great post. I am such a sucker for black and white as well as sepia photos. Awesome work!
Blessings, Angie Seaman
www.angelicagracedesigns.com/blog/
www.angelicagracedesigns.com

[Liz]

I love monochrome as well. The textures, the lines, the luscious shadows. I shot B+W film almost exclusively for 3 years - it was the best lesson in composition.

http://liz-grandmaison.smugmug.com/gallery/2550271_Go5bK#134111178_hrpXD-L-LB

[Angela]

I love pictures like that...I too have to admit to desaturating a little much some times. This picture is my sister in law...one of the most beautiful pregnant people I know!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ang_loves_jesus/498167234/

[Melissa Anne Morelli]

I agree with the overall love for black and whites or monochromatic images. It really makes the passion in the photos stand out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23520407@N06/2266689671/

[Shanna]

I love color but I also love black and white. I think I need to stretch myself and see about shooting something in a more monochromatic frame of mind. Anyway I did have this photo taken in May 2006 that I really like.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/just_so/2267519828/

[PixieDust]

All of these entries are beautiful! Here's my attempt:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22680463@N05/2266785355/

Have a wonderful weekend!

:-)

[leslie]

Quite honestly I don't do it very often but you've inspired me with your beautiful shot to pay more attention to the monochromatic. Having said that I do have a photo that fits the 'challenge' of which I am proud:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesophiephoto/413787121

Thanks for the inspiration Tracey.
I will carry it forth into my weekend. :)

[Leah]

I tend to look for color, but I was testing out my new camera today and I realized that I got a fairly monochromatic picture without really realizing it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakeline/2266831273/

[camerashymomma]

yes, i think it leaves much to the imagination. i love this photo of yours tracey. small details like this can mean so many different things to each person who sees it. some may see a wedding, some may see spring, others see art. i've just started experimenting with black and white and i'm really liking how it draws out textures and depths that color photography lack.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2259862708/

[LLD]

That is a really beautiful shot!
I took mine last night, we received HOURS of freezing rain on Wednesday after a dumping of 10-15 cm: http://www.whatitdonb.blogspot.com

[Kathleen]

Here's my little friend at the beach, and loving every minute. I love how his clothing blends in with the surroundings.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2256035891/

I also love black and white - this one has such cool background shading because they were sitting in front of a corner.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2256839452/

[melody]

Breathtakingly beautiful, Tracey. I love mono.

Here is a shot where cat and dirt blended quite nicely...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melsphotophun/389944125/sizes/m/

[pooky]

Abandoned building.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowpooky/2269648741/

[Cocoa]

Since I live in what we call "Beige Country" (the deserts of Nevada) I find that many of my outdoor photos can be rather monochromatic. Here's one of my son trying to help pitch hay to the horses.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7914841@N08/2279470015/in/pool-shuttersisters