I set out on a sunny day to my local high street and captured the colour images and black and white images in camera. I took the images as a colour and B&W pair using the same exposure settings. The only thing that changed was the difference in time to change camera setting between colour and B&W. Framing was usually similar but significantly the subjects in the frame vary between the colour and B&W.
I had decided to capture the two different formats in camera rather than just import them in to Lightroom and make a copy to create a B&W version. I wanted to use the experience to review the image immediately after taking it using the results to influence the next image as I progressed up the high street. The attached images have not been manipulated in Lightroom and are straight out of the camera.
On completing the exercise and initially reviewing the images I felt that composition was one of the most important aspects of a successful image. More so than the colour aspect. An image will be uninspiring no matter whether colour or B&W if the subject and/or action is not well framed or composed.
The more successful B&W images were of the older buildings where texture of the bricks and structures stand out due to the contrast between the highlights and the shade. Alternatively the better colour shots were of shop fronts containing bright ‘contrasty’ colours such as the polish supermarket and clothing printing shop.
The skill in a successful colour image is to ensure that surrounding and background colours are not distracting. This can be seen with the the colour Dorothy Sayers statue images. In one there is a distracting hanging basket with orange and whit flowers. In the other it is the green job centre sign.
The ‘Prezzo’ image works in both colour and B&W as the colours are complementary and overall fairly monochromatic.
The least successful B&W images are the flat shop fronts where there are no shadows. A certain amount of manipulation in lightroom could enhance an image but in most cases seeing an image and capturing in the moment is always best.
I don’t feel that one set is stronger than the other. One thing that B&W provides is a simpler, less distracting image but is overly used by amateur and student photographers to make up for poor framing and positioning. The choice of whether to present an image as Colour or B&W should have been decided before setting out and taking the image. That choice will be determined by the project you are producing and the feelings and message you want to convey to the viewer.
Martyn Rainbird 