Great column. I appreciate color, but black and white feels richer to me, more imaginative, and more provocative. I continue to strive to be a better photographer and B&W is my treatment of choice.
.. always a treat visiting ! Always ! Were times of ‘so little money’ that B & W ‘for later development & contact prints’ was all one could muster.. haha.. some gems in those rolls were & remain like buried treasure.. finally seen later !
Wonderful read! Couldn't agree more! How incredible to have that experience in fashion photography under your belt! Have a beautiful Easter weekend Rene ✨
I've been thinking. If schools really invested a lot more time promoting the arts for children, we could have a society so enlightened we wouldn't even recognize it.
They used to. I was in high school in the 70's and learned poetry, ceramics, so many offerings. It's sad that for many years it's been missing, just like automotive and wood-shop. It's resorted to Art Charters and STEM schools that are lotto based and cost 💲- There are a few public high schools still teaching photography and art. I have spoken at one for a few years on career day. But it's rare.
It should be as important as sports. We're all made so different. I think most schools have music & some theater.
I believe it's Japan where they really got it. They know children are the future, so they invest in them, heart and soul. I can't think of a waste more profound than neglecting your children's education (in this case, art assimilation). I just can't.
💯 agree! You're right about Japan! Beautiful country, amazingly creative people! Art is such a gift to learn about! It teaches meditation, patience, discipline, soooo many good qualities!
I love b&w photography; I am only an amateur photographer who used to shoot in the 1990s with a 35mm film camera. I also took a darkroom course where I learned the magic of film development. I find that there is more detail with b&w photography.
But it of course depends on the film used, the lighting and the ability of the photography. I remember walking around the city with a friend. We took the same photos; his were much better. He had the eye.
I am old enough to have known some crusty old farts, when I was young, who insisted that "color photos aren't REAL photography." I disagree - art is done in any number of media - but I always respected them.
When I was a kid, Ray Atkeson was the "photographer laureate" of my home state of Oregon. He was famous. I got to shake his hand one day at a photographer's convention.
I didn't wash it for a week.
His presentation at that convention was of his monochrome work: something the public never saw.
There are a few monochrome works in the archives of my Substack. The one of which I am the most proud will be appearing some time next year, in which I channeled my inner Ansel Adams on a visit to a place he had photographed decades earlier.
Yeah. Now that I think about it, there's little in the field of photography that I haven't tried. I started with still life just to get my bearings, then I went to cover the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, then Vietnam. Barely survived that mess and two years later I was shooting B&W portraits. Can't complain, life gave me breaks that I didn't deserve. I was one of the lucky ones.
I’m not sure you never deserved it; my mind frame is that IT WAS MEANT TO BE or it’d never happened! The fact is, you were willing to cover Cambodia; so even BARELY surviving PROVED you were ready for better things, and in the right place!
At least the nightmares are a thing of the past. I never thought it was possible to dream like that until it happened to me. But you're right. Maybe I was spared for a reason. All I can say is, it better be a good one!
Everything you say about B&W is true. But it forces the question, are there times when color would do a better job? A picture of a sunset comes to mind but that's all I can think of. Anyway, some nice work here!
Yes, indeed. Although sunsets taken in B&W could be breathtaking. I suppose the artistic feeling is more prevalent in a black and white photograph. The magic is present in both, though. It's up to the photographer how great a picture could be. Thank you for commenting!
Love black and white, no distractions. One of the best photos I’ve ever taken was black and white. It was of my brother standing on an old wooden stool splashed with paint and bits of rust, in Capezio’s from the knee down. I still love it.
I appreciate your appreciation of BW photography. My art school and early career was full of BW studio work, street snaps, architecture and making prints in commercial darkrooms. Negatives from 35mm to 11x14 in size. Adams, Cartier-Bresson, Kertesz, Strand, White, and fashion masters like Avedon, Penn and Weber were my heroes. You’re as fluent with words as you are with the lens. Thank you for your inspiration. - Seb
Great column. I appreciate color, but black and white feels richer to me, more imaginative, and more provocative. I continue to strive to be a better photographer and B&W is my treatment of choice.
I recommend you print your own prints. It's so much fun! (Gotta put the hours, though)
I remember being with my dad in a darkroom in the newspaper he worked for... magical.
I have no ability for such a place in my current life, but a goal worth pursuing for sure!!
Thank you for the restack, Diane! 🌱
So right, B&W photos have this unique quality of reflecting a bit of mystery.
B&W certainly is my favourite
.. always a treat visiting ! Always ! Were times of ‘so little money’ that B & W ‘for later development & contact prints’ was all one could muster.. haha.. some gems in those rolls were & remain like buried treasure.. finally seen later !
Funny you would say that. I sold prints to waiters in Paris. Check my Notes page in a few if you want to learn the story. It's a good one. :)
Lovely works.
Wonderful read! Couldn't agree more! How incredible to have that experience in fashion photography under your belt! Have a beautiful Easter weekend Rene ✨
Absolutely! It was some experience! Thank you, Deborah! Here's to a great Easter. Enjoy! xo🌹
Thank you Rene! Our experiences with photography are deep gifts! I feel this and love to read stories of deep connections to our art and blessings. ox
I've been thinking. If schools really invested a lot more time promoting the arts for children, we could have a society so enlightened we wouldn't even recognize it.
They used to. I was in high school in the 70's and learned poetry, ceramics, so many offerings. It's sad that for many years it's been missing, just like automotive and wood-shop. It's resorted to Art Charters and STEM schools that are lotto based and cost 💲- There are a few public high schools still teaching photography and art. I have spoken at one for a few years on career day. But it's rare.
It should be as important as sports. We're all made so different. I think most schools have music & some theater.
I believe it's Japan where they really got it. They know children are the future, so they invest in them, heart and soul. I can't think of a waste more profound than neglecting your children's education (in this case, art assimilation). I just can't.
💯 agree! You're right about Japan! Beautiful country, amazingly creative people! Art is such a gift to learn about! It teaches meditation, patience, discipline, soooo many good qualities!
Excellent story with captivating photos! Thank you for sharing.
I love b&w photography; I am only an amateur photographer who used to shoot in the 1990s with a 35mm film camera. I also took a darkroom course where I learned the magic of film development. I find that there is more detail with b&w photography.
But it of course depends on the film used, the lighting and the ability of the photography. I remember walking around the city with a friend. We took the same photos; his were much better. He had the eye.
As you do. Your photos are superb.
I think those of us who were art students had the same darkroom experience! It helped me a lot!!
Try standing in it for 11 hours and tell me about it. LOL 😂
I’ll trust you; but Instructors easily got the wrong idea! 😂
I love your model, and B&W does her justice. Truly beautiful You are gifted, you lucky man.
Thank you so much for your kind comment. Yes, my love for B&W in photography is already well established and my "trademark".
Hi Rene, Who is the model, Im not a stalker or anything, I am 62 just seperated from a bad marriage and Im a bit lonely.
After 35 years, I really don't keep track, sorry. :)
I am old enough to have known some crusty old farts, when I was young, who insisted that "color photos aren't REAL photography." I disagree - art is done in any number of media - but I always respected them.
When I was a kid, Ray Atkeson was the "photographer laureate" of my home state of Oregon. He was famous. I got to shake his hand one day at a photographer's convention.
I didn't wash it for a week.
His presentation at that convention was of his monochrome work: something the public never saw.
There are a few monochrome works in the archives of my Substack. The one of which I am the most proud will be appearing some time next year, in which I channeled my inner Ansel Adams on a visit to a place he had photographed decades earlier.
🤯 I’m already ecstatic with what I’ve seen…There’s nothing like b&w. My favorite artist’s work is best like this.
I’d love to see more (singing) “more more with a Rebel yell she cried, more; more; more.” Hahahaha
Thank you, my friend ! 🙏🏻 💗
Yeah. Now that I think about it, there's little in the field of photography that I haven't tried. I started with still life just to get my bearings, then I went to cover the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, then Vietnam. Barely survived that mess and two years later I was shooting B&W portraits. Can't complain, life gave me breaks that I didn't deserve. I was one of the lucky ones.
I’m not sure you never deserved it; my mind frame is that IT WAS MEANT TO BE or it’d never happened! The fact is, you were willing to cover Cambodia; so even BARELY surviving PROVED you were ready for better things, and in the right place!
At least the nightmares are a thing of the past. I never thought it was possible to dream like that until it happened to me. But you're right. Maybe I was spared for a reason. All I can say is, it better be a good one!
🥰 I’m sure it is!!! You’re STILL not done, creating.
I sure hope not. 🤞 Thank you for your confidence! ❤️
+ I’m so glad the nightmares are OVER! That has to be a huge relief for you.
✌️ Have a great day; we’re cooking a Big Easter lunch here.
B&W photos. B&W movies. Pure art
Yes, a hundred times better than the commercial crap they put out there.
Everything you say about B&W is true. But it forces the question, are there times when color would do a better job? A picture of a sunset comes to mind but that's all I can think of. Anyway, some nice work here!
Yes, indeed. Although sunsets taken in B&W could be breathtaking. I suppose the artistic feeling is more prevalent in a black and white photograph. The magic is present in both, though. It's up to the photographer how great a picture could be. Thank you for commenting!
Love black and white, no distractions. One of the best photos I’ve ever taken was black and white. It was of my brother standing on an old wooden stool splashed with paint and bits of rust, in Capezio’s from the knee down. I still love it.
And I’m glad I found your Substack, love it
🎬 🦓
Thank you, Lulu! x
I appreciate your appreciation of BW photography. My art school and early career was full of BW studio work, street snaps, architecture and making prints in commercial darkrooms. Negatives from 35mm to 11x14 in size. Adams, Cartier-Bresson, Kertesz, Strand, White, and fashion masters like Avedon, Penn and Weber were my heroes. You’re as fluent with words as you are with the lens. Thank you for your inspiration. - Seb