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Posted on by Debbie

It’s not always black and white #SundayStills

Does everything in life have to be black and white?

I’m someone who loves colour in my life, so shooting in black and white isn’t something I generally do unless it’s for a photo challenge, like #sundaystills this week. Challenges are just that – a challenge, so I can’t shirk it!

Add even then I couldn’t resist adding in a photo or two with a pop of colour!

Like this one.

Light at the end of the tunnel?
Light at the end of the tunnel?

Some black and white photos I’ve used in my blog over the years:

black and white solar light
Turning Torso in Malmo

My thoughts on black and white

I’m not a ‘real’ photographer like many of those who blog, but I do like using my own photos wherever possible.

I enjoy snapping shots that appeal to me, either on my iPhone or on my Olympus camera ( a generous 60th birthday gift from my sister and brother-in-law, who are ‘real’ photographers). I think this makes me a certain ‘type’ of photographer, I do know what I like and I try to capture what appeals to me.

Having said that I do like a challenge!

Self portrait
A stormy black sky
black and white shed
Sunroom on a cold morning

I enjoy the texture of black and white photos, the drama they can create, maybe due to the fact that colour has been removed, as it can be a distraction for some.

Black and white photos also have a certain edginess about them and are great for street photography and portraits.

My sister provided me with her thoughts on black and white photography and as usual she says it perfectly:

Black and white photography presents an abstracted version of reality. In the absence of colour, other elements become important – tone, form, line, contrast – and it allows us to see differently.

Sharon Pittaway (my sister, who is a real photographer)
black and white tiles
black and white tiles and yellow shoes – I couldn’t help myself 🙂

Thanks to Terri for the opportunity to move outside my comfort zone (again) and allowing me to share some of my favourite black and white photos. I look forward to seeing what others have shared this week. Terri’s post is here – Your Best Black and White photos – so have a look at her shots and maybe some of the others who have left their links in the comments.

Situations are rarely black or white; the truth lies somewhere in-between.

Frank Sonnenberg

Spring green is next week’s prompt and as we are entering autumn down here, it will be fun to see how those on the other side of the world are welcoming spring colour into their lives.

Do you enjoy black and white photography – either taking it or looking at it?

To my mind there are no black and white situations – it’s all part of life.

Debbie 🙂

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Everyone has a story to tell!

Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here

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40 Replies to “It’s not always black and white #SundayStills”

  1. Pingback: Getting High in Black and White – Bird Weekly Photo Challenge #40 – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
  2. Pingback: Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Spring #Green – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

  3. I have done very little in black and white but I can see that being pushed out of one’s comfort zone creates this beauty, also I love the new header on your blog. Who did the drawing of your family?

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  5. Well I too love colour in my life although I also love the shapes, textures and forms that can be revealed with the use of black and white. I really like your selection of photos here. And yes I can definitely see that colourful side of you in your BOLD selection.

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  6. I would not be so hard on yourself, Deb. It’s like being a writer. You are one if you start saying you are. There are shades of photographers just as there are shades of colors. I love your tunnel with the perfect color at the end. That’s how I want life to be anyway. Get through the dark tunnel and emerge into brilliant color that you wonder if it had been there around you all the time.

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  9. Lovely photos! Sometimes making a photo black and white can add intensity when there is a large contrast between the light and the dark, but I do love your photos that have a pop of colour in them, especially the one of the tunnel!

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  10. Pingback: #CBWC #Sunday Stills: What’s in Our Italian-American Kitchen? – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  13. Your title is immediately intriguing, Deb. A multi-layered concept, although, black and white is thought to be clear cut. I believe I am in your category of a photographer……I don’t consider myself a photographer, yet I take thousands of photos a year and sometimes get lucky. Your photos are amazing and interesting, Deb. Your sister, a wise woman.xx

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    1. You are a fabulous photographer Erica but I know exactly what you mean by your comment. Getting lucky is how I feel when something works out well! Yes my sister is a wise one indeed and always very helpful. Thanks for your lovely words x

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  15. Yep, some fab photos in B&W, Debbie! Not bad for a fake photographer, LOL. I believe “we” collectively are writers and photographers regardless of what is considered professional. Many of us bloggers have made $$ on our writing and several photobloggers have sold their prints. Your images are as professional as I’ve seen and I see why your family gifted you with that camera. Love those little pops of color. B&W photography can have that as well as a faded color effect, or sepia tones and still be B&W. Well done, my friend!

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  17. Pingback: Six Favourite Photographs: #SundayStills Black & White Edition – Retirement Reflections

  18. Hi, Deb – Susanne said it perfectly. A ‘real’ photographer shoots with intent and thought and cares about creating something beautiful/meaningful. S/he also practices, practices, practices and challenges his/herself to try new things. This is you exactly! A ‘real’ photographer finds his/her true style. Bold colour is you. That being said, I love your black and white photos and the drama that you have created. I especially love the B & Ws with a pop of colour —- definitely you!

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    1. Thanks Donna, I can see what you mean and you sum up the role of photographer perfectly, although I’m still not sure I embody that just yet. I’m trying and continually learning which is a good start! Yes I agree with you, the pop of colour suits me well!

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  19. I enjoyed seeing your photos and reading your thoughts on B&W photography. It’s something I’m starting to do a little more of these days. I love your sunflower bud photo – the light is perfect!

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  20. I think I actually like the pop of colour in the photos – black and white is very ephemeral and the little splash of colour grounds it. I think you don’t give yourself enough credit for how good your photography has become!

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  21. That picture of a spiky flower with blue-ish tint is wonderful! As I see it, a real photographer is one who shoots with intent and thought behind the image, and cares about creating something beautiful. When I see your photos that’s what I see and it doesn’t matter what you use to create your photos. The camera doesn’t make the photographer (but it certainly helps). Olympus are lovely cameras, I use one of their compact, mirrorless system cameras.

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    1. Thanks for those lovely words of encouragement Susanne. I like that it doesn’t matter what you use to create the photos too. I love using my Olympus camera as the images are very clear and vivid but the phone camera does a pretty good job these days. My camera is a compact mirrorless one too. The spiky photo you mention is a sunflower bud not a thistle as previously stated, although one of the shots is a thistle.

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  22. I think you are very clever doing some B&W & adding colour touches! So true about lines & details. I have had to be mindful of my B&W thinking because that gets me into trouble at times! Denyse

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    1. Thanks Denyse, the editing app I use is so much fun to play around with, which is how I get the pop of colour into these ones. I understand the black and white thinking believe me!

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