The Switcheroo

I will admit that before the whole digital thing took over our lives, I was a huge photo snob. Well, no, that's not really true. But there were some things that I would never do and would never advocate. Like taking a color photo and "switching" it to black and white. No way. Never did it. I was snobby about it. "If you want a black and white photo, you shoot black and white film," that's what I would say. Besides, back in the olden days, printing a color negative on black and white film looked, um, well, muddy or flat. In other words, like crap. So, it simply wasn't done.

And now? Oh heck, anything goes now. I got all sucked into this digital thing and now I'm just letting it call the shots ( I am so full of photo puns, I scare myself). I won't claim that all photos are saved by switching them from color to black and white. It just isn't true. A good image is a good image in black and white or color BUT...if there are things about the color shot that are unsightly (like a rash) or distracting (like hideously mismatched clothing-we've all been there) then, give it a try. You might need to pump up the contrast* a bit to make it less "flat" and give it a little more punch but chances are it'll be an improvement. And you can always switch it over then crop a bit, just forI will admit that before the whole digital thing took over our lives, I was a huge photo snob. Well, no, that's not really true. But there were some things that I would never do and would never advocate. Like taking a color photo and "switching" it to black and white. No way. Never did it. I was snobby about it. "If you want a black and white photo, you shoot black and white film," that's what I would say. Besides, back in the olden days, printing a color negative on black and white film looked, um, well, muddy or flat. In other words, like crap. So, it simply wasn't done. And now? Oh heck, anything goes now. I got all sucked into this digital thing and now I'm just letting it call the shots ( I am so full of photo puns, I scare myself). I won't claim that all photos are saved by switching them from color to black and white. It just isn't true. A good image is a good image in black and white or color BUT...if there are things about the color shot that are unsightly (like a fun and see what you get. You never know. Just a thought.

And tomorrow I'll touch on the *little things you can do (using simple photo editing software) to improve your pix. If you've got a digi point and shoot, you might want to check it out. It's going to be helpful ( I hope).

AND, AND, AND...off the subject (TOTALLY)...I have to ask you to do this...I just have to. See, I want one of these lensbabies really reeeally bad. So, if you'd be so kind as to vote for me at jpg magazine, um, well, I'd very much appreciate it. I would. Really. For goodness sakes, the category is called "Embrace the Blur"! That's like, one of my mottos. So, it only seems fair, doesn't it? And there was no funny digital business going on here. No tweaking. What you see is exactly what the camera recorded. Yes, it's me, in case you wondered. OK then, thanks. And while you're at it, submit something. I know you've got some blur images. I've seen them myself! So, go. Go!

Comments

[Alissa]

I voted you a 'yeah'. I also had already submitted this photo:

http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/10148

[Stacy]

I am a big b&w switcher. It has saved many a photo where the kids are wearing conflicting colors or there is a color cast that I can't otherwise fix to look normal. I do a conversion in Photoshop, and yes, you MUST add contrast or it looks flat and blah.

Nice blur picture, too! Were you dancing while you were taking that picture? :)

[Michelle]

We are going to play in the snow this weekend and I thought I may be able to get the "shot" for my Christmas cards but I worried about the girl's clothes clashing. I think I am going to try the B&W thing with a defining word and see how they turn out. :)

[mrscrumley]

I voted for you!

I have only tried the B&W thing a few times. And now that my camera (Canon S3) has a B&W setting, I might try it more.

[Sarah]

I submitted a photo to JPEG's tourist category! See it here:

[Sarah]

oops. that didn't work. try this:
http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/22792

[Sarah]

I put one in under "Embracing the blur" also
http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/22795