4. Its more than just black and white

The intrinsic nature of black and white photographs

Sunset silhouette  Canon 1D IV. Aug 2012

When you exclude color from the photograph - you reveal the essence of the subject. You take a little away, but ask so much more from the observer. When looking at black and white, actually gray scale photos, you are not distracted by the range of spectacular colors which so often mislead us from the heart and soul of the subject. Many of the other critters which share this planet see in monochrome only. So, it’s not so unnatural as you may think it is. But let’s not get technical about all of this - as I said, I am writing this for the pleasure of sharing this journey with whoever is prepared to join me. We are, like other primates, extremely fortunate that we can “see” it this way as well as in full color. I am not frowning upon color - I have a few seriously good digital cameras which render (I love that word) the most beautiful colors ever imaginable. What I am trying to convey here is that we are extremely fortunate that we can see in so many ways. Color remains special and I shall venture there too. For now I want you to trust me a little and work with me…with a little bit of patience you may learn to really enjoy it…but you will also have to put something into it.

Matopos Nationa Park - Dassie Heaven.
Hasselblad scan.

Taking away the color from a scene forces us to really look at it. That is what I am asking you to do. Look and you shall see! We are so often immersed in a scene of great beauty because of the greatness of the color and what that does to our eyes, minds and hearts. Many photographers go to great lengths to do this for the observers of their photographs. Looking at the grey scale image asks something of us - it leaves that special something for the imagination, which so many scenes in modern photography (and especially cinema-photography) no longer ask of us. See, there is room for interpretation. Generally, when we look at a color scene, we all stop there: staring ourselves blind against the rich colors of the scene. The gray scale image is always seen differently - we focus on other aspects and we all, I am sure, interpret those aspects differently - which is what makes it so incredibly powerful as a medium to convey mood: you can interpret it any way your soul wants to.

I guess, in some ways, it is like comparing classical music and pop, the one is right there in your face - so full that it leaves very little for the mind to evaluate and recalculate, while the other leaves room for reflection. Or like comics and classical literature: both are good and enjoyable, but the one allows you, or forces you, to do some thinking and interpretation while the other doesn’t necessarily do so. So I am asking you to do more than just look, I am asking you to do some thinking and interpretation of your own.

Color images, on the other hand, rob you a little of your imagination and your freedom to choose! When “we” as photographers (and I guess in many other art forms) show you images (or figures) in “realistic” detail - devoid of any room for imagination - then we control you. We don't give, or even worse, allow you the luxury of self interpretation. I can go to the extreme and say when we do that there is a part of the artist which does not trust the observer to interpret. This includes some of the greatest works of art - and many of them in true color leave massive canvas for interpretation. Let’s consider the Mona Lisa for a moment: how many volumes have been devoted to interpreting that image?! But I am now going way beyond the intention of this post. I simply want to ask you, as an observer, to consider what is happening in your mind when you look at a grey scale image, as opposed to the full color version.

Commiphora high up in rocky outcrop. 

One of the reasons photography has become so important to me is that I can now reveal my world to you the way I see it - simply in two dimensions – and, like in my world, I have to use texture, scale and the all import shadow to create an illusion of the third dimension because it is not real…not for us monocular beings, anyway.

Therefore, stripping the image of the splendor of color that it normally emits, we are now invited to explore the more delicate details of the world around us. In the supreme color image we avoid shadows to a large extent - it often “distracts” from the scene because it hides or modifies the color - while, in the gray scale image it adds to it , it creates the mood, or character, of the image. Together with shadows, texture becomes critical: when robbed of its color, our eyes invariably explore other characteristics of the scene, our ever-hungry eyes begins to hunt for information, detail to replace the splendor of the color.

This time of the year the grass is dry, brittle and ready to burn.
Canon 1D IV

Scale is something else - how do you illustrate the size of a mountain on your screen? The human mind is again a wonderful device, made for interpreting the world around us. It allow us that wonderful faculty: interpretation. Photographers invariably use subtle, and, sometimes, not-so-subtle clues to convey the expression of size and dimension of the subject. I don't think I am particularly good at that! Yet, again, shooting more and more in black and white forces me to think about what I am doing, and, eventually, show it.

So there you have it: while I don't dislike color photography, I am inviting you to look at these images with fresh eyes allow yourself the freedom of interpretation. Use what I put in front of you to create your own “image”, feel the mood. Rather than just look, interpret and make a serious attempt to experience this place, not only on your retina, but also on that part of your brain which renders vision real. Use these images to look and see with your heart and soul. Look, then close your eyes and see again!

For those who live close-by: next time you visit Matobo, tell me if I am shooting straight enough. And for those who live far, experience it my way. After all, I trust you enough as an observer to allow you the freedom to develop your own interpretation.

Enjoy

Rocky outcrop near Matopos research station.

Top section of the same hill above.

Amazing Rocks.

Beautiful silhouette - I want to go back to this place and
photograph it in really good light.