B&W Forum - Yes or No

[Mad Aussie]

As I said before, I'm fence sitting. I don't mind either way.

And being that I'm not the worlds best B&W photography artist it unlikely to be something I'd personally use very much.

Having said that, I do usually view B&W as being something different and somehow separate from the mainstream categories.

I'm not sure why I feel that way really however, I think it may be because I like colour. Take a landscape shot for instance, in colour, the colours are very much a part of the elements important to the photo. Take that colour out, and for me, most landscapes lose something. Which is not to say I haven't seen some very impressive B&W landscapes.

As JAS said, these days, the decision to go B&W is always a conscious decision, and usually because we are looking for something more artistic from a photo we took. It may be that the B&W aids to hide blown out areas or noise, but also to enhance some feature without the distraction that colour can bring.

I think for those reasons (and probably more) I can accept B&W as a category unto itself.
I'm also happy with how things are, but would be happy for the change as well.

[Iguanasan]

...snip...
It was just an idea. It did not even occur to me there would be a big opposition to it or any reason why there should be either actually. Ultimately, it is Marko's forum and his decision.

I didn't say that I'm opposed to the idea, I'm just trying to understand it better. If there are photographers who like to do a lot of B&W and think that they would like to have their stuff in their own forum section then I wouldn't stand in the way and as you say, ultimately, it's Marko's decision.

My confusion comes from the fact that if I took a B&W portrait I would put it in the portrait section not the B&W section so I'm wondering why a B&W section is necessary?

[kat]

In all reality..how many BW photos we get posted? LOL..I think I can safely say..I do most of them

I'm either or.

I can say that when I do BW, it's for the most part..for a certain mood for the image. Take out color from a person and I find eyes and wrinkles start to pop (if I have taken it the way I envision it). Or that green dreary landscape now becomes that dreary dark landscape. So for me..it's a concious thing. I know before I shoot..it's going BW.

So can those images be placed in a catagory on it's own. Sure..but it can go with the flow too.

[Mad Aussie]

My confusion comes from the fact that if I took a B&W portrait I would put it in the portrait section not the B&W section so I'm wondering why a B&W section is necessary?

I think you are over-thinking it Iggy. Or under-thinking it

It's not necessary. B&W's can go in the respective category that the subject within the photo allows.

However, because some feel it is a category unto it's own, it also deserves it's own category in some peoples minds and this is backed by other forums that have a separate place for them. But not all do.

Hmmmm .... perhaps a poll would help here

[Mad Aussie]

Following on from this thread http://www.photography.ca/Forums/f8/...tion-8943.html where we are discussing whether we need and/or want a separate B&W forum added, I thought a poll on the question might be interesting.

Please note: The poll results will not be a definitive indication that a B&W section will or will not be added. This is just to add another piece of info to be considered.

[Mad Aussie]

Poll is set to keep your votes private!

[Mad Aussie]

Looking fairly even really.

[Bambi]

I don't think a decision can be made with just this number of votes.

[Marko]

Hmmm - I'll basically do anything that makes sense to the members and me....and I'm not at all saying no here.

But there is also the consideration of how the forum is currently divided.

Show your photo - Landscape & Nature (flowers, mountains, storms etc.) (3 Viewing)
A place to show your photography when you don't want critiques
Sub-Forums: Animals (mammals, birds, insects etc.), People photography (portraits, sports etc.), Architecture & Man Made (cities, buildings, roads, objects & abstracts)

If we added a b/w forum would we not have to subdivide it to reflect subject matter?

Given that only 8 people said yes (and 6 no) at this time there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming desire for it....

One thing that WOULD make sense right now is to TAG every black and white show with BW.

[Marko]

I already posted in the other thread (with the poll)

anyone mind if I MERGE THREADS?

anyway like I said there....for me the only issue here is logic....and how to easily find images.

BECAUSE black and white is it's own category of photography it would only make sense to duplicate the entire show forum for black and white to cover the different subject matter. DO you agree?

Show your photo - Landscape & Nature (flowers, mountains, storms etc.) (2 Viewing)
A place to show your photography when you don't want critiques
Sub-Forums: Animals (mammals, birds, insects etc.), People photography (portraits, sports etc.), Architecture & Man Made (cities, buildings, roads, objects & abstracts)

This leads us into another area...How many categories will we need for the future to cover all eventualities?

many thx!

Marko