When I think of taking a black & white photo, I usually start looking for shadows or interesting architectural elements to capture. In my mind, I don't see nature shots in B&W, although I think they can be stunning when other photographers take them and would love to learn to see B&W opportunities better myself. Since today was Black White Wednesday (BWW) I decided it was a good day to not only take a b&w shot, but to challenge myself to find new B&W subject matter. I settled on this iris with its cream colored petals tipped in dark purple. The petals offered contrast as did the light hitting it and the darker background. I'm pleased with the result.
Thank you all for your wonderful comments and favs to my "Side by Side" photo yesterday. It landed on the PP today which is always thrilling. Your feedback and support is always so rewarding and motivating to me so thank you for taking the time to visit and share your thoughts!
BWW - I know some of you joined me in BWW. I am off to check out your amazing shots. Thank you for participating! Same day, same tag next week!
Definitely fav for me! Just like you, I rarely think of b&w when shooting nature... But I'm trying to change that, as b&w sometimes really works great! This is a great example! I love the texture in the petals, and like the processing (the toning is absolutely amazing)!
I actually think flowers work really well in B&W - it brings out their structure and delicacy. This is lovely with the light shining through it. Thanks for setting up BWW - I'm enjoying have to think black and white once a week!
I dont think of flowers for black and white either but it does work because it highlights their form I think, rather than the colour. This is great, I like the light shining through the petals too.
I love this! I think I'll make more of an effort to shoot flowers in B+W, although it goes against the grain, doesn't it? We're drawn to flowers because of their colour, but seeing them in B+W brings out all the subtleties.
I love this image. I took some yesterday as well, but they did not turn out as well as yours. This image has inspired me to go back and try again! Great shot for BWW!!!
I agree that flowers are not a "normal" subject for B&W, and one with lots of forms and contrasts works the best, like this one. Back in the darkroom days, some manipulation of tones could be done with paper selection. This would have been a "warm" toned B&W, with just a hint of pale brown.
Oooh this is gorgeous in B&W. I agree, I don't often think of flowers as monochrome subjects but it emphasises their beauty in other ways. Beautifully shot.
I like your thinking, if I have b&w film in I'm always looking for strong shadows etc. these do look gorgeous like this, lovely to concentrate on the textures rather than the colour
Great contrasts.