February 1st is about to arrive so let’s take a look at the month and see where it’s going with black and white as our genre. This year, due to a job which takes a lot of emotional and mental energy, I decided to simplify a bit. Instead of giving you a technique to conquer in black and white each week, I’m giving you a subject. I’ll add a little instructional input with some articles to read on the web if you so choose, but the research will be up to you. Here’s the subject layout week by week:
February 1-5: Circles (Feature circles in your photo in whatever fashion you choose).
February 6-12: Found Objects (More on this next week).
February 13-19: Still Life (Planned or unplanned).
February 14/15: Flash of Red- you’ll have the option to put your flash of red in the center (as closely as possible) if you choose the 15th. But I am a traditionalist and like the flash to be on the 14th (as it was when we first designed this challenge- ohhhh so long ago!), so that’s where mine will appear.
February 20-26: Landscape, Cityscape, vistas and views of the world around you.
February 27-28: Back to Circles to finish out the month.
Photographer Kevin Landwer-Johan wrote, “Shape, structure, and tone are the backbone of black and white photography. Without good composition that incorporates shape, structure, and tone, monochrome photos will appear weak. They will not engage viewers.” He continues to draw a contrast between how we naturally see (in 3D and color) to learning to see in Black and White. Taking away the color in your shot is more than just desaturating it in-camera or in post processing. It begins before you even lift the camera to your eye. Landwer-Johan continues, “The more you can imagine how your subject will look without color, the stronger it can be. Discern how the light reflects off what you are framing and how your camera captures this. Look at the shapes and what tones they are. How do they connect and relate to each other in your frame? Are there some shapes of contrasting tones coming together which you can use in your composition?”
Lines and shape are strong components in any good composition, but in black and white they are even more prominent. Kim Hoban adds, “Photographs are made up of various shapes, whether simple or complex. All these shapes contribute to the overall structure of a scene, and with the absence of color, shapes play a vital role in visual storytelling.” When color is not present in a picture, the only way to recognize an object is by its shape. Shapes not only act as an anchor in your image, they are naturally pleasing to the eye and strengthen the composition.
Circles are some of the most pleasing shapes. Whether they are organic or man-made, circles are not only something we see every day, they carry a number subconscious meanings and can symbolize a number of ideologies. Whether you see a circle as something spiritual (as in eternity), as a universal symbol (as in unity) or a representation of life itself, a circle in a picture can be simply pleasant to look at or capture the thoughts of your viewer. Circles have been classified in three ways according to contemplative photographer, Kim Manley Ort - the lone circle, the implied circle and circles within circles.
While you are exploring the genre of black and white in the coming days, make circles the focus of your image. There are no limitations on what kind of circle you photograph, how you photograph it, or post-process it as long as it’s in black and white. Happy Shooting!
@olivetreeann Hello Ann, I didnt do the FoR last year but would love to do so this year please! Many thanks, the subjects look great with a good diversity
@yogiw Thanks Sandy! @pandorasecho No problem- you're on it now! @theredcamera Will do Ellen! @shutterbug49 I end up adding names on all through the month so no worries- you'll show up on it next week. @granagringa Thanks for joining in Granagringa- you'll be seeing them all over the place by the fifth day. It's not the whole month- each week has it's own theme.
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@30pics4jackiesdiamond @wakelys I'm sure you will find plenty of subjects for that week!
@koalagardens I am always surprised and pleased at how much people love this challenge. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm!
@pandorasecho No problem- you're on it now!
@theredcamera Will do Ellen!
@shutterbug49 I end up adding names on all through the month so no worries- you'll show up on it next week.
@granagringa Thanks for joining in Granagringa- you'll be seeing them all over the place by the fifth day. It's not the whole month- each week has it's own theme.
@jgpittenger Will do Jane!