Why do run down cities look good in B&W?

13 years 2 months ago #34959 by Scout 4x4
Why do run down cities look good in B&W?
If you shoot the same shot in color, the photo looks like crap, but turn it into B&W and it's art. Why is that?


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13 years 2 months ago #34960 by silverlining
Good question. Maybe it's because B&W normally brings a dramatic feeling to the photo.


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13 years 2 months ago #35158 by Yasko
Black and white can lend a sense of bleakness and bareness that complements subject matter that's grungy, rundown, gritty, etc. Black and white is often associated with age, because it was the only medium available in the old days, so it makes sense for things that are archaic and dated too.


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13 years 2 months ago #35180 by Baydream

Yasko wrote: Black and white can lend a sense of bleakness and bareness that complements subject matter that's grungy, rundown, gritty, etc. Black and white is often associated with age, because it was the only medium available in the old days, so it makes sense for things that are archaic and dated too.

:agree:
Does that mean old folks like me should only appear in B&W? :toocrazy:

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

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13 years 2 months ago #35263 by Yasko
lol when I was really little I'd see b&w stuff like Perry Mason and 40's movies and I actually thought color must not have been around back then. :toocrazy:


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13 years 2 months ago #35478 by Happy-pixel

Yasko wrote: Black and white can lend a sense of bleakness and bareness that complements subject matter that's grungy, rundown, gritty, etc. Black and white is often associated with age, because it was the only medium available in the old days, so it makes sense for things that are archaic and dated too.


Good way of putting it :goodpost: I would like to add, that color adds life and black and white with the right setting takes life from a photo.


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