A photographic study: Colour versus B&W

As I continue to explore photography from various angles,  the impact of colour is one of the obvious subjects of interest. And I thought I put this to the test by looking at the same image in colour and black & white.  Now, I would be very interested to hear your opinion. Which image does have a stronger impact for you? My last post which was published in colour, or its black & white version?

Urban idyll

In summer the canal transforms into a poetic idyll and it is hard to imagine that this is still part of London and that taking some steps to your right you are back on the streets, near the shops and in the middle of an urban neighbourhood.

Sun rise

I took this photo a while back on a winter morning in Bournemouth. While in town I was aware that the sun rose over the sea and set my alarm clock early to be on time just in case. On this morning I noticed red reflections in the clouds, grabbed my camera and ran for the beach ...

Mountain moods

Catching the mountain just before it disappeared behind a veil of clouds, this photo posed a challenge in its own right. Different in mood, the invading white breaks the scene in parts and fragments the picture, leaving the individual scenes almost disconnected.

Elements

Working with a waterfall. It was set in full shade with the sun coming out from behind which did not make it an easy task. Working with this reality, I concentrated on the water gushing down the stones and the relationship between the elements.

Light study

Walking in the forest, I found the sun shining onto the spider net. I was curious how much detail would come out and how the scene would work out as a photo.

Urban wildlife

While walking in Rio de Janeiro's neighbourhood Leme, I came across the Marmoset or locally called Micos, little monkeys found along the Brazilian coast line. This species is said to have been introduced from the northern state of Bahia and have settled so successfully that biologists fear they are becoming a problem to local wildlife. In Rio they have become used to people and were utterly at ease in our presence. A couple of shots, I could not miss.

Our world

Our world. It does not stop to amaze me. Fascinated by the interplay of mountains and clouds, blue and white I felt this one goes with the theme but stands apart. A great lover of nature, I feel amazed of how peaceful and extraordinary our world looks from above. And with every photo, I'm again amazed about nature's beauty.

Winter

Living in London, weather, as much as change of season, is an ongoing theme. Going back to the same part of the park where I took a picture the other week, I thought that this stretch allows me to follow up on the changes we go through in this part of the world, and to catch the different mood, colours, light and shades.

Winter mood

The weather forecast for today was 'snow'. And before I had finished my coffee it had started. Camera in hand I went on exploring different ways of working with the theme. This picture came about while simply shooting out of my front window. I think it catches the mood of the winter day and how the snowing impacts on us while we go about our every day routines.

Winter mood

Tempting to think the photo is underexposed, but it was simply another gloomy winter morning, with a bit of a hint of white on the branches of the trees.

From above

From the air. The visual of a winter day. Cold, wet, frosty, with a bit of haze. Taking my camera wherever I go increasingly inspires me to experiment with pictures. Can I make my experience into a visual that will inspire others? Many of my friends who live in a tropical climate and have never experienced a bitter cold winter have asked how it feels like. Is it possible to convey winter with a photo, or is the photo a reminder of a feeling for those of us who know?

Scenery

Feeling playful, I'm back at exploring the amazing patterns that emerge when we look up close at what exists around us. Exploring the blurred line between abstract and close-up I am amazed how the image emerges in the moment it is seen and how this transforms how we look at it.

Structures

London, Dec 2012. Inspired by David Nash at Kew Gardens, I did a little exploring of wooden structures myself which lead me to look at form, light and colour contrasts.