Monochrome in a World full of Colour
A high-key monochrome image which has blended out the background of these Elephants coming down the hill
Recently I was perusing my photos from last autumn’s trip to Kafue in Zambia and I just noticed that for a small but not insignificant minority of my developed images I chose Black and White. Maybe a reason for this is that I grew up in a world of Black and White TV until my teens and Black and White photos in newspapers, so it is something familiar.
Lovely textures and strong connect with the subject
Monochrome can be very effective in some instances. The photo above is one of my favourite images from the Kafue trip and it works really well in Black and White. I instinctively chose to reduce the saturation to zero and manipulate the colour channels to optimise the Black and White feel. It seemed right to make this image monochrome. Why? The little baby monkey and its mother are both relatively grey in their fur anyway, and the complete removal of colour emphasises the texture of the fur and focuses in on the key elements of the photo, namely the strong eye connect and the subtle but important activity of the baby which is the main story of the image. The colour wouldn’t add anything here. In fact, the leaves in the foreground would have distracted from the core of the image if they had been in colour.
An unmistakable shape in the long grass … does the lack of colour matter?
In many cases colours are key – a beautiful sunrise or a vibrant plumage on a bird and the image would lack impact if the colours were removed. But in some cases the image doesn’t need the colours as it is all about patterns and shapes and the contrasts between them. Elephants are an example of an animal where monochrome can often be effective. They have recognisable and unique shapes, are rather grey anyway, and removing the colour can emphasise the animals and reduce the impact of the surrounding bushes when these do not add much to the story. Their gnarly and wrinkly hide creates wonderful textures that is enhanced by the black and white effect.
Elephants often lend themselves to great Black and White images
The image of the galloping Warthogs also lends itself well to Black and White. The dull brownish background did little to enhance the shot, and the monochrome version accentuates the shape, speed and power of these funny grey animals.
A slow shutter speed of 1/80s combined with the monochrome effect to focus on speed and movement
Another great subject for Black and White is the Zebra. Again, this is a rather monochrome animal, where their pattern is the standout feature. Black and white plays to these distinct stripey contrasts and emphasises the patterns whilst removing background colour which not always adds to the totality of the image. Colours can be very effective in Zebra shots, particularly if diffused and the light is low creating a golden hue across the animals making the white no longer appearing white. But if the light is starker or duller then monochrome can be effective.
A line of stripes - Zebras are made for Back and White photography!
It is all about the movement … a slow shutter speed and monochrome to draw attention to the flow of the water
It is all a judgement, and often I create both a colour and a black and white version of the same scene. Either can be effective - each approach will emphasise distinct elements and convey different impressions or moods.
Brilliant texture in this slightly angry Elephant’s hide