MemberSo lately I have been browsing photographers for my wedding. Haven’t committed to anything.
I have noticed lately TONS of black and white pictures. I looked at 3 seperate photographer’s websites that were all DOMINATED by b&w.
Is anyone else noticing this? Why is it?
MemberI personally prefer b&w, so maybe they’re just reflecting the preferences of their customers. I think it has a cleaner, more classic look.
MemberIt’s all about the effects! I love the look of special effects in photographs. Black and white with a pop of color is my favorite!
Member@jb20: My photographer only gave me some pictures in black and white because the lighting was off.
I personally prefer color, but for some pictures I did print in B&W because they were being hung in our Black, Grey and White decorated bedroom 🙂
MemberI have an issue with it because their online portfolios are full of black and white.
I guess MY logic (and for the love of it, it’s how I feel, so hopefully no one jumps down my throat) is that, when I’m looking at a photographer’s online portfolio, I am doing a preliminary search on this person to potentially hire them. I am not going to hire someone who can’t show me full color pictures, too. I am not a professional in the field, I know what I want. Even if the black and white pictures are beautiful or look great, I am still not a fan because there aren’t any comparible color ones, too.
After all, my wedding day is happening in color!
MemberIt has a classy look. There were a few pictures my photog took in black and white but mostly color.I think black and white looks cleaner.
I made a photo book, and it was fun to see pictures in color and black and whtie on the same page.
Member@jb20: If you’re interested in the style of someone’s photos, just contact him and let him know that you’re interested, and would like to see some full weddings in color. It shouldn’t be a problem!
MemberI know my photog put some of the photos that, for instance, were later in the night and people were super shiny from sweaty dancing, in B&W and when we requested the color copy as well, they were happy to give it, but the color version often did look worse…B&W has a way of hiding flaws, making skin look more even, etc. That said, not every photo should be B&W, but it can be useful to make an unusable photo usable 🙂 But if they’re using it too often, it may say something about their skills in the first place that they have to use it so often to hide bad lighting or whatever. Or, it may just mean their clients like that look so they show it. If you’re interested in a photog you should always ask to see what a full wedding looks like before signing 🙂
MemberMemberI’ve gone through at least 50 portfolios at this point. My observation has been that when more than half the portfolio is B&W, it’s to try and hide bad lighting, a bad shot or poor technique. If it’s just a few, then it’s usually for a specific look that they’re going for. My photographer has a fair number of B&Ws in her online album, and when I sat down with her, she had the color versions as well. The reasons for making them B&W made sense – one was a beautiful shot of the bride and her mom, and the wall behind them was a godawful neon green color. She also had some where the bride had skin problems and makeup didn’t really cover. So the B&W shots helped visually smooth out her skin.
Ask what % of their albums are color and what % are usually B&W and why.
Member@jb20: I’ve heard that B&W pics tend to be more flattering, so maybe that’s why? I’m really not sure. Part of the reason we picked our photographer is because we like how bold and colorful her photography is; I’m not sure I would be as drawn to a mostly B&W portfolio.
MemberI haven’t noticed either or being more dominating as the other. I like both. As long as there is no selective coloring, blech.
MemberJust some advice, don’t hire someone who you don’t 100% love the work in their portfolio. Whether it’s there shooting style or how they edit etc. you are hiring them for what they are presenting themselves at. PLEASE don’t contact a photog and say, “I love your images, but can we do this instead..” It’s insulting. Now with digital and EVERYONE trying to be a photographer there is a lot more options so just keep looking until you find someone with a style that speaks to you.
MemberMemberSome images just demand to be in b and w. sometimes there are distracting colour element. For example there’s a church in my town that is painted brown, orange and pastel blue. Ugh. Other times the emotion of the moment works better in monochrome. Photography started in b and w and it always make the proper image look Timeless. But it’s not to be used to cover up issues. It should be to improve!
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