Going Minimal

Simplicity isn't Simple


I like black and white approach to image making very much. In my opinion the range of tonalities of black and white photography can be and are very expressive. When you strip away the color of an image you are left with the 'bare bones' of the image. This forces you to focus on the subject, the composition, the light and relationships contained within and implied by the frame. I have been told by some that black and white images are "boring" ,"lacking" and "simplistic" (in a condescending way). I think that perhaps these individuals were blinded by the colors of the images they perceive as 'interesting', 'real' and 'exciting'. Within the limits imposed by the absence of color lies a universe of creativity that waits to be mastered. 


Making rich, creative, meaningful images in black and white is harder and more challenging than it appears to be. It takes a learned eye to 'see' in black and white and visualize (think Ansel Adams here) what that image will look like without color. That translates into practice, lots of it. 


Have I gotten better? Yes? - Am i where I want to be?  No. Like the game of golf black and white photography and be 'played' but never 'won'. The most you can hope for is to get better - that's your reward.