To see in colour is a delight for the eye but to see in black and white is a delight for the soul
Andri Cauldwell, American photographer
Some people are passionate that black and white is the only true medium for photography, others that a photo without colour is lacking in something. I’m inclined to take a middle stance, as I believe that both have their merits, depending on a number of factors. Subject matter of course, but also time of day, lighting, composition and, perhaps most important, what story you want to tell.
A friend recently shared some of his black and white images from our Virtual Tourist meeting on Facebook. Another friend commented:
All the towns we visited in Croatia and Montenegro (yes even in the rain) were so glowing with cream from the flags and stones and warm orange from the roofs that it seems a shame (to me) to take that away and consign them to drab black, white and grey.
So which is better, monochrome or colour?
I accept that if you look at a photo as a memento of a place you have visited, you will probably want it to be a colour one, as you saw that place in colour. But while it is true that Croatia has lots of colour, I find that a monochrome edit can bring out details that you perhaps don’t notice otherwise, and didn’t notice at the time. To paraphrase what I said in my recent post on black and white portraits, use of monochrome simplifies the image. It creates an edginess to the shot and emphasises shape and form. So I was keen to experiment with my own shots to see which would work well in this format.
When I shared these shots on Facebook it sparked an interesting debate about the merits (or otherwise) of black and white photography. But one thing became clear. Looking at both colour and monochrome versions of the same image, people tend to be drawn to different elements. Maybe a passer-by stands out more in one version than the other. Maybe a building detail becomes more obvious when colour is removed.
So in a departure from my usual Monochrome Madness galleries, this week I’ve included both colour and black and white edits. I’m curious to see which versions my blogging friends prefer and how their views compare with the ones expressed in response to my Facebook post.
Do check out Leanne’s Monochrome Madness page to learn more about this fun challenge. Maybe you’d like to host a theme from time to time? If so, do contact Leanne via her page.
Disclaimer: I myself feel the colour version works best in some of these, although I like these black and white edits too. But I’m not saying which, for now! All were edited with Nik Silver Efex Pro.
By the entrance to Saint Domnius Cathedral
Old Roman column by Saint Domnius Cathedral
The cathedral bell tower
The Baptistry in the former Temple of Jupiter
Detail of the Golden Gate
Carving on the Sulphur Baths building
Typical narrow street in the old city
Typical old city house
And typical shutters
More shutters!
This sculpture is called ‘Histrion’ but I haven’t been able to find out anything more about it
I visited Split in May 2024
43 Comments
Amy
Excellent, Sarah! Beautiful mono image. B/W images bring out the light and shadow better. The comparisons here are great!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Amy 🙂 I agree about light and shade in B&W photos.
wetanddustyroads
For me: Colour is prettier (or is striking the right word), while B&W emphasises the detail. So there is room for both these mediums and only a seasoned photographer like you will know when to use which one that will best suit the moment.
Sarah Wilkie
You flatter me, as quite often I’m not sure which works best even after converting them – these shutters are a case in point!
Leanne Cole
INteresting take on monochrome Sarah. I like what you have done. Sometimes I find it hard to work out which is best.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Leanna 🙂 I think sometimes we all do. That’s one reason I choose always to shoot in colour these days, so I have the option of both!
rkrontheroad
Such an interesting comparison… There are a few that jumped out at me in color though, the one with the little flowerpots on the wall and the shutters.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ruth 🙂 The general consensus seems to be colour for the narrow street (and I agree!), while the shutters have divided people.
Rose
I’ve looked at your photos for a while and still couldn’t choose a favorite. It’s delightfully fascinating (for my eyes and my soul) to see your images in both options. 😊
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Rose, I’m pleased to hear you like both versions as I do too in most instances 😀
Annie Berger
I’ll like that you chose to post both the color and black and white photos side by side, Sarah. Generally, I prefer the color photos, but the black and white photos of the bell tower and the other buildings I preferred in the black and white form. I’m torn between the shutter photos, however!
Sarah Wilkie
If it helps, I’m torn between the shutter photos too! And although as a general rule I tend to like B&W for street photography but I’m leaning towards colour for the street here.
grandmisadventures
I love how you put the pictures side by side like that. Amazing what a difference in feel the black and white has than the color. Both beautiful, just different feels
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Meg – ‘different feels’ is a good way to describe them!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Definitely the one with the flowers is better in colour. I kind of contradict myself with some of the others, eg I like one set of shutters better in b&w (the first) and the others in colour – maybe because they have a more washed out look anyway.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anabel 🙂 I do agree about the street with the flowers, on balance. As for the shutters, I keep changing my mind, or rather, I feel both versions work about as well as each other, for different reasons 😉
Monkey's Tale
Most of the buildings here tend to be monotone so the bw is nice to let you see some of the details. Except for the Sulphur baths, which are a surprising blue. I prefer it in colour for that reason. The windows and the narrow street scene, I prefer in colour otherwise what makes it unique doesn’t standout to me in BW. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for the feedback Maggie. The sculptures on the Sulphur Baths building are actually more grey than blue but my photo shows them rather blueish, I agree 🙂 I like the windows in both versions personally, but the street scene is the one I definitely prefer in colour myself, although the B&W would look good had I never seen the colour! A good example of why it’s best to shoot in colour and then convert 😀
thehungrytravellers.blog
Hmmm. My own view (definitely not an expert one!) is that this collection proves your point that it works sometimes but not always. Some of these examples are given character by the b/w “conversion”, but for others, for me anyway, it’s drained all the life out of the subject. The street with the two guys is a good example of the latter.
Sarah Wilkie
None of us is an expert Phil! And that street image is the one that’s divided most people and I confess is one of the few I felt should probably be left in colour 😆
Aletta - nowathome
I prefer the monochrome photos, the detail is so beautiful.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Aletta, that’s interesting to hear 🙂
bushboy
Love the shutters
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian 🙂 Do you have a view on the colour or B&W versions?
bushboy
It is amazing what conversion to B&W can do to some photos. I have some where the attempt to convert just doesn’t work.
I was lucky with my waterfall photos for Monochrome Madness this week
Egídio
These monochromes are awesome, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much for that 😊
Anna
All the Croatia posts that I know are coming are going to break my heart. I miss it so much! X
Sarah Wilkie
Oh dear, I’m sorry Anna 🤗 I should warn you, there will be several more. I so wish you could have joined us there!
Anna
It’s ok, I still look forward to your view of Croatia!
Suzanne
I think B&W showcases more details in the actual photo, colour can distract from that. Both have a place. Colour is especially preferred by many when capturing a sunset. As you know B&W is a favourite of mine. I haven’t explored Croatia, a woman living in our apartment block is there at the moment.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Suzanne 🙂 I agree about the details, on the whole. Croatia is beautiful, especially the stunning coastline. I’ll have more posts from our short stay in due course 🙂
Anne Sandler
All black and white except for the “narrow street” image. It had bright colors. Most of the pictures were more or less monochrome anyway and the color in them didn’t add much. However in black and white, the details stood out. Here’s where the difference between monochrome and black and white stands out. My mind’s eye didn’t take the sky into consideration.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks for that feedback Anne 🙂 Your point about the sky is interesting and I agree for the most part, however I do think the sky in the bell tower shot looks particularly good in B&W!
Anne Sandler
I agree about the bell tower sky. It was fabulous and I meant to mention it.
Marie
I prefer monochrome for the cathedral details etc but when I scroll down to the street scenes I prefer the colour option – just look at those lovely flower pots, the warm brick and the weathered greens of the shutters….
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for the feedback Marie, and I do know what you mean about the street scenes. Normally I favour monochrome for street photography but on the shot of those two men I’m torn between the two versions!
margaret21
I surprised myself by preferring monochrome in every case here. Colour didn’t seem.essential to an appreciation of the subject,and I felt better able to focus without that ‘distraction’. It wouldn’t always be the case however. But here, with these particular subjects, it worked really well.
Sarah Wilkie
That’s really interesting Margaret, as I know you’re not always convinced by B&W edits 😀 To be honest, there are a couple I personally prefer in colour, although I feel all do work in monochrome too.
margaret21
No, I am convinced by your B/W edits – just not my own! No, even the street scene worked really well in b/w I thought.
Sarah Wilkie
Yours are generally good, I find, but you might be happier if you played with the contrast as I tend to do – I like a punchier shot when it comes to B&W 😀
margaret21
You’re right. But remember I don’t have the ‘toyboxes’ that you have available to you, which probably limits me.
Sarah Wilkie
Good point!