Oakland Parade by OaklandRealEstate.org
Black and white photos elicit drama and story. Indeed, there is nothing more captivating than black & white photography to draw attention or response from the audience. The mysterious allure of the black and white shade has continued to puzzle many, especially photography enthusiasts, which have led them to continue to explore this genre of photography to understand what makes it so effective. Take an image of a child, when converted to black and white, the focus is intensified and the mood changed.
Black and white photography dominated the scene for several decades and this same trend continued on even when color photography was introduced. In fact, black and white format is not only used in the field of photography, but also in other media. It even dominated television, movies, and print for some time. The 20th century also saw a flourishing of color photography but black and white photos were not completely neglected either. Many of the black and white images that were captured during the early 20th century had been preserved until today. Without images from the past, such as these Oakland photos from a long time ago, we only have words and sketches to remind us of life from yesterday.
But what is it about black and white photos that make them artistically rich? Photography experts note a few factors: viewpoint, light source, amount of light, direction of light, quality of light, tone, texture, and lines.
Viewpoint is an important aspect in capturing black and white photos as it reflects how a picture is presented. Photographers need to think about the best angle of the shoot for maximum drama. In addition, proper lighting is vital in shooting black and white photography to help capture the details, build up shadows and contrast, and offer depth and dimension to the photo.
Black and white photos could either be an artistic masterpiece or a complete failure, depending on how well it is executed. The presence of lines, for instance, draws attention to certain points in the photo. Meanwhile, texture makes the photo seem realistic and also creates a sense of mystery with blurred out details and other similar photography tricks. The tone of the photo is responsible for setting the mood and conveys feelings to an audience upon looking at a particular photograph.
However, the term “black and white” is actually a misnomer. This monochromatic form of visual art does not only use the colors black and white, but also some shades of gray and sepia. The latter shades are used in a more subtle way, though, but it makes a huge difference in bringing an artistic flavor.
The digital technology era of photography, as well as media and the arts in general, has contributed to the nostalgic feeling that one experiences upon seeing an image from the past. Take these images on Oakland theaters from the past – It seems to take one back to a time when televisions were new inventions and black and white images were the standard, or the time when colorless newspaper prints were what people had been reading on a daily basis. Despite the passage of time, many photographers are still drawn to the use of this concept in capturing their photos. The main reason behind the use of this approach is to capture that artistic sense that colored photos just could not seem to deliver, unless otherwise the photographer is gifted with expert skills.