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"I've been 40 years discovering that the queen of all colors was black." Auguste Renoir
"Black and White Photography" does more to evoke an emotion and freeze a moment in time than any other medium. Looking back over the decades at such famous photographers as, Steigletz, Weston, Adams, and others has helped elevate Black and White Photography, to a Fine Art form. The subtle tones of grays, the strong emphasis of the Blacks, and the softness of the Whites makes one look much closer at the subject and composition due to the lack of natural color. Emotions are always much easier to portray with Black and White, because of the stark contrasts and the sharp focus on the subject."-Bob Snell
"I've chosen black and white because I feel that the lack of color helps the viewer to more easily home in on my subject matter, while at the same time creating a mood which enhances the emotions I'm trying to communicate. " - Jeff Alu
"Rewarding photography comes from building on existing styles rather that repeating them. In order to develop ones own style, it is important to have the courage to think freely, expressively and inventively."- Helyn Davenport
"Do I point my camera outwards to the existing world or turn it inward towards my soul.
Am I taking photographs of existing reality, or creating my own world, so real but non existent.
Results from this two opposite approaches are notably different and, in my opinion, conceptual.
Photography is a higher form of artistic expression that places photography on the level of painting, poetry, music and sculpture. It employs the special talent of intuitive vision. By translating the personal concepts into the language of photography, it reflects the possible answers to major questions of being: birth, death and life.
Creating an idea and transforming it into reality is an essential process of conceptual photography.
" -Misha Gordin
"I believe sometimes, some forms…objects…moments…like silence, absorbs the mind, frees it of petty detail, and serves as a visual guide…a means for penetrating through the 'realm of multitudes'. The mind freed of 'logic' and 'formal definitions' can overcome the rational and cross into a world devoid of labels and categories. Where 'understanding' comes before analytical comprehension. Where the specificity of line, contour, pattern is done away with. Where 'meaning' is not sought anymore…in the rational sense. Where the picture does not 'fit' a category and does not articulate an 'ideal' recognizable form… It is then that it begins to appeal to our sense of shape…texture…tone…our feel for solidity. It allows us to roam free of restraint into areas of darkness and light…free to form other associations and form other alliances."- Subir Chatterjee
"Black and white are like the Chinese Yin and Yang, a look for a balance between positive and negative powers. If one is lucky to find that balance, one can describe the world, including by black and white photography. My attempts in this field are to find, if possible, the harmonious play of the Light and the Shadow, hoping I can be closer to the Truth."
-Nick Chaldakov
Black and White Photography is one imagery way of loosing reality for the benefit of a more personal point of view, nostalgic touch and the shaping of a universal environment. Black and White Photography might add a strong image, timeless lives to make it even stronger. Although I mostly create my Images in colors, I can't resist the beauty and charms of the Black and White's.-Dubi Roman
"For years, before digital, I always photographed in black and white but usually added paints to the surface. Now I photograph in color and sometimes convert them to black and white! Black and white strips the image down to its basic form and forces it to stand alone on the merits of form and composition."- Judy Mandolf
"When you use B&W instead of color you have removed one of the elements that combine to make an image and thus simplify it. I like what results, the gradations of tones from white to black."-Nathan Kern
"I subscribe to black and white, in making images, for its effecitve communicative strength, due to its unique interpretational abilities. One can read a black and white photograph, instead of just viewing the subject matter".-Bob Evans
"Meticulous may be a good way of describing my work. To be sure, the quality of light and shadow is equally important. As a matter of fact, I consider those elements as an essential part of the design. But for me, without visual order, an image fails despite the content. All things must be considered. Harmonies must be present for the message to be fluent. It all must come together symphonically. If there is too much noise, at least for me, it is difficult to hear the melody. I assume as much for the audience. It is an Eastern experience when I shoot. An attempt at Zen within the frame." -David Mendelsohn
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Street Photos-Documentary Journalism