Artists research: Looking at B&W photography

For my final piece I will be creating a series of black and white images shot on medium format using 120 film.

I want to look at a variety of photographers who have used black and white imagery in alternative creative ways. Not to say I will be trying anything too outrageous but I want to explore what can be done with black and white film photography. In particular I will be looking at images which I believe have a rich texture and deep tones which complement the subject matter.

Robert Mapplethorpe is a staple in the amateur photographer’s diet when hungry for beautiful imagery.

The first image here, of James Franco, is so rich in tones. I think what really grabs my attention in any of Mapplethorpe’s work is how black the blacks within the images are. It always adds so much depth to the image. This moves us on to the second image which, again, you can see the richness of the blacks create the rest of the image. without this depth, the subjects in the foreground wouldn’t have so much of a visual impact.

Erwin Blumenfeld is another photographer who used some interesting techniques to create depth in his images.

 

Again, you can see how the deep blacks offset the subject matter to create beautiful shapes and textures. Something Mapplethorpe did a lot of.

Sally Mann is another excellent Black and White photographer, despite her somewhat controversial subject matter, the images are still very beautiful.

 

You can again see the richness in tones here that I am speaking of. Particularly in the first image of her daughter. The image directly above is a self portrait which I have only just discovered. Again, it’s the blacks of the vignetting that add so much drama to the image which is what always seems to attract me to black and white photography.

RE: Business fair images

I have decided that I would like to create an exhibition out of the images taken at the business fair for my Freelance Practice module. 

On editing these images to prepare I realised that the use of colour in these images is futile. I don’t need the extra dimension that the colour adds. I feel it over complicates the work and that the reactions, the tones and the shadows generated by the minimal lighting are the key focus points here. 

Here are a few I have transformed into black and white:

I am hoping to continue this kind of work by creating a similar small studio set up at the exhibition to create some more ‘reactions’ work. If its a night event, possibly tequila shots (adults only obviously).

I will get back to you with some follow up images!