Adding a new dimension – an adventure in colour
For the past 8 years I have solely concentrated on Black and White photography and I have enjoyed the experience immensely. A quick scan of the galleries on this website will reveal a wealth of monochrome images. Only one gallery includes a small selection of colour work.
Whilst I will continue making monochrome photographs I have decided to spend considerably more of my time creating colour images. Good composition, form, texture, light and shade are all key to good black and white photography and I know these skills will be put to good use in the future. However the introduction of colour adds another dimension. Colour balance, colour temperature, saturation and luminosity and the interplay of all these ingredients have a role in making a pleasing image. These are skills I have yet to learn. I do not think for a moment this knowledge can be acquired overnight and I am sure I will make many mistakes along the way. In essence this is a new adventure, a fresh challenge and I do not know where it might lead me in terms of a photographic style.
I suspect the choice of subject matter will not change as I love to be outdoors and enjoying being in nature. I do though intend to adopt a more considered approach. Taking my time, thinking things through, planning the shot and using a tripod and filters if necessary. Less the ‘hit and run’ of my usual spontaneous approach. More contemplative which I hope will result in a much more immersive photographic experience. An approach which applies not just to taking the image, but also in post processing when I am making key decisions about how the finished image should appear and the feelings I would the photograph to convey.
I may write about my equipment of choice in a future entry but for now I will simply say I will be using Fujifilm cameras and lenses. Their excellent colour science is well known. I shall also be using Capture One Pro for editing and post processing. Again I may write about this aspect of the adventure on another occasion.
To finish I would like to share a few more images I have made in the past week or so. Early days but I think this new challenge is going to be rather fun!
alan frost photography 
10 Responses to “Adding a new dimension – an adventure in colour”
Lovely set Alan. Looking forward to your next colour images.
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Thank you David.
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Have always enjoyed your monochromes, especially the churches. They are so peaceful and soulful, But I certainly understand your foray into color; sometimes that is the only way an image should be. Your water landscape image reminds me of Heinrich Kuehn’s images. Am studying him now and love them. Look forward to seeing more of your new work.
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Thank you for your kind comment Sherry. Rest assured I will continue with b&w work, but I just wanted to spend some time with colour to see where it takes me. All part of the learning and enjoyment process. Thanks again.
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[…] you read my last post you will know that I am making a concerted effort to create more colour images. For the purposes of […]
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Very good to be in contact again, Alan. Two things to say about your foray into colour. First, as always, we are all of us individuals with our own preferences. For me, both colour and b&w do the job really well and, although I’m getting a little lazy now and so don’t get around to it so much, colour and b&w used together can also be very effective. Stay with it and, also, stay safe. Adrian 🙂
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Thanks Adrian. It’s good to be back and feeling inspired to follow a new path. Quite where it will take me I don’t know but I am looking forward to the ride. I hope you have kept virus free these past 16 months. Alan
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Yes thanks, Alan, virus-free, but really left feeling drained of all energy and get up and go. One thing: I’m extremely thankful to be retired! How are you getting on? Re your path, many see b&w as the only path, the “pure” and real path perhaps, and I’ve done a lot of it, from school and uni darkrooms to SEP2. But my main interest is in the final image, irrespective of the means of capture and post-processing, and the option of presenting the final image in b&w, colour or both is really a very powerful tool. Stay safe! Adrian
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Fortunately I am retired as well but I do think the last 16 months has not only inhibited our movement but also curbed our desire to be creative. I know this has been the case with me. Hopefully we are slowly returning to some form of normality and as a consequence I feel I want to make images again. The combination of mono and colour rather appeals but as you so rightly say it’s the final image that really matters. I also prefer autumn, winter and spring to summer; the weather and the light are so much more conducive to the photographs which I really enjoy creating. Thanks again Adrian for your your thoughtful and constructive words. Alan
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Yes, I totally agree about the effects of the past 16 months, this has been hard work – and the more so I imagine for those who cannot work from home, and so have had to travel daily. And I absolutely agree with you – summer is by far my least favourite season! Stay safe! and let’s hope that we are at long last returning nearer to some sort of reality. 🙂
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