Blackness is a virtue

[andesheng]

http://www.pbase.com/andesheng/blackness

The images in this gallery all use the color black as a compositional element. Ansel Adams popularized the zone system in black and white photography. One of the ideas of the zone system was that a photograph should ideally include both pure black and pure white elements. While the zone system works well with black and white photography, it typically doesn't work well at all with color photography. For example, the pure white element in a black and white photo will "read" as a blown highlight in a color photo.

In theory, a pure black element in color photos suggests "loss of shadow detail," and the result should be equally unacceptable. To the contrary, however, I find that many of my favorite photos have significant black elements in them, involving total or near total loss of shadow detail. Silhouettes are the obvious example, but I also like the blackness of tree trunks on a rainy day, or the "ballast" that a strong element of blackness brings to a photo.

In selecting the images for this gallery, the criteria was not simply whether or not there was a black color element in the photo, but whether the black element enhanced the composition or the mood of the photo. I would be interested in anyone's reaction to these images, and samples of how others use elements of blackness in their color photos.

[hugodrax]

Interesting I am not familiar with the zone system but I do like blackness in images depending on the subject.

[framewerkz]

Interesting concept, and something I think I'll be exploring more formally in the near future...

Here's something I believe qualifies.

http://www.pbase.com/image/19978670

[framewerkz]

Thinking about it more, I guess it's made easier when you shoot into the light a lot.


http://www.pbase.com/image/21890681

[ang1970]

[herb1rm]

one foreground and one background







Herb
http://www.pbase.com/herb1rm

[stanmore]

http://www.pbase.com/andesheng/blackness

The images in this gallery all use the color black as a compositional element. Ansel Adams popularized the zone system in black and white photography. One of the ideas of the zone system was that a photograph should ideally include both pure black and pure white elements. While the zone system works well with black and white photography, it typically doesn't work well at all with color photography. For example, the pure white element in a black and white photo will "read" as a blown highlight in a color photo.

In theory, a pure black element in color photos suggests "loss of shadow detail," and the result should be equally unacceptable. To the contrary, however, I find that many of my favorite photos have significant black elements in them, involving total or near total loss of shadow detail. Silhouettes are the obvious example, but I also like the blackness of tree trunks on a rainy day, or the "ballast" that a strong element of blackness brings to a photo.

In selecting the images for this gallery, the criteria was not simply whether or not there was a black color element in the photo, but whether the black element enhanced the composition or the mood of the photo. I would be interested in anyone's reaction to these images, and samples of how others use elements of blackness in their color photos.

Like you I use black - pitch, detailess black - as a key tool in my photography. For me though it's most often the foil ... the background, the stage from which light and/or colour shines out. You can see several examples in ... http://www.pbase.com/phoenikz/photographs

Simon

[tarable]

simple, but black...
http://www.pbase.com/image/24954820

[herb1rm]

Here is one from today







Herb
http://www.pbase.com/herb1rm