Attached Link: Back to Basics

i agree it is better to shoot in color mode first then edit to b&w depending on personal preference sometimes it easier for one to see the composition & tones in b&w & in some instances it just brings a natural artistic style & class to an image (being careful not to muddy it by flattening it with a dull range of tone & contrast) have always thought it best to learn the art of photography through b&w before moving into color :] thanks kort

Attached Link: dcMAG

I generally shoot in color, and convert to B&W in the digital darkroom. Almost the best of both worlds. I say "almost" as B&W film still beats color film or digital in dynamic range. Usually not an issue, however.

As with my "Lines Series", I tend to visualize composition first. I'm pretty sure the other genre of CG has been a big influence too. Not to mention the fact that visualizing becomes addictive.(is there such a thing as a head strap?) ;) Great article, Thanks

nice article, Kort! thanks! when i first started learning photography back in high school, i only shot b/w. i LOVE b/w photography! i shoot in color and then convert to b/w. i LOVE color and want the choice. on the other hand, kemal and i are getting ready to start shooting with an old cam, using b/w film. i can't wait!!! :)

Heres my thoughts on B&W 1) using a restricted palette, helps because it forces you to think in composition terms (ie form, structure) 2) The few tones available, make you think about the finished image. 3) I use the Ansell Adams Zoning system, (+/- 1 ZONE) Depending on the lighting conditions. 4) the play of light adds complexity and makes you really think about what you trying to achieve. 5) Sometimes, simplicity is easier in black and white, but the tones add greater complexity and helps with the details, esp in low light conditions. 6) When editing, especially in B&W you are forced to think dimensionally, (ie) in that if I alter this? what does that do to the image. 7) For B&W the best thing I have found is to bracket across 2 stops and change the white balance to custom and set at a slightly lower setting, turn off the lighting settings I Use a Canon 350D with various lenses, Always shoot in B&W (basic parameter settings) with either a Polarizer 62mm and 58mm, or UV filter. Anyway thats my thoughts for what they are worth.

I certainly like well-done grayscale images and find the "muddy ones" boring. Learning to do bw well is not easy, from my experience, because the lack of color leaves the basic stuff of the image to be seen. That "stuff" might not have the tonal value or composition to be appealing when color is desaturated. In my thought, going to bw with an image is like taking off a mask and seeing the real face of it all. I will do mostly color images but with many I do go bw to see if the stuff is there for a nice bw image. If so, then to get the grayscale right and appealing is the work to be done! Some shots cry out for bw.. : ) Agree with john(above) on bracketing. With digital that might be even more important since highlights can be blown and lost easily as can substance in shadow areas.