Using digital cameras didn’t make me a B&W person either. In reality digital cameras are color devices. Well, the Leica M Monochrom is not and some CCTV cameras are not, but whatever we normally buy is meant to take color images.
Of course we can convert to B&W, many of us do, I frequently did in the past (or probably not that frequently), but there is some element of randomness in it. Starting with a RAW file you can simulate any kind of filter, any kind of development, and what you get is very much a function of your mood at the time you do the conversion, in fact much more than that at the time you took the image.
When I used digital SLRs I never saw B&W. Granted, the same is true for HCB and his Leica, but at least for me it makes much of a difference how I see the image while I frame it.
And here we are. Electronic viewfinders make the big, crucial difference. Suddenly I see in B&W, frame in B&W, suddenly I deeply enjoy making B&W images, and now the difference is, that I don’t only enjoy processing color images to B&W, but instead enjoy taking them as B&W.
Today’s image is another one taken Wednesday in Vienna.
The Song of the Day is again “I Got Stripes” from Johnny Cash’ “At Folsom Prison” album. Hear it on YouTube.
Wolfgang Lonien (2012-12-07)
I've made the same experience and also love the different aspect ratios you can set in these EVFs. And you know what? I'll take it to heart and set my camera to B&W for our mixed-light Friday meeting which will start in about one and a half hours from now. So good to see what you'll get...
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