Color makes people more real; monochrome makes people more abstract.

I’ve been thinking much about what will become classic. Thinking of monochrome vs color.

First example: Richard AVEDON in black and white vs color:

Monochrome wins

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In this portrait, the color technically is “better”in the sense that the colors match better. Red white and blue. She has blue eye makeup, red lips, and a white and blue cigarette in her mouth.

But to me, I think the monochrome is better. Why? The color distracts from the models face and expression. Also, the irony is that the color photograph makes the model look very “human”, and makes the photo very “realistic”. Is there a problem with that? Not necessarily, but a theory:

Perhaps as photographers we are trying to elevate our photos BEYOND reality — into the realm of abstract art.

Surrealism?

Here is a photo of mine, both in monochrome and black and white. Originally shot in RAW, and processed in two ways:

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I actually think both versions look good, but I prefer the monochrome. Why? In color, the image becomes less abstract and surreal. I notice the red lips of the subject in the color version, which distracts me. Also in the color version, it’s more apparent that the hand doesn’t belong to him, whereas in the black and white version, it’s less obvious.

Thus my next idea:

Perhaps for surrealism, monochrome is better? Unless the color adds to the surrealism?

Color surrealism

Below are some photos of mine, this time in color. Focused on surrealism. They work better in color, as the color is an integral part of the surrealism of the images:

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How to shoot surreal photos?

To shoot a surreal photo — to me it means to notice or observe something weird or out of place in real life, or something that makes you “double take” and think “wtf?”

Often, you don’t notice the surrealism after the fact — until far later, when you’re reviewing your photos.

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Even note the photo above. I didn’t really think about the surrealism until far later, when reviewing my photos. When shooting the scene, I asked the girl to pose in front of this poster, and look down. But I didn’t truly understand or recognize the surrealistic power until later!

So in a sense, shoot whatever is interesting to you at the moment, then figure out how to categorize or classify it afterwards!

Avedon in color

Richard AVEDON does have some compelling pictures in color from his portfolio. Some of my favorites:

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Some useful information from the color photos:

1. I didn’t know Elizabeth Taylor had blue-grey eyes
2. I didn’t know Twiggy had blue eyes. I also didn’t know her skin tone.
3. I didn’t know Audrey Hepburn has green eyes.

Also, when you see portraits of these icons in color, it makes you realize:

Oh wow, these were actually real people!

Color makes people more real; monochrome makes people more abstract. Which then makes you think—

Do I want to abstract my subjects, or make them more real?