When I began taking pictures I wanted to shoot color. Black and white didn't interest and besides, I could buy and process color slide film for much less than it cost to buy and process prints.  

With the advent of digital my delight in color pictures only intensified. I especially enjoyed the challenge of processing camera RAW files in Photoshop, trying to produce a final image that was as close to perfect as possible. Perfection is always ephemeral challenge, always a moving target and I remain my own worst critic, but I thoroughly enjoy the pursuit.

Recently I have begun to explore the unique challenges and advantages of black and white. Professional photographers point out that color sometimes gets in the way of a good picture or is distracting. Skin tones can be better rendered in black and white. If you want a vintage look, monochrome is your best bet. Black and white emphasizes structure, texture and form. 

A short while ago I joined a Facebook group that only posts black and white images. It's a great way to see the work of others and learn from their craft. These are some of the images I have posted. Many of them have appeared on my own Facebook page. Not all of them in black and white. 

An old factory on East Michigan  Ave. This is also an HDR image.

And abandoned Dodge pickup

 The next two were taken at the tall ships festival in Bay City a few years ago. The sepia treatment seems to fit the antique nature of these sailing vessels.

This reenactor portrayed an American Indian at a Rendezvous.

Vintage hood ornament at the Gilmore Auto Museum

Vintage aircraft are colorful in their own right but black and white seems to fit. A New Standard bi-plane offering rides at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo

The nose and inboard engines of a B-17 bomber

Port side waist gunner on a B-17

The following images emphasize structure and form.

A gray morning in an autumn woods. Had to go monochrome.

Grain silo complex out Parma way

I've processed this image in both color and black and white and like both. Each treatment bring out different aspects of the photo.  Taken near Hocking Hills in Ohio

Night scene at Eaton Rapids Airstream event

Long exposure for smooth water and clouds. 

Another retired pick-up -- this one on a farm on the Camus Prairie in Idaho.

The color in the woods behind this cat actually gets in the way of the image.

Again, black and white emphasizes the form and structure of this milkweed pod.

I haven't used this blog for a spell but may fire it up again. It's mostly been about photography but expect to see some posts about other thoughts as well.