February 4, 2023 • 189

LAPC #235: Shadows and Reflections in Monochrome

In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.

Alfred Stieglitz

For this challenge, we’re exploring monochrome images that feature shadows and reflections.

Today, we’re lucky. With newer cameras, we can choose to shoot or process our photos in a full range of colors (polychrome) or one color (monochrome). In the early days of photography, there was only monochrome.

But wait a minute… A question. Didn’t they have black and white images back then? Aren’t they two colors? The quick answer is “no.” I’ve checked quite a few experts who agree that black and white photos are not two colors, but varying shades of one color–gray. Purists will refer to black and white images as grayscale. So, for our challenge, black and white images fall under the category of monochrome.

Next question….why use monochrome for shadows and reflections? To answer that, I’ll jump to a few examples.

From time to time when I’m out with my camera, I look down and find a treasure reflected in a puddle of water.

One night, after a day of rain, we were walking through the Piazza di Santa Croce when I saw this reflection. The bright-white facade of the basilica really caught my eye and made me take a second look.

I processed this image in sepia tones to highlight the different textures of the pavement, the water, and the reflection.

I processed the next image from the Auschwitz Concentration Camp in monochrome to highlight a particular mood. It draws attention to the impassable metal bars, the stark shadows, the flat, dusty grounds, and the infamous sign reflected on the ground. Monochrome also highlights the texture of the bars, the grounds, and the utilitarian camp buildings in the distance. All these elements help to create a somber mood.

I used two different monochrome filters to process this scene right around sunset in Florence. Monochrome helps to create a dramatic mood–of the evening sky, the lights reflected in the water, and the shadows of the buildings across the Arno.

Monochrome images can be processed in various colors, like blue, brown, green, and red. Which one do you prefer–the blue one on top or the sepia below?

This next image, captured one evening in Florence, has a very different look and mood in monochrome vs. color. The vivid colors of the building and the wine bar sign can no longer draw the attention of the viewer. Instead, I had to rely on the contrasting textures, the subject of the photo, the atmosphere, and the composition.

In monochrome, the photo looks dated, old-fashioned, but when you look closely you can see the decidedly modern woman in sweatpants who is glancing at her cellphone.

She is in direct contrast to the centuries-old building and a dimly-lit wine bar in the background. What message and mood does this photo convey to you?

For the final image, here’s another reflection out a car window. I captured it on my cellphone when we were driving from Boston to Portsmouth last month. I love how monochrome highlights the dramatic sky, the silhouettes of the trees, and the sun glowing behind the clouds.

This week, we’re challenging you to show us photos with reflections and/or shadows captured or processed in monochrome. Use your favorite post-processing software like Photoshop or Lightroom. Feel free to process your image in different shades of blue, green, brown, or gray. You can also shoot your image in a setting that’s predominantly one color–like a blue sea and sky, for example. Be sure to include a link to this post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

If you’re new to LAPC, here’s a link that explains how to join us.

Last week we had a lot of fun exploring Donna’s theme–Messages. You found them everywhere–in nature, on the highway, on buildings, at home. You also discovered more subtle ones–like a hug or a smile. A special thanks to Donna for hosting a terrific challenge.

Next week, it’s Amy’s turn to lead us, so be sure to stop by her site on Saturday at noon EST. Until then, I hope you have a week filled with sunshine, inspiration, and plenty of photo opportunities!

Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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189 replies »

  3. Enjoyed your monochrome images, Patti. Great examples of how black and white draws your eye to lines, shadows and textures and adds to the mood you are trying to create with varying tones. Monochrome makes a powerful statement.

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    • Hi, Jane. That’s great to hear. I was hoping those features/details did what monochrome does so well. I agree. It can be a very powerful way to convey a message. I’m definitely going to explore it some more. Thanks so much for your thoughts. Your feedback is very helpful.

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  8. Great idea, Patti. It’s a wonderful topic and a top selection to illustrate. The reflecting building in the poodle is my absolute favorite. Seeing the gate of Auschwitz makes me shiver, but it works great (much more frightening and realistic) in bw.

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    • Hi Sofia. Thanks for your very kind thoughts on #1. I’m so happy you feel that way. I was thrilled to find that reflection literally under my feet!! It was a great moment. I loved your collection too….I’m still thinking about the Louvre at night…

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  13. I do like monochrome. Often details like texture and patterns are not noticed in a colour image. I like your Entoca shot, the woman walking past certainly adds to the scene as she totally ignores those beautiful doors! As for the moonlit view I prefer the sepia effect, the blue tones seem too harsh and the sky too noisy. I’ve got an idea for a post based on shadows and light.

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    • I agree! It’s true that monochrome brings out details that are sometimes obscured or lost in polychrome. I really enjoyed experimenting with changing different images into monochrome. The mood totally changes sometimes….like the woman walking past the enoteca. I agree with you about the sepia image for the river shot. It’s more subtle and soft. I’m glad you’re joining us! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

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    • Hi Dianne. I literally saw it at my feet! I was so excited! Thanks for your thoughts on that one. I hope you’re joining us this week. I can imagine you have some great photos for this one.

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  16. A beautiful post Patti – I’ll admit it really got me studying which images might benefit from a monochrome treatment. I especially enjoyed playing with the different tones. Each of your images shows a different perspective on how various treatments affect the mood of the capture. I thought you sepia vs blue example was especially powerful and of the two I preferred the sepia which gives the scene a more old-world feel. Interestingly I really loved your closing mirror image. Very clever and the tones really show off the clouds and the scene.

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    • Hi Tina. I had the same reaction to the challenge….it made me wonder which images would be suited to monochrome. The girl walking in Florence was a surprise. So was the car mirror. I totally agree with your thoughts on the sepia vs. blue. Next, I’ll take a look at your collection! I’ll be in touch soon!

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    • Hi Dan. It’s wonderful to hear your thoughts on that one. It was a very lucky find…literally at my feet! I hope you can join us this week. Thanks for your kind words and stopping by!

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  23. Yes, I agree, monochrome really works well for both shadows and reflections and I love your examples. This is a topic after my own heart but as we’re away for a few weeks I’ll be sitting this one out! As to your Arno pair, my own preference is for the sepia edit. The softer shade suits the scene better I feel.

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  24. Love that first one, Patti, and I had a great time doing this challenge. I appreciate the theme being announced in advance and I put my post together that weekend which was a great help. I always find it interesting to see how different a photo looks in monochrome than in color. Not all do well with the transition but you notice and can emphasize different things. It’s so easy to experiment with digital!

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    • Hi Janet. Thanks. I was so happy to find the puddle at my feet!! I agree….it’s interesting to see how some photos are enhanced in monochrome vs color. I’m delighted you’re joining us! I’ll look at your images next.

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  33. Incredible challenge Patti… of course, all someone has to say to me is “monochrome” or “black-and-white” and I start thinking about how to best make them.
    We are back from our cruise, so I have a fresh set of images to experiment with in post-processing. Great timing, Patti!

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    • I’m delighted you joined us and enjoyed my examples. I am so happy the image out the car window worked…I had to take a few (!!) to get it just right. And I loved your clouds/reflections. Beautiful!

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    • Hi Beth. You really know how to make me smile!! Thanks so much. You prefer the blue. It definitely is a different mood from the sepia, I think. It’s interesting how the color/tint changes the mood. The image of the girl came out so much better in monochrome. Fascinating how that can happen with some images! Take care and have a good week.

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    • Thanks, Amy! I’m glad you like the second one. It was such a powerful place. Monochrome really fit the mood there. Thanks too for your kind words on the others! I’ll look at your post next. Have a great week!

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    • I’m delighted that you added your icicle to our collection this week! It’s a beautiful image. And thanks also for your kind words about my photos. I love the sunsets here, too. That one faces the Oltrarno, which is a different direction than usual! Have a great week. I hope the temperatures rise.

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  54. This is a fascinating challenge, Patti! Thank you for letting us in on this great theme. I will chime in with so many others – all great examples from you, but the puddle is the star.

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    • Hi, Karina. Wonderful! I’m delighted you like the theme and the car mirror. It was fun trying to capture the scene while we were on the road. (I wasn’t driving. 🙂 )

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  63. I learned a lot from this challenge and I am sure others did too. There are definitely why’s behind using monochrome. Sometimes it just makes a photo better. I also learned that monochrome can be in various colors too. ( I liked the sepia one overlooking the Arno the best)

    The reflection of the Piazza di Santa Croce was a special find. And before I read what it was, thought it was abstract. Very cool. I was COMPLETELY moved by the gate a Auschwitz. Was 10 when I first visited a concentration camp. I remember being so confused. The reflection/shadow speaks volumes, in different ways to different people.

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    • Hi, Donna. Wow. Thanks so much for your thoughtful and insightful comments. I learned a lot this week, too, about which photos would be best in monochrome, but there were some surprises…like the girl walking on the street. I didn’t think much of the photo in color, but loved it in b & w. So interesting. And thanks for your thoughts on the Arno image–sepia is the favorite one–and the puddle shot and the concentration camp. I really learn from your reaction. 🙂 Have a great week on the road or at home.

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  67. Nice photos.
    I think you’ve captured a strong sense of space in these photos, and I feel the first one also has a sense of displacement.
    I also like how the two comparative colourings on the Florence shot show how the feel of a photo can change with small alterations.

    Here’s mine for this one:

    Skull Flowers

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    • Hi SH. I’m glad you added Skull Flowers to our collection. It’s a great mood shot. It’s good to hear that the comparison of tones was interesting–in the Arno shot. I see what you mean about a sense of displacement for the first reflection shot. Makes sense!

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  75. Beautiful set, including the puddle in the flagstones of Firenze. I like the way you’ve used monochrome to confuse a modern image with an old one, and made us think about our notions in that photo of the enoteca.

    It’s a great challenge, and I wish I had the time this week to participate properly. But since I’m still travelling on work, I’ll just enter a photo that I posted last week. Strangely, I’d used exactly your challenge phrase in the text accompanying the photo.

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    • So we think alike, do we?? The same phrase! I love that. I’m delighted you enjoyed my collection and was able to contribute to the challenge. It’s hard when you’re traveling for work to find the time. One of the fascinating things about Italy is the juxtaposition of the past and the present. I’m glad you enjoyed the juxtaposition in the enoteca shot. Have a good week and safe travels back home.

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  79. Hi Patti, you have an amazing assortment of pictures and finishes taken in such a romantic, photographic place – Italy. I saw several bloggers had participated in this week’s challenge, and I loved the topic of black & white/grayscale so I had to join in. I particularly love your first photo.

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    • Wonderful, Marsha. Thanks so much for your kind words on the first photo. I was so excited to find it right there at my feet! And yes, it’s so true. It’s easy to find places to photograph in Italy! I’m glad you joined us!

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      • My first husband and I visited friends who were stationed in Italy. We traveled to Venice, Rome, Florence and had a short trip alone to Athens. It was glorious. Florence was my favorite, though. I loved all the art in everything there. It was amazing to be still drinking water from 2,000-year-old aquaducts. Thanks for dredging up some wonderful memories.

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