Do people prefer B&W or Color Wedding Photographs? If B&W, are thy good enough from Digital Photographers?

Question

I am doing some research about Black and White Photography, and thought this is a good place to start. I have been under the impression that today digital wedding photographers really do not pay as much attention to final product, and instead give their customer photographs straight from their camera, and let the customer do with the photographs whatever they choose. Do you other people think the same way?

I am doing research for a new article which I will be publishing on wiki.worldonpaper.com

Thanks All.

Answer 1

Hi,

As a digital photographer myself, personally, the final product is everything to me. Each image is proof of what I can give to a potential client. I get work mainly from word of mouth and every photograph I take is individual and special, just like the client.

When I have shot the wedding, I sort through the images to ensure only the best ones are presented as proofs to the client. They will then look through the images to choose which ones they would like to keep. I give suggestions as to which would look better in B&W based on my experience as a photographer.

B&W can look very 'arty' if the right images are used. Obviosly any images that have a lot of colour, ie flowers, cake etc would be better in colour and as a general rule, scenes with a lot of detail look better in B&W as colour can sometimes be distracting.

I do know of photographers than run a system where the client chooses the images and then simply prints them or worse still, just gives the images on CD/DVD and the clients has to print them themselves, but professionals will take time to retouch images so they look the best they can for years to come. After all, once the cake has been eaten, the suits returned and the honeymoon is over, the photographs will the lasting memory of the couples special day.

Hope that helps.

AJ

Answer 2

Most of my clients prefer B&W. I went digital for the control that film would not allow. If a photographer knows how to use their camera, and there isn't any interference, the images are beautiful. Of course a lot has to do with how the images are printed ( I use a pro service and have them printed at 300 DPI) so the home-style computer prints cannot compare.

I have seen many hobbyists hang out a 'Pro" shingle and give the rest of us a bad name. It all has to do with skill. It is a problem when the good photogs are confused w/the bad. It causes bad impressions like yours.

Weddings are tough, film or digi. A lot of people take digital cameras to weddings and get in the way- other flashes can cause problems. Some photogs (pro and amateur) shoot sloppy and plan to fix later. Some still shoot film, but I see that as even riskier as you can loose a whole roll and not know until it is too late. I have had my challenges in overhead lit churches, low-light receptions and couples who want to rush, but overall I have excellent results.

I get a lot of questions about film v digital quality. People see snap-shotty digital wedding images and aren't impressed, of course. Speaking from experience, many noisy or soft images can be corrected and the photographer should let the client know which images they don't recommend at sizes printed larger than 5x7. Again, there is a lot to be said for DPI and professional printing.

I used to edit the best and put on CD for the couples to print. I quit when I realized they were taking the images to drugstores or printing at home and getting bad results. That stopped quickly- when I edit an image I know how it should print. No way can I let my reputation be ruined because someone went to a bargain print processor.

As for my shoots, the black & white images usually end up being the favorites- many showstoppers. Many clients who would not have chosen b&w have later purchased prints in b&w because they realize how it evens out odd skin tones, blemishes and shadowing.

So to answer your question, yes, people think the same as you and with good reason. I do believe that will change once people either learn to shoot & print digital or go back to being hobbyists and quit scaring people.

Answer 3

I used to work as an assistant for a professional photographer who had his own processing equipment. He shot both film and digital. I was 100% in charge of developing the film, printing the photos and putting together the proof albums. Once all the photos were organized I selected my favorites and printed copies of them in black and white to include as samples. Every customer chose at least 1 black and white print.
There is an indescribable timeless beauty, and sense of romance with black and white photography. More is left to the imagination. Some of my favorite prints we made were Black and white and then we used Photoshop to create accent color usually for the flowers, or just a hint of color in the eyes, cheeks and lips, very romantic.

Answer 4

We have been in the process of interviewing new labs and that seems to be case. They don't want to take the time to learn how to do it.

We take the time to produce a polished product. In your article, please mention that there are some digital photographers that can do color management and make work that looks like medium format - we do.

Answer 5

I prefer B&W wedding photos. Too many times, someone in your wedding party did their own makeup and look washed out or like a clown. B&W photos don't have that problem, and I think they are a bit more timeless. Luckily, you can also turn all your color photos to B&W in photoshop :) I did

Answer 6

I've heard that, too, but personally, I'd like to hold the actual photograph in my hand. It seems kind of cold and impersonal to hand over a disc.

Answer 7

I love the look of black and white pictures, they are much more romantic
Another great think about balck and white is that they they minimize flaws in your pictures
i would invest in a professional photographer, ask to see a book of his black and white photos

Answer 8

Go with the real film!

There was a woman on this board the other day, who said her pic were all miscolored/ I wonder if the photographer will fix them.

Answer 9

I prefer colored. Color helps you remember specific things, such as the clothing on people, the season. etc. Black and white looks great for one special pose of the bride and groom.

Answer 10

i personally like both i think that the black and white just make it look simple and clean. however color adds life and joy and you can see the complexity of it with color.