Night life – Black and white or colour for atmosphere?

No photos of the snow I’m afraid. I haven’t been well enough to go out in it or had to work to earn a crust instead of galivanting around with a camera. But I’ve been wanting to share these photos that I took before Christmas.

I took this in Mayfair – one of the most exclusive areas of London. But that doesn’t stop it having disused buildings. This poorly lit street has a sense of foreboding. This photo could have been taken at any time in the history of photography (though obviously not in colour).

In trying to convey that sinister sense of foreboding I converted it to black and white. I think the black and white gives it something but I’m not sure that it has a more foreboding atmosphere than the colour photo; it is probably less dramatic but more timeless.

I’d love to know your thoughts. Which do you prefer – the black and white or the colour?

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Tags: atmospheric, black and white, brooding, colour photography, darkness, foreboding, London, photograpy, Piccadilly, sinister, street photographer, Street photography, West End

15 thoughts on “Night life – Black and white or colour for atmosphere?”

Roger Bradley on 22/01/2013 at 12:38 am said:

Hi, my preference for be for the monochrome, as you point out, it has a timeless quality. I like the detail of the front of the building illuminated by the street and also the shadows cast by the people walking. The dark areas of the image serves to add to the mystery of the image.

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- sliceoflondonlife on 27/01/2013 at 11:52 am said:
  
  Thanks Roger. I’m definitely going to get out to try to do some more of these!
  
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andybeel on 22/01/2013 at 3:25 pm said:

Hi in the beginning was black and white. Black and white will always be the senior service with gallons more mood and atmosphere, this colour fad – will never catch on . Andy

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- sliceoflondonlife on 27/01/2013 at 11:51 am said:
  
  ;0)
  
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Susan Gilbert on 22/01/2013 at 5:52 pm said:

I agree for this atmospheric shot, monochrome definitely! I love the way the buildings on the left are looming over the street.

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- sliceoflondonlife on 27/01/2013 at 11:50 am said:
  
  Thanks Susan. The buildings are not in use and are looking a bit derelict – even though they are in Mayfair!
  
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John Tomkins on 23/01/2013 at 2:27 pm said:

Hey

Oh for the timeless majestry of ‘Fifty Shades of Greyscale’

The monochrome has much more atmosphere (reminds me a litle of ‘The Third Man’). Cannot see it on-line but a printed copy might even benefit with the addition of a little ‘noise’.

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- sliceoflondonlife on 27/01/2013 at 11:48 am said:
  
  Thanks John. I think I shall get this one printed.
  
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Bill Wellham on 23/01/2013 at 11:41 pm said:

Love the B&W! You have done a good job here. It is all very ‘film noir’, and could have come straight from the 1950s, 60s. I recently did a similar set of images as a ‘City Noir’ project . Check it out

http://movingsubjects.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/city-noir.html

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- sliceoflondonlife on 26/01/2013 at 1:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks Bill. I like your shots too. They’ve inspired me to go out and try to get more ‘noir-style images
  
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sliceoflondonlife on 26/01/2013 at 1:24 pm said:

Thanks everyone for your comments. I think the jury has definitely come down on the side of black and white. No quibbles here!

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Diggitydigg on 26/01/2013 at 3:49 pm said:

I was going to agree too! looks very Third Man in black and white!

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- sliceoflondonlife on 27/01/2013 at 11:47 am said:
  
  That’s another vote to get out with my camera this week and see if I can find other places I can make look like film noir.
  
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dave117111 on 13/02/2013 at 11:56 am said:

Where IS that in Mayfair? Fantastic in either b/w or colour!

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- sliceoflondonlife on 13/02/2013 at 11:59 am said:
  
  Just off Piccadilly. Thanks
  
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sliceoflondonlife