Hawaii is a lush tropical paradise with deep blue waters, vibrantly hued flowers and, of course, the occasional rainbow. For that reason, it's easy to understand why our clients are looking for colorful photos to take home with them from their photo session in Hawaii. As we present our collections, more often than not, the black and white photos are discarded, with preference given to the vividly pigmented ones.
As a Hawaii photographer, why even offer black and white photos, right? Well, without fail, there is always a black and white image that makes a couple or a family pause. They see something in it they didn't notice in the other pictures. The lack of color somehow allows you to focus more on the subject, unveiling a dramatic and sentimental moment, and eliciting a more emotional response. Suddenly, the same photo tells two different stories.
Oftentimes, a photo will work better one way over the other, but there are certainly virtues to both:
Color
- Bold, vibrant colors are eye-catching
- Different colors can convey different meanings and atmospheres. Cool colors can be solemn and serious and warm colors can be bright and up-lifting.
- Colorful elements such as rainbows and sunsets are visually prominent, and would be lost in black and white.
Black and White
- Focus can be more easily drawn upon the subject without the distraction of color.
- High contrast black and whites create emotion and drama.
- Other elements of the photo may be more prominent, such as shadows and textures.
Do you have a preference for the richness of color photography, or an appreciation for the intensity of black and white. Or can you, like us, appreciate the beauty in both?
-written by Julia (Pacific Dream Photography at The Kahala Resort)