Black and white film in the Caribbean. Mistake?

Even great color photos always have a "holiday brochure" look about them - at least to me. It's a distraction. A B&W photo really makes me look at the photo - the lines, shadows, and texture.

Be sure to take filters: e.g. yellow, orange, a polarizer.

bvy said:

How timely. I'm in St. Martin and am having this dilemma right now! Luckily I had Provia in my Yashica Mat today. A group of young boys approached me. They had some blue dye all over their chests (called themselves Smurfs) and demanded a picture. Black and white film wouldn't have cut it. Of course this was dumb luck; you can't plan these things. I finished the roll and all I have left is Acros in 120. And expired Velvia which would probably be awful for portraits.

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...and these would be the moments where I'd kick myself for only having black and white. I think what I may do is bring two cameras. My "good" camera with black and white and a point and shoot with colour. I have a ton of colour photos from previous trips and they're all starting to look the same. That being said, a small backup for colour might be a good idea for those times where the subject of the shot is the colour and not the object. I really want to limit how much I take with me though.

I would rather go in this direction: it is important that you register the emotions that you have while visiting Caribbean. Do you do this better in B&W or in color? Which final result (prints in color or prints in B&W) will make better job in return of those feeling back when you are home?

darkosaric said:

I would rather go in this direction: it is important that you register the emotions that you have while visiting Caribbean. Do you do this better in B&W or in color? Which final result (prints in color or prints in B&W) will make better job in return of those feeling back when you are home?

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Well, here's the thing. I've got quite a few vacation photos. They've been mostly family snapshots rather than "artistic" photos. This time I'm going with the intent of trying to produce some more artistic results. I know that can be done in both black and white and in colour. That being said, I'm looking for a striking difference from my previous photos and that's why I thought maybe I'd try black and white. I'm also planning to get away from wide angle (because that's traditionally what I've shot in the past). I'm really looking for a break from everything that's come before. That being said, the kids are coming this time and it'll likely be one of the last family vacations as they're all getting older. That's why I think I've decided to bring a small point and shoot with some colour film for those spontaneous moments. All my black and white shots will likely be pre-planned photos of structures/cities along with whatever unique situations that present themselves.

How many photographs of bright blue sky, fluffy white clouds and turquoise water do you need? I frequently shoot B&W in the Bahamas and Caribbean. With color film, sometimes scenes in the islands pratically take themselves, but when you get home, the photographs frequently have a sameness to them.

I would definitely take a yellow filter, and highly recommend a polarizing filter and red filter. Just in case, I generally keep a Fuji recyclable camera with me just in case.

Looking through my vacation photographs, I have found that a disproportionate number of my favorites are in black and white. Oftentimes, the wonderful colors of the Caribbean can distract from the focal point of your photographs.

Wallendo said:

How many photographs of bright blue sky, fluffy white clouds and turquoise water do you need? I frequently shoot B&W in the Bahamas and Caribbean. With color film, sometimes scenes in the islands pratically take themselves, but when you get home, the photographs frequently have a sameness to them.

I would definitely take a yellow filter, and highly recommend a polarizing filter and red filter. Just in case, I generally keep a Fuji recyclable camera with me just in case.

Looking through my vacation photographs, I have found that a disproportionate number of my favorites are in black and white. Oftentimes, the wonderful colors of the Caribbean can distract from the focal point of your photographs.

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Well, here's the thing. I've got quite a few vacation photos. They've been mostly family snapshots rather than "artistic" photos. This time I'm going with the intent of trying to produce some more artistic results. I know that can be done in both black and white and in colour. That being said, I'm looking for a striking difference from my previous photos and that's why I thought maybe I'd try black and white. I'm also planning to get away from wide angle (because that's traditionally what I've shot in the past). I'm really looking for a break from everything that's come before. That being said, the kids are coming this time and it'll likely be one of the last family vacations as they're all getting older. That's why I think I've decided to bring a small point and shoot with some colour film for those spontaneous moments. All my black and white shots will likely be pre-planned photos of structures/cities along with whatever unique situations that present themselves.

If you leave the wide angle lens aside, you will find you are looking at things for more details and close ups. Hence the panorama shots that show little or no detail will not be taken this trip.

Ces1um said:

Well everyone raises great points. I think I'll go with some black and white film. I'm also very intrigued by the idea of black and white underwater photography. I think I'll give that one a go too!

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Don't forget b/w filters for more creative options. Also, why not try infrared?


Best regards

Marcelo

Ces1um said:

Well, here's the thing

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Then it is clear - 2 cameras, one for B&W, and one for color. Just make sure that they are not too heavy .

I like the two camera idea. But as you can see during this impromptu meet and greet yesterday (I'm in St. Martin), at least one heavy camera came along. These kids were totally intrigued with the finder. Tomorrow, my last day here, it's Acros.

I haven't been to St. Martin for a couple of years, but when I was there I think I was to the dutch side- St. Maarten. Pretty spot!