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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Newbie Discussion => Topic started by: jwsc101 on August 22, 2012, 15:49

Title: colour or black and white images
Post by: jwsc101 on August 22, 2012, 15:49

Hi

For my 'normal' photography I tend to prefer black and white images but have usually stuck with submitting colour images for stock.  I am starting to ask myself why?

Does anyone have any experience on acceptance rates and/or sales of B&W images?  I mainly submit to dreamstime.

thanks

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: tab62 on August 22, 2012, 16:12

FYI


http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/black-and-white/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/black-and-white/)

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: sharpshot on August 22, 2012, 17:36

Is there anyone doing well just selling b&w?  I have tried a few but I think buyers can just turn my colour photos in to b&w if they want.

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: Grisho on August 22, 2012, 17:47

My best selling photograph is a black and white image from New York. It didn't look that good in colour. There are images which just stand out if they are in black and white, but it has to done very carefully - not just converting the image to monochrome.

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: Perry on August 22, 2012, 18:28

Quote from: sharpshot on August 22, 2012, 17:36

Is there anyone doing well just selling b&w?  I have tried a few but I think buyers can just turn my colour photos in to b&w if they want.

Most of people are not able to do a GOOD conversion to B/W, they don't understand how to filter etc.

I have a few black and white images, they do sell. I have converted the images to B/W either because
#1 it suits the subject
#2 the image has bad color (mixed light sources or bad props)

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: tab62 on August 22, 2012, 22:23

I personally like b/w for more detail on some of my pics (fish photos for example) but have never attempted to upload them to the hungry stock editors...

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on August 23, 2012, 01:34

Quote from: Perry on August 22, 2012, 18:28

Most of people are not able to do a GOOD conversion to B/W, they don't understand how to filter etc.

Exactly. Everyone can convert RGB to Grayscale, but that's not how proper b/w is supposed to work.

E.g., reds and greens look almost the same with a simple desaturation, while they used to look quite different on film. We can simulate film profiles and get better b/w conversion than most customers can.

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: gyllens on August 23, 2012, 02:49

Quote from: microstockphoto.co.uk on August 23, 2012, 01:34

Quote from: Perry on August 22, 2012, 18:28

Most of people are not able to do a GOOD conversion to B/W, they don't understand how to filter etc.

Exactly. Everyone can convert RGB to Grayscale, but that's not how proper b/w is supposed to work.

E.g., reds and greens look almost the same with a simple desaturation, while they used to look quite different on film. We can simulate film profiles and get better b/w conversion than most customers can.

Mixing channels is the way to go. Good for Ansel Adams type of photography.

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: Wim on August 23, 2012, 03:10

I have a few popular B&W sellers but nothing like color variants.
Also most agencies will reject these because of the simple fact that the buyer is limited in his editing.
Perry is correct, if the image lacks color variation or the lighting is bad then most of the time it will look a lot better in B&W.
You still have to work the image but I think you are already capable of that since it's your main style of photography.

Good luck with reviews if you're taking that route mate ;)

Title: Re: colour or black and white images
Post by: WarrenPrice on August 23, 2012, 13:01

I sell a few B&W images.  Things like old steam trains, farm life, "historical/nostalgic" stuff.