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Color is color is color is color

Click image for a larger view.

I've been in Woodstock for a photography workshop with Alex Webb last weekend. Originally I should have assisted him but there was not much left to do for me so I just enjoyed the workshop. I've written about the workshop before.

As already mentioned I enjoyed the two days a lot. But frankly spoken I didn't have the feeling to have learned a lot new. Two days are just a very limited time.

About a week later I see things in a different light, word-for-word, and I realize that I took something important with me from those two days with Alex and Rebecca.

I usually see black and white while photographing. Although I have the deepest respect for good color photography I just always had the feeling that it is so much harder to see in color.
Alex Webb was talking about color and light in his work. That color is about emotion. I started to grapple with that thought and looked through some of his books again, paying more attention to details and lightning. I am not saying that I suddenly turned into a color photographer but I have to admit that I am starting to see color images while wandering around on the streets of New York. I enjoy the warm light and shadows on late afternoons more and I'd say that this is something I didn't always pay enough attention to.

I took the image above last Thursday evening in Flushings, Queens. I passed by this billiard cafe, saw the people playing inside, the reflections in the window and I didn't even ask myself if this should be black and white or color. It was clear that it had to be a color photograph.

So this is what I took with me. I've been inspired to further develope my way of seeing. And it's great to have the possibility to choose, based on your subject, if you want to shoot in color or black and white. There is still a long way to go but let me tell you, I have so much joy going this way!

Posted by Martin Fuchs on September 6, 2005 10:06 PM