Photographer: Michel Rajkovic

Location: Greece

The texture difference between the water and the rocks is phenomenal. The black and white theme aids in highlighting the softness of the water and the hardness of the rocks. This photographer has a knack for creating ghostly landscapes that are both captivating and frightening. The opening in the rocks gives the sense of the "unknown" in the world, which is both exciting and scary at the same time. Some of the areas on the rocks are a little blown out and the center of the photo (in the water) is somewhat bright. I would play with the adjustments of the levels in this photos so that the midtones are more dominant that the shadows or highlights themselves.

Photographer: Marty Knapp

Location: Giacomini Wetlands Trail

Foliage/Nature shots are always beautiful in black and white. The whiteness of the plants almost look as if they're illuminated and glowing, which adds a mystical feel to the photo. The dark tree branches create a natural frame that help hold the composition together. The light source creates a slight divide between black and white on the left and right side of the photo, while in the center it comes together in mutual shades of grays, blacks and whites which connect the left and right side of the photo. This photo would look good in full color, but I feel it would lose its charm that the black and white theme gives the composition.

Photographer: Paul Politis

Location: New York City

What drew me to this black and white photo is the obviousness of the light source. Being in black and white, the light source is accentuated when it hits the sides of the buildings which helps add depth and height to the photo. It gives the viewer the sense of feeling small when looking at these buildings. Being in black and white helps highlight their enormity. The photo is also kept in a simplistic black and white color scheme since there are 3 main shades: the dark side of the buildings, the light side of the buildings, and then the gray of the sky. Simplicity enhances focus on the buildings and the viewer's eye won't get so distracted trying to pick out hundreds of different shades of whites, blacks and grays. 

Photographer: Cole Thompson

Location: Devil's Tower, Wyoming

Though it's daylight, Thompson did a great job in creating this black and white photo without blowing out the sky. Having the sky darkened adds for greater contrast against the clouds and Devil's Tower. The trees at the bottom of the photograph loose a great deal of detail, a downside to being in black and white. It could also be a good thing, however, because it allows for more focus on the main subject of the photo itself: Devil's Tower. My favorite part of this black and white photo is the vast amount of negative space the sky gives. It's beautiful and almost seems like it has a hint of a gradient to it as the sky meet the clouds. An all around great shot. with great balance between the heaviness of black and the lightness of white, with the right amount of grays in between to add visual depth to this photo. 

Photographer: Cole Thompson

Location: Death Valley, California

This black and white photo shares the same eerie, foreboding feeling that the location of it gives. Being in black and white, the photographer puts emphasis on the road, making it as alluring as possible. I would perhaps try to darken the sky a little more so that is doesn't battle for attention with the lightness of the road. Simple and captivating, having this photo in black and white gives the viewer a feeling of stepping into another world and only being able to go down one path. The mountains off in the distance with the road disappearing over the hill gives a sense of mystery and curiosity.  

Photographer: Hugh Honeyman

Location: Unknown

I chose this picture because it stood out to me as a good composition, but bad choice of using a greyscale, black and white theme. This photo is too busy to be in black and white, it's starting to look cluttered and it's difficult to separate one object from the next. If it were in color, the viewer would have an easier time determining all of the separate parts of this metro shot. The photographer could have at least made the contrast heavier in this shot to help get rid of all of the grayer tones that are making this shot so mashed up.

Photographer: Shane Gross

Location: Somewhere off the East Coast

Not my favorite shot, simply because it's somewhat boring to me. Black and white can add drama to the right shot, sure, but I think I would rather see this shot in color with the whale being its true gray color surrounded by its blue environment. However, I do enjoy the texture of the whale that's brought out by the blacks, whites and grays. It's as if it defines the texture more so than a color shot would.