Winter In B&W
In the winter I like to challenge myself to produce a few black & white images. Often times the scenes seem monochromatic right from the start. Snow lends some white often contrasting elegantly with other elements in a scene. It helps define the contours of the mountains. Trees also look beautiful in winter, and in black and white … exposing their lines and bare form more clearly. We have had plenty of snow and following are some B&W images Mother Nature, my camera and I created this winter.
‘Long Shadows On Snow’ © Denise Bush
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‘January Moon’ © Denise Bush
‘Winter Road To Sneffels’ © Denise Bush
‘Winter Lookout’ © Denise Bush
‘Aspen Snow Shadows’ © Denise Bush
‘Classic Sneffels’ © Denise Bush
‘A Creek Runs Through It’ © Denise Bush
Are you a fan of B&W photography? Check out my ‘BLACK & WHITE’ Gallery HERE!
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Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography | 47 Comments
Tags: B&W, monochrome, mountains, San Juan Mountains, snow, winter
Denise Bush\’s Photo Blog
Denise Bush's Photo Blog 
Denise, We always love seeing your masterpieces. And they are just that along with God’s beauty. You are a true master of your art. Thanks for sharing your lovely images. Mary Ann Silvers
So nice to hear from you Mary Ann! I was thinking of you not long ago and wondered if you were still following. Thank you so much!!! XO
The contrast between the long shadows on the snowfield and the bright sky really gives that extra to the first picture.
Thanks Hans! Out of the group I also chose that one for my online store.
All images well done, as usual, and Winter Road delivers a wonderful perspective.
Hi Michael! Thanks so much. I am glad to hear you say that. I struggled with that one a bit and ended up reprocessing it to my satisfaction.
These are all remarkable photos, Denise. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much Bruce! I’m very glad you like them!
“Aspen Snow Shadows” is especially appealing. I like the way the tree shadows are curved by the contours of the snow.
Thanks Ken. The only time to see shadows so clearly is in a snowy forest. I’m always noticing them and looking for clean compositions.
Beautiful! Love b&w images. “A Creek Runs Through It” is my favorite!
As you said, winter gives you a big head start on monochrome, what with snow and the absence of so much foliage. Have you ever experimented with reducing color saturation rather than eliminating it altogether?
Hi Steve. Yes, I have done that by combining a color version with a B&W version. I’ve done it on layers and the n adjusted the opacity of the layers. At this point I think I am more of a purist, rather than dabbling with techniques or filters. Thanks for visiting!
I’m definitely a fan of your black and white works.
Thanks so much Barry … that means a lot to me! 😊
Well done, Denise. I enjoyed viewing your images as always, but it was a bit hard to see the details in such small images. Wish I had been there with you.
Hi Ken. I know the blog images are small … it is due to the template I use and the images are sized accordingly. If I went to a larger template the small sized images already posted would enlarge and not look sharp. If I started a new blog I’d lose my archives and followers. I post a lot here and don’t mind restricting the size since my website and store displays larger images. I think a lot of people look on their phones too. I started another blog with larger images but it is geared more toward wall art and selling. Thanks so much for your visit and thoughts.
I understood that. I was not asking you to change anything. Just mentioning that I could not see the details.
I love all of these beauties and the Aspen shadows image was so unique – great set!
I am always noticing the long tree shadows in the snow. I was happy to find this spot with the pristine snow. Thanks very much!
Beautiful monochromes, Denise! Winter landscapes are ideal for B&W, aren’t they? My favorites are ‘Aspen Snow Shadows’ (love those long lines) and ‘Winter Lookout’ (what a cool tree 🙂 ).
Hi Eliza! Thanks for letting me know which spoke to you most!
Such beautiful images!! A Creek Runs Through It is just amazing. Love them all.
Thanks very much Bonnie! I’m happy you like! XO
Beautiful as usual
Hi Ken! Thanks very much … nice to hear from you! I’m glad you like them’ 😊
Stunning! I was only thinking the other day that I should do some B&W photography again soon.
Thank you! I shoot in color and decide whether to covert to B&W later. I think only a small percentage of my captures work better in B&W.
You always expect to see landscapes in colour. But as you demonstrate, it is also worth to see monochrome versions. You look at them differently and take in the forms, shapes and shadows more than you would in a colour photo.
Excellent series, Denise.
I agree rabirius! B&W images provide a different viewing experience!
Winter is kind of black and white anyway, if there’s snow. Might as well milk it. Think I like ‘Classic Sneffels’ the best.
Yes … I agree as stated in my opening paragraph. Thanks very much for your visit, comment and letting me know what might be your favorite!
Nicely seen. Nicely done. Really hard to pick favorites, but I think Long Shadows and January Moon stole my heart right off the bat.
Thanks Linda! It is not necessary to pick a favorite but I am always interested in your thoughts and opinions!
It’s always hard to pick a favorite, but I try to pay attention to and share which images hold my eye the longest.
They’re all so pretty! I love the road to Sneffels, and the ones with the long shadows, and the one with the Moon.
Thank you Deborah … glad you like! We have more snow in the forecast. When life gives you snow, make snowtographs!
Yes!! We too have more snow on the way. I just came in from shoveling last night’s snow from the driveway, the street in front of the driveway, and the sidewalk in prep for the snow due later today.
Stay warm and safe!
The Winter Road and Aspen Shadows have such an appealingly fresh look, exactly what one associates with newly fallen snow. “January Moon” is wonderful – what a sight that must have been to see in person. The last photo may be my favorite – there is such a cozy feeling to it, everything seems snuggled up together and I love the way the foreground seems to be plunging forward or down – well, I can’t quite describe it but you get it, I’m sure. 🙂 Nice set, Denise!
I appreciate your artistic sensibilities Lynn! Thanks very much for letting me know what appeals to you and why!
🙂
Great shots as always, Denise. Sneffels always steal the spotlight. 🙂
Thanks Steve! You know … at times it’s hard to avoid Sneffels! I was photographing it again just yesterday morning.
Really good photos. Black and white photography always has appealed to me very much. It’s got a direct kind of vibe. Mysterious too, sometimes.
I recall your post about how you relate to colors so this too is interesting. I’ll catch up with your blog today and will look for a future post about B&W! Thanks for your visit and comment!
Hola! Wow! Love this gallery of black and white. A definitive favorite is “Winter Lookout.” That magnificent tree looks like a Hogwarts Castle transplant! The series, of course, represents your beautiful compositional gifts.
Thanks Carlos! That tree in ‘Winter Lookout’ catches my eye every time I pass by. I’ve photographed it before!