I photographed Hiroto last year in Japan, out on the competition beach. I’ll make the 2.5 hour trek to surfing tomorrow. Can’t wait. Long glass sport for sure, so toting an 800mm, and a 200-400. Very different from the pictures here, which are all one light portraits. Got lucky with some interesting clouds, and was fascinated by the geometry of the breakwaters.
Bad weather is coming early in the coming week, so the swells might be pretty cool for all the competitors. This of course coming from someone who has literally never been on a surfboard.
Whenever I’m lighting something, and I get clouds like this, I tend to think black and white. Court of public opinion, what do you guys think?
So, up at 3am, off to the Transit Mall, early bus to the water. As a photographer, all I can do is go see. That’s what we do. If the surf’s up, or not, we go. If the weather is inclement or excellent, we go. If the situation is wonderful or the opposite, we go. Can’t make a picture on the phone. Gotta go.
I’m looking forward to the surprises and action of this amazing sport tomorrow, in Japan.
More to come from Tokyo…..
“Court of public opinion, what do you guys think?”
To be honest, these are the rare examples of photos that look as good in black and white as they do in color. There’s enough contrast that they read well in monochrome without the need for color to take over, but the colors look good. My eye tends to be drawn towards color images, so if I were a picture buyer I’d go for the color versions.
Joe. You are the consummate “We-Go” Pro. Always an inspiration. Thank You.
B&W vs. colour is often a tough call, because colour can Be a subject unto itself. With a lot of Eric Meola’s work (for example) colour IS the subject.
In these three images the grayscale versions offer a more gritty view of the scene, but the colours are so muted overall that I think the splash of vitality to an otherwise mostly monochrome day.
YMMV!!
Hugs,
M&M
Spot on, Mike….Eric and I went to Syracuse U, same photo program, though he was a few years ahead of me. Great shooter….all best and thanks!
Very kind words…much appreciated Jeff….thanks as always for stopping by the blog.
Cool, good perspective. The board is a graphic and colorful item, so my tendency is to lean into the color as well….
Of course I love anything you do! I tend to lean towards color but I like both! Take care and stay safe!
Your question on black and white for clouds goes both ways for me. Sometimes you can get some pretty insane blues behind and through the openings which make for some interesting background. With out those blues though, I would have to agree with the black and white approach. Hang ten Joe, enjoy your times!
les noir et blanc plus fortes
I like both color and black and white, I also agree about the graphic aspect of the board, that’s maybe why I’d go color 1 and 3 and number two, since there are no that much graphics, black and white.
The color of the board stands out so much in a monochromatic setting that it almost becomes the subject so I’d vote for b&w
Joe, I love your black and whites, but for these I love the color ones. 🙂 Anything you do is going to be outstanding. Best Light, and please keep the posts coming. I love traveling vicariously with you.
I tend to “see more” in the B&W renderings and they get my vote. Personally, I love anything produced by Joe McNally, the master!
Very kind, Jim….thanks for taking a look. B&W is so beautifully durable.