Thematic Almost (but not quite) monochrome

Wasp · 12-07-2019, 03:19 PM - **1 Like**

I have noticed lately that some of my pictures are almost monochromatic, with only little blotches of color. Downtown Johannesburg in the harsh summer sunlight is just that way. I could just make them monochrome in Darktable. The images would probably be improved, but for some reason I like them this way. Here is an example of what I am on about. If I cropped out the traffic light there would be almost no color left. There was no post processing needed to achieve the effect. I only tweaked the exposure and contrast.

Join in and show us the best of the worst sort of light and scenery. I am not talking about monochrome with spot color, but if you want to do those it is OK with me.

StephenHampshire · 12-07-2019, 03:29 PM - **8 Likes**

One from earlier this year

Wasp · 12-07-2019, 03:33 PM - **4 Likes**

Downtown Johannesburg, late afternoon. Not a colorful place, as I said before.

**mlt** · 12-07-2019, 04:11 PM

Interesting tonal range, almost looks like outdated or badly processed slide film. Is it possible the white balance settings on your K-10 have gotten out of wack?

Wasp · 12-07-2019, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by mlt

Interesting tonal range, almost looks like outdated or badly processed slide film. Is it possible the white balance settings on your K-10 have gotten out of wack?

The first image was taken with a Samsung NX100 and the white balance was indeed on manual - well spotted. I had to check the EXIF myself, didn't even realise it. This explain the edgy pictures that I have been taking lately!

I might just keep it that way...

The second was taken with a Samsung NX1 on auto white balance - no real problems there.

timb64 · 12-07-2019, 04:51 PM - **5 Likes**

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-07-2019, 08:51 PM - **4 Likes**

Snow on the ground and in the air make the corn stalks and bales the only color in this one.

**Vaskebjorn** · 12-08-2019, 01:00 AM - **3 Likes**

Wasp · 12-08-2019, 02:56 AM - **4 Likes**

Rainy day in downtown Johannesburg.

noelpolar · 12-08-2019, 04:32 AM - **5 Likes**

Moon gazing?

timb64 · 12-08-2019, 04:53 AM - **2 Likes**

The resilience of nature

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-08-2019, 08:10 AM - **7 Likes**

I left this a cold blueish white, because it was bitter cold.

Wasp · 12-08-2019, 08:48 AM

Breaking the rules here. Little color, straight into the harsh light, subject misfocused, a hint of flare - just right.

**othar** · 12-08-2019, 01:30 PM - **2 Likes**

K-3 + DAL 18-55mm WR.
Not the best visibility conditions for skiing down, but still nice to photograph.

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-08-2019, 02:32 PM - **5 Likes**

12-07-2019, 03:19 PM - 1 Like	#1
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Almost (but not quite) monochrome I have noticed lately that some of my pictures are almost monochromatic, with only little blotches of color. Downtown Johannesburg in the harsh summer sunlight is just that way. I could just make them monochrome in Darktable. The images would probably be improved, but for some reason I like them this way. Here is an example of what I am on about. If I cropped out the traffic light there would be almost no color left. There was no post processing needed to achieve the effect. I only tweaked the exposure and contrast. Join in and show us the best of the worst sort of light and scenery. I am not talking about monochrome with spot color, but if you want to do those it is OK with me.

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12-07-2019, 03:29 PM - 8 Likes	#2
StephenHampshire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winchester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,523	One from earlier this year

12-07-2019, 03:33 PM - 4 Likes	#3
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661 Original Poster	Downtown Johannesburg, late afternoon. Not a colorful place, as I said before.

12-07-2019, 04:11 PM	#4
mlt Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,159	Interesting tonal range, almost looks like outdated or badly processed slide film. Is it possible the white balance settings on your K-10 have gotten out of wack?

12-07-2019, 04:32 PM	#5
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661 Original Poster	Originally posted by mlt Interesting tonal range, almost looks like outdated or badly processed slide film. Is it possible the white balance settings on your K-10 have gotten out of wack? The first image was taken with a Samsung NX100 and the white balance was indeed on manual - well spotted. I had to check the EXIF myself, didn't even realise it. This explain the edgy pictures that I have been taking lately! I might just keep it that way... The second was taken with a Samsung NX1 on auto white balance - no real problems there.

12-07-2019, 04:51 PM - 5 Likes	#6
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514

12-07-2019, 08:51 PM - 4 Likes	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Snow on the ground and in the air make the corn stalks and bales the only color in this one.

12-08-2019, 01:00 AM - 3 Likes	#8
Vaskebjorn Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Almere, The Netherlands Posts: 1,671

12-08-2019, 02:56 AM - 4 Likes	#9
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661 Original Poster	Rainy day in downtown Johannesburg.

12-08-2019, 04:32 AM - 5 Likes	#10
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Moon gazing?

12-08-2019, 04:53 AM - 2 Likes	#11
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	The resilience of nature

12-08-2019, 08:10 AM - 7 Likes	#12
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	I left this a cold blueish white, because it was bitter cold.

12-08-2019, 08:48 AM	#13
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661 Original Poster	Breaking the rules here. Little color, straight into the harsh light, subject misfocused, a hint of flare - just right.

12-08-2019, 01:30 PM - 2 Likes	#14
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	K-3 + DAL 18-55mm WR. Not the best visibility conditions for skiing down, but still nice to photograph.

12-08-2019, 02:32 PM - 5 Likes	#15
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295