I Hate Selective Color
There was a time, not too long ago, that I enjoyed seeing images in "Selective Color" - most of the photo in black and white while some select portion is in color. Maybe it was because the first few times that I saw it done, it was done well. Or maybe it was because I had no idea how to do it, so there was some challenge to it. Now, however, I can hardly recall the last time that I saw an effective (or even pleasing) use of this type of editing.
Where It Fails
Our eyes naturally fall to areas of focus, light and color in a photograph. When you work with these elements in post processing, you must always ask yourself; "What story am I trying to tell?", "What am I trying to draw attention to?", and "How is this edit going to add or subtract from my goal?"
Often we learn a new skill and we want to try it out. Selective color is really a fairly easy thing to learn.. and it can really add something different to our work. SO, we find some photo with some bright colors and we are off to make some new art. Just because we CAN, it does not mean we SHOULD.
This first photo is a great illustration of this point. I often see children's photographers do this... color a single item of clothing or maybe just the eyes or a favorite toy. The remainder of the photo, including the child, is in black and white. This only pulls attention AWAY for the child and toward the object that is in color. In this photo, it is easy to miss this playful expression and amazing eyes.. I have seen many otherwise amazing shots ruined by the use of selective color. There was just no good reason to use it, but the photographer wanted to add something to the shot.
Where It Works
Where selective color works is for those rare occasions when you really do want to bring attention to a specific item within a photo.. for say.. the purpose of advertising.
In cases of promotion and advertising, it is often less about the subject as what the subject is wearing or doing. "Of course there is a beautiful woman in this photo.. and she is wearing OUR BRAND!" That is what somebody is getting paid for you to notice. Selective color can be used effectively in this instance.
In this second photo, Lakota ( our beautiful model), is barely noticed peaking out of her surroundings.. but you sure see that hat! An effective use of selective color.
Unfortunately, promotion/advertising is seldom the goal of so many photographers who use selective color to enhance their photos. I cringe when I see a beautiful bride reduced to black and white while a simple bouquet takes all the attention.
Dramatic Impact
Even though over-used (like HDR and many other gimmicks), I am not saying that it can never be used to add impact to a shot. As I mentioned earlier, light - focus AND color are tools to draw the viewer's attention. But as the artist, it is up to you to ensure that you are using your editing to enhance, to tell the story, and to bring attention to the most important parts of the scene. If your viewer is engaged more by the use of the selective color than the subject, then you have probably gone too far.
Revisited..
Thank you all for taking the time to read my thoughts.. I welcome yours...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Flowers on -
Way back in the day, when film reigned supreme... I used to hand colour the bouquet for all the brides I shot...and encase the image under vellum in their styled by hand "photo book".
When I switched to digital in 05, I didn't know how, nor did I have the software capabilities. It didn't take long to decide it didn't really matter because it was so over used till I no longer liked it. I am completely turned off by the red shoes and the red flower in the hair and the bright blue eyes...
I have recently begun incorporating it into a photo every now and again... here are a couple that I selectively coloured...
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Like a Little Bit of Sun.jpg, 88 KB -
2011-08-06 IMG_6315.jpg, 47 KB
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Permalink Reply by Papa Rotzzi on -
Thank you for the response, Miss Deb. I agree.. it can be used effectively.. and it can be very tired and over-used. (Just like most every one of these photo gimmicks like HDR..)
I really like the waterlily shot, the second, not as much. ( I think the second.. may be better with lower saturation on the background without going all the way to total desat... just an opinion, not a critique!)
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Flowers on
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Thanks so much Papa R. I just may have to try that. That is however, a technique that I do tend to overuse... I just find digital colours so over saturated and so overwhelming sometimes...Even in photos that don't necessarily have the "desat" look, I've usually backed off on the saturation just a bit. I am guilty of over use in desaturating my people shots...
Re: the "Lily White", if I remember correctly, the background was very messy and distracting so I made it super dark for contrast. ...I'm not a very good processor/editor.
I also love HDR ;) but again... not every photo is suitable.
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IMG_8426_pp-2.jpg, 84 KB
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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on -
I agree, it can be good or bad. Like a lot of things, if it is done very well, it can be quite elegant. Done not so well it can be an eye sore. I really like Deborah's treatment of the flowers, I think colouring suits those photos.
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Permalink Reply by Charles Calvin (Calvin Digital) on -
Good write up, I agree with everything but "just because you can doesn't mean you should."I feel you should. When ever new skill sets are learned they should be practiced and perfected. BUT just because you CAN and you DID doesn't mean you should flood the internet with your BECAUSE YOU DID photos. Did that make sense?
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Flowers on
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Indeed Charles!
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Permalink Reply by Papa Rotzzi on
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LOL.. yes. LIKE!
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Flowers on
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Thank you so much Papa R!
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Permalink Reply by DigirebelVA on -
I will do it, if I want to add emphasis to an image, but the image has to "speak" to me first..and it has to make sense
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Permalink Reply by Papa Rotzzi on
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Thank you for your response, sir.
I LOVE "Smiling At You" while "Color At The End" does not jump out at me as much. In BOTH cases, however, your edits do "make sense" and are not a distraction from the subject. (And I like your over-all edit as well)
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Flowers on
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I really like the "smiling at you" a very fun photo!
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Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on -
It is, was, a fad. Like many other things it is a useful tool that has been over used to the point that it becomes cliche'. I have the same response to a lot of HDR. Still, in the area of portrait and wedding work, it is a sales tool. Not especially creative, but it will help sell photographs.
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