Working mainly with colour, as most of us do nowadays, it's easy to forget the importance of pure tone. It used to be what photography was all about. A wise photographer once said to me that no-one should be allowed to use colour until they have mastered black and white. You might say it is the equivalent of drawing in relation to painting -- splashing colours about is fun, but leads nowhere very interesting without the underlying disciplines of line, shape, volume, tone, and balance.
6 comments:
Mike,
For Christmas I was given (at my request) The Universe Next Door by Abelardo Morrell, and his mastery of tone is deeply impressive. I'd recommend the book without reserve.
Tone is something that doesn't translate well to digital viewing (is there a technical reason why?) but can only be properly appreciated in good prints.
Huw
Huw,
Already have it -- been a fan since I came across his "A Camera in a Room" volume in the Smithsonian "Photographers at Work" series (some excellent volumes in that series).
Mike
Morrell's 'Paper Bag' and 'Shiny Books' make me smile at the sheer vision and technical skill needed to make such mundane subjects so beautiful.
Huw
Do you know his book, "A Book of Books"? Well worth a look if you don't.
Mike
I came to Morell via a National Geographic article. A Book of Books is a little expensive (although I guess it will only get more so!).
Huw
Ah, yes -- already out of print and subject to extortion! It's a shame the way the collectors and speculators distort the market... I don't suppose they're going to go away.
Mike
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