I suppose the common conception is that full color in, visual art, is a more rewarding viewing experience than limited color or black and white. This, like many other art concepts, is highly debatable.

Black and white photography, for example, is an artistic medium that illustrates the concept that limiting an image to black, white and shades of gray can produce artwork that is even more powerful and dramatic than images with a full range of color. If you have ever seen the black and white landscape photography of Ansel Adams or Brett Weston, then I think you will agree that limiting the color of images can produce some striking results in artistic expression. The same can be said for some of the artwork of painters like El Greco, Giocometti, Picasso, Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Ad Rhinehart and Jasper Johns, to name a few.

Have you ever heard the expression “less is more”? Less color can lead to more expression as the aforementioned examples illustrate. If you are an artist, you owe it to yourself to explore this avenue of expression and if you are an art enthusiast, you should learn to appreciate this avenue of artistic expression. Black and White photography is an excellent art form in which to explore the beauty and power of a limited color palette, as well as drawing, printmaking and painting. German expressionism in painting, drawing, printmaking and film is a great example of the power of black and white.

Less can be more, but more is not necessarily less! What a beautiful paradox.

By: George McKim

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