Is Black A Colour?
The colour black -an exploration in colour, or indeed the lack thereof.
Apparently black isn’t a colour. If it isn’t, then is it perhaps an absence of colour all together? Could it possibly be something more than merely a shadow, a colour we simply aren’t physically able to see?
If you dig out old photographs from the dusty boxes in your basement or attic, the majority of them are probably black and white. If you watch old movies or TV programmes, you don’t adjust your screen because of the lack of colour. Do we, in this digital colourful age we live in, associate this absence of colour with something already passed, old and even passé? Or is it more a sense of mystical beauty, a distant memory or thought in which the imagination can freely roam, adding colour bit by bit. Or is black and white just used for dramatic effect?
To explore this concept, we will look at three contemporary photographers’ work, all of which can be found on our website Rinse.
The first collection of photos is called “The Black” by Kenny Ng. The Malaysian born photographer describes the use of B&W himself as expressing a “kind of superrealism” and a strong sense of beauty, despite the lack of colour.
In his photographs, Kenny Ng shows lonely scenes, the subject (if any at all) often by himself in vast surroundings.
Dramatic lighting and high contrast are key components to his work, lending the images deep shades of grey and grainy white surfaces. The viewer feels almost cold, chilled by the atmosphere shown.
A lonely man on the beach by the fisher boat; the sky could have been a marvelous blue at the time, the golden sand beneath the man’s feet. Yet the use of B&W photography makes the sand look as though there could be a thin coating of snow on the surface, the sky a mass of low-hanging rain clouds.
Kenny Ng also creates an abstraction of reality with his aversion to colour. Simply by turning down the saturation on life, the world becomes a large mass of shapes and hues, not clearly distinguishable at first glance.
Carrying on this art of abstraction, Chi Fa Chow’s story “My Shelf” explores the world in a series of blurred contours and grey shapes.
The images in the story show noisy portrayals of architecture and street scenes. The use of B&W photography makes humans almost ghost-like, just shadows passing through a grey and black dream world. The up-close, out-of-focus subjects give the viewer the feeling of having just woken up in this B&W world, not quite able to distinguish what shapes are before him.
Also, the photographs are given that dramatic edge that can only be achieved in B&W photography. The deep blacks and greys lend their sensual shade; a colour photograph is simply too real to even come close to the level of sensuality reached by B&W photography.
Chow’s story is like a walk through his thoughts, leaving room for the imagination to add colour where it’s needed. This walk takes you to the busy streets, quiet corners, the occasional empty space to breathe amidst the chaos, then on again to cooling scenes of architecture. The viewer can get lost within the story, the dramatic story-telling element of B&W heavily coming into play.
Moving on to another, perhaps the most effective use of B&W: to display dark scenes with dark content. In Darkle’s story “D I S S O N A N C E”, he reports on the 2014 Thai coup d’état.
These gripping images portray the May 2014 face-off between demonstrators and military forces. An intimate glimpse into modern-day Thailand’s political and social turmoil is offered in small dark gems of photography. Chilling detail and distinct use of shadow and lighting put the viewer in an uncomfortable position.
Vignettes and shadows enunciate the few faces that can be seen behind the riot shields. The eye strays from face to face, the innocence of each needing to be questioned by the viewer himself.
The dramatic effect achieved here by Darkle is astounding; having created a seemingly movie-like atmosphere, the only thing missing is a fittingly dramatic soundtrack, perhaps a heartbeat-like pounding drum- and deep bass-line.
As a viewer, one almost feels ashamed to comment on the beauty of these photographs understanding the background of their content. Thus is the effect and beauty of B&W photography, reality once again being abstracted to allow the imagination to wonder.
A quote by the famous author George Orwell Darkle used to subtitle his story, adds to the darkness of his work.
“If you want to keep a secret you must also hide it from yourself. You must know all the while that it is there, but until it is needed you must never let it emerge into your consciousness in any shape that could be given a name.”
~ George Orwell
In conclusion, the absence of colour does not necessarily mean an absence of meaning, as one might be led to think. Black may not be a colour, but it certainly awakens the colours of the viewing mind, resulting in breathtaking moments of beauty and reflection.
Rinse has invited lots of talented photographers from around the world to share their best works. If we haven’t reached out to you yet, and you also have a great story to tell, please don’t hesitate to come share it with us at Rinse.
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