The beauty of black & White
Why Black & White? Again, It's Love.
We love Black & White. No, that does not mean turning the saturation on the digital projector down to zero. Those familiar with black and white photography will tell you, that's just gray. The high bar for what makes a great black and white photo is the same for black and white films. A truly beautiful black and white film requires the same level of shot-by-shot level grading and artistic influence as feature film color grading. Not every film has the potential to be a great black & white film either. We've highlighted our favorite black and white conversion projects here for consideration.
FOR FANATIC MEMBERS
The Complete B&W Conversion Guide
Our exclusive content for members offers a comprehensive guide to converting films to black and white. With step-by-step instructions, detailed tutorials and video guides, members can learn and explore how to convert films to black and white. Whether you're an amateur or a pro, our guide will give you the information and tools you need to get the most out of your film project. Just a "Making-of" junky or interested in trying it yourself? Join now (yes, it's free) to access all of our exclusive content.
Fanatic B&W Conversion Projects
With a few notable exception, a search on the topic "best black and white films of all time" will yield a list of great films created before 1950, before the advent of color film. Great films no doubt, but for most are black and white because of their age, not artistic preference. Ansel Adams did not photograph his grand landscapes in B&W because there was no color film on the shelves. He did so as an artistic choice. A passion for the beauty of form, simplicity, texture and bold composition of the medium. Our Fanatic B&W conversion projects follow the same drive, they explore the artistic choice. Some choices are obvious, some surprising. All are great films in their original color, but find new expression and beauty, experienced in Black & White.
Seeing Star Wars For The First Time — Again.
Project Overview
Star Wars, the original 1977 landmark, deserves it's place as a classic favorite in all forms. We would be hypocrites to debate George Lucas's efforts to "Special Edition" the original with digital embellishments & new scenes — and we can't get too worked up over who shot first — not if we are willing to chuck the color spectrum from a perfectly fine color movie. Star Wars in black and white is not better than, it's different than. Why is it the perfect candidate for a High Dynamic Range Black & White conversion? Well, let's be honest, it's less futuristic science fiction film than it is a straight-up classic western — A long time ago in a place far, far away. And for those of us who have seen the original upwards of a bazillion times, it's like seeing it again for the first time. A thrill.
George Miller's Classic Original
Project Overview
George Miller's classic original Mad Max 2, The Road Warrior, stunned audiences in 1981 with it's post apocalyptic style and never before matched in-camera action sequences. Today, it looks a bit dated at best, it's costume design setting off a 1980's generation of Pat Benatar music videos and football shoulder pad wearing bad guys in far too many knock-offs. Converting the Road Warrior to black & white not only matches and enhances the dusty, gritty tone of the original, it gives it a fresh new look, stripping away much of the style that dates the film, revealing what it still is — an amazing action and editing extravaganza.
There Will Be Blood
And Oil
Project Overview
This Paul Thomas Anderson masterpiece is perfect as is. A fantastic film on all counts. It's just as fantastic in black & White, seemingly made for the attributes that make great black and white films. Gritty, dirty, dark and light contrasting from scene to scene. So much of it was shot with natural light, the irregularities in lighting are only amplified in a B&W conversion. Being a period piece, the mood of the film is also amplified by the style. This is also the first project we experiment with sepia tones on top of the black & white grading.
Francis Ford Coppola's Masterpiece — a Masterpiece Again?
Project Overview
The Godfather, at first consideration, feels like the perfect story to live in black and white. More than just our easy familiarity to associate black and white with old-timey, historical gangster movies, but because it ticks several boxes for what makes a great black and white film. In addition to it being a great film (I'll argue "the greatest film"), the Godfather was shot with a distinctive cinematography and variety of lighting and moods. The bright outdoors of the wedding contrasting with the dark interiors of the Don's office, providing a playground of variety for black and white interpretation.
The Rock Was Made For B&W!
Project Overview
Two factors make this a fun project to complete. One, editing Rocky I&II into a single experience, and two, ditching the almost unnecessary color to end up with a gritty, classic, sports film noir in the spirit of Raging Bull. We say "almost unnecessary" because of two elements take a loss in the conversion — those red, white & blue shorts, and of course, the sight of blood in the ring, that no matter how you tone it, looks like fighters dripping motor oil from their cuts. A small price to pay for the overall experience of characters and drama enhanced by the texture and tone of black & white.
Future Conversions
Do you have a favorite film you think might make a nice black and white version? Send us suggestions. The process starts with producing a few B&W stills of key images, to see if the proof is in the pixels. Below is our list of potential projects in consideration.
Blade Runner
Inglourious Bastards
Reservoir Dogs
Das Boot
Mulhalland Drive
What makes you a Fanatic?
Let us know what you love about film, digital media, and what projects have inspired you. Send us a note and join our legion of fanatics!