behind the barbed wire...

Posted by DarkElf (Perth, Australia) on 10 November 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.

i have looked through my collection of photos and tried to find one that would look appropriate in b&w format... i have found this one - it comes from the Auschwitz part of the camp, where the original gate is located, above which you can find the phrase "work brings freedom"...

i am the first to admit that i may lack the general awareness to take good b&w shots and this obviously is a post processed result from a colour photo...

you will be the judges whether the final effect is anything remotely close to portraying the gloomy feel of the camp...

welcome to my photoblog and thanks for visiting... my aim is to learn photography and share my experiences with you, not only through my attempts at photography, but also through showing different aspects of the world that have caught my interest over the time that i have been walking this planet... hope you enjoy the journey with me...

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Comments (23)

Laurie from New Jersey, United States

The mood is very appropriate here. Very powerful.

I shoot in RAW so all my black and white shots are converted in post processing. There are quite a few different methods that work well with different images.

10 Nov 2008 12:09pm

grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom

Before I read the caption I was oppressed by the picture.
You done good.

10 Nov 2008 2:49pm

grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom

Just scrolled back over some of the ones I have missed.
Perhaps it's worth trying the B/W treatment on the previous shots. The brilliant blue sky day in them belies the awfulness of the place's history.
Some lovely landscapes before them.

10 Nov 2008 2:54pm

Don Smith from California, United States

The mood encapsulates the setting - you succeeded in translating the depressing feeling this place holds more so than a vibrant color image - well done.

10 Nov 2008 2:57pm

Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France

A moving place…

10 Nov 2008 4:41pm

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

I agree with Calusarus it's a powerful and moving place. Don't know if i would be able to go there... Interesting serie.

10 Nov 2008 7:24pm

martie from Rivendale, United States

The B&W is perfect for this composition. Such a hauntingly awful place. Your photo captures the grief and horror that happened.

10 Nov 2008 11:16pm

Walter from Watkinsville, United States

This is a great opportunity for b/w photography. It brings back haunting photos in my mind of the outcast in prison guard, starving to death and hanging out near the fence in desperate hope of getting out. It is hard to go from color to b/w without seeing the color. This shot does work though in b/w.

11 Nov 2008 1:39am

One from Açores, Portugal

Shot very beautiful, that your version in B & W makes perfectly the idea of an original image of the past..

11 Nov 2008 2:42am

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

beautifully done Maciek -- and just marvelous in b/w!!! amazing detail and i love the grainy textures too! faaabulous!

11 Nov 2008 2:56am

Sandrine from Cincinnati, United States

It does have a sad mood... at 1st look I was not surprised when i read where it was. Great shot!

11 Nov 2008 3:24am

Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica

Awesome yet a sobering B&W image!

11 Nov 2008 4:11am

Zygene from morlaix, France

Un noir et blanc de toute beauté, tout à fait approprié à la photo, bravo pour cet hommage.

11 Nov 2008 6:22am

Moreno from Italy

Wow, very oppressing

11 Nov 2008 10:29am

Veronelle from Lens, France

triste lieu

11 Nov 2008 5:45pm

Vink from Grasse - French riviera, France

Powerful shot !

12 Nov 2008 3:31pm

Mário Silva from Lisbon, Portugal

I loved this photo!!!

The b/w WAS THE PERFECT CHOICE TO SHOW PART OF THE CAMP.

12 Nov 2008 4:34pm

bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada

I think this is fantastic! I for one think the black and white tones are excellent and the image itself (post processing) resembles that of film. Well done in tone and great composition.

12 Nov 2008 9:47pm