Bahnhof Buffet

May 26, 2008 11:09 AM | Related Categories: Cafe Life

zurich hauptbahnhof buffet

Haven't posted a photo of the buffet for a while. Here it is - looking a bit more faded and sepulchral than it actually is. That's B+W for you.

I had an interesting chat with another photographer recently about B+W. He made the observation that some female friends thought that the use of B+W made for a rather "bleak" overall impression. That maybe there was a gender dimension involved. I have to say that I don't consider my outlook as bleak, but maybe that's not the impression other people have

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I have to say I agree with you. It's possible to use B&W to that effect, but it is not in any way essential, or even inevitable. You gan control over the mood in a B&W far more than you do in a colour shot, and you gain the ability to control the atmosphere almost regardless of the lighting. But any B&W looks pretty sepulchral on my laptop ;-)

At some point over the next few days I've got a happy b&w appearing (and, a more somber one)
# Posted By Ham | 5/27/08 8:35 AM
Sounds daft - but I don't think I even notice your photos are in black and white!
I just go with "the vibe" of the thing.
This one reminds me of a lounge in Las Vegas in the 50's/60's (you know, Frank Sinatraryish) - but the waitress doesn't fit.
I've never thought of your photos (or you) as "'bleak".
And come to think of it - I've seen plenty of colour photos with a "bleakness" (in the sense of "dreary") about them.
# Posted By Freefalling | 5/27/08 9:59 AM
There is something old-fashioned and nostalgic about this scene and I believe of course that the b&w adds to this feeling! ... butof course it's done by purpose!
# Posted By Peter | 5/27/08 1:28 PM
I don't think black and white shots are dreary at all! For me, I find it's harder to see in black and white (that is, to look around and see textures and lighting that will lend to a stunning black and white shot) than it is to see in color. At first glance my eyes are drawn to color, but black and white images force me to really open my eyes and examine things. You definitely have an eye for black and white shots -- I wish mine turned out as well as yours do!
# Posted By Christy | 5/27/08 1:50 PM
The anti-B&W brigade lack "guts" (in that very special "Schillerian" way we've been discussing it). There's little sepulchral (to my mind) in the Arc, or even in this rather special image of the Bahnhof Cafe. (Having said that I'm suddenly dragged to the Radetzky March...oops).

My only complaint is, I wish you would stop wrenching my gut!! NO...Don't!!!!!
# Posted By Chuckeroon | 5/27/08 5:34 PM
Thanks to everyone for the comments, and the encouragement, although I wasn't fishing for any - honest.

FF - you might be surprised to learn that when I take photos I don't notice that the world is in colour
# Posted By richard | 5/27/08 6:55 PM
I like it. Have not been there for quite a long time... You have got some really nice photos on your site (and I saw that you have a reeeeally great camera :)
Keep up the good work, I'll be back
tino
# Posted By t i n o | 5/27/08 9:02 PM
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