New to B&W

A New B&W Photographer - Sandra Volkmann

One of the goals of this site is to encourage people to discover B&W for the first time. So we love it when we hear from a photographer who’s new to B&W, such as Sandra Volkmann from Henning, MN. We think her work is quite good, especially for someone new to B&W. We hope you like the photos. Below, Sandra explains how she became a B&W photographer:

Sandra Volkmann

Ever since I was a child in 4-H, I liked taking pictures of my favorite things: my cat; flowers; and wild animals in our woods on the farm.

Many years passed before I picked up a camera again. Then in the 1990s I bought my first real (I thought) semi-professional camera, a 35mm Olympus with several lenses. That’s when I started taking some great pictures. They were all in color. Through a lot of trial and error I learned, somewhat, what makes a great photo.

For 17 years I did only color film photos. I still have that camera and lenses today.

In 2006, I took a one-year mail and Internet course in photography, then in 2007-08, I bought a digital camera, a Samsung Pro815, and went to photography school in Central Lakes College in Staples, MN. Both schools taught me a lot and I am very grateful.

Now I use everything I was taught. The right lighting in a color photo brings out the colors and great shadows. Because of that combination I believe they can also be made into great B&W photos.

When I discovered changing color to B&W, I was amazed. When I created a B&W portfolio for a contest, I was in the final running. This surprised me, but it was an exciting surprise.

For the past eight months, I have been playing around with B&W. Then it clicked for me. My B&W photos were being chosen in local contests. I take color images then change the best ones to B&W.

B&W vs. color to me is no contest; I prefer B&W. I have been working for so long in color, but now with B&W images I am seeing something I haven’t seen before.

B&W is in a class of its own and I’m enjoying it. B&W can draw you into the photo and get your mind to wander into the image. Maybe even getting you to imagine it in color. B&W photos make the image mystical looking. The subject in the image stand out more. Also, B&W can fit in any home on any color of wall.

Working in color to me is more intense because of trying to match the photo colors with the actual colors. It took me a while to understand the camera and printer match-up.

Overall, I enjoy B&W more because it makes the photo more dramatic.

MY PHOTO BUSINESS

My photo business started at home after I started the schooling process. Then I moved it to a storefront for more exposure.

My store is a traditional studio and also an “Old Time” studio. Both are ready for walk-ins and appointments and you can get your 8x10 immediately. There other artist’s work In the store, all photo related: wooden hand-crafted photo holders; frames out of old wood; digital photo frames and more. I also have an artist’s gallery called “Picture Perfect,” with my photos.