I'm a self-taught photographer. I've read a few books. I don't use the very best equipment. I don't know all the lingo. I'll admit that my focus is somewhat... unconventional. I'll also admit that it had its roots in a less-than-"artistic" commercial venture - whatever "art" is. And there comes my question... What, pray-tell, is this incredible, incomprehensible appeal for black and white?

I have over 800 "friends" on DA, people I've made a point of watching because their work has caught my eye. I see hundreds of images each day and I constantly wonder to myself (in a somewhate disappointed way) "Why, did they take that (or convert it in most cases) to black and white? The color image would have been incredible!" Does changing a nude image from color to black and white somehow make it less sex-oriented, less (dare i say) pornographic?

Does it suddenly become "art" if you wash the color out of it?

If there's a real, honest to goodness reason... sure. Take my "Have You Seen This Woman?" series, for example. But, othrewise, I'm just not getting it. If we were meant to be "really" black and white (not referring to recial stereotyping here, folks) then we would have been. Our colors are what makes us beautiful, and 90% of the black and white images I've seen would have been far more artistic - in my humble opinion - if you'd left the beauty intact.

So, would some of you please enlighten me? Thanks.