What is Scott Kivowitz's approach to balancing monochrome and color in dynamic photography environments?

Hi there! I’m Scott Wyden Kivowitz. Thanks for the thoughtful question.

When I’m deciding between monochrome and color in a dynamic scene, I start by asking: what’s really the story here? If the story is about light, form, texture, or mood, I lean toward black and white. If the story is about atmosphere, time of day, or complementary hues, I keep it in color.

In color work, I’m careful not to over-punch things: heavy clarity, extreme HDR, or overly dark clouds can distract from the subject and make skies look muddy or “drop shadowed.” I try to maintain believable color, protect highlights, and avoid vignettes that darken key subjects or important areas of the sky.

With monochrome, I’ll often:

• Use local dodging and burning to guide the eye
• Keep detail in shadows and highlights so the image doesn’t feel “blocked up”
• Watch contrast so it supports the subject rather than overpowering it

In fast-changing environments, I frequently shoot with color in mind but compose as if it’s black and white—paying attention to shapes, leading lines, and contrast. Later, I decide in post which direction best supports the emotion and clarity of the story.

Would you like some practical examples or a step‑by‑step workflow you can follow when you’re in the field?