Photographer Dave Maes selectively incorporates color with black and white, creating a visually intriguing portfolio. Visit his website to see more.
![Black & White and color photograph of a cabin at St. Elmo in Colorado by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Cabin-at-St.-Elmo-Colorado-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“Cabin at St. Elmo, Colorado” Photograph, Various Sizes
Since I was very young, I have always loved hiking and exploring the amazing and inspiring mountains of my home state of Colorado.
![Black & white photograph with color of a bristlecone pine tree by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bristlecone-Pine-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“Bristlecone Pine” Photograph, Various Sizes
I acquired my first film camera when I was sixteen. This gave me the opportunity to combine taking photos of nature and anything unusual with my love of adventure. I also learned the entire darkroom process, from developing film to printing the final image in black and white and color.
![Black & white photograph with color of a Gold Mt. Flower by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gold-Mountain-Flower-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“Gold Mountain Flower” Photograph, Various Sizes
Photography became my life-long passion. I was able to display my work in galleries and museums and sell many of my images.
![Black & white photograph with color of a dilapidated Jeep with an American Flag by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Shes-Seen-Better-Days-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“She’s Seen Better Days” Photograph, Various Sizes
The introduction of digital photography provided new opportunities and allowed me to capture interesting images. I quickly embraced this new technology which gave me more artistic expression.
![Black & white and color photograph of an old car in front of the Sangre de Cristo Mtns. by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Old-Truck-and-the-Sangre-de-Cristo-Mtns.-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“Old Truck and Sangre de Cristo Mountains” Photograph, Various Sizes
After my retirement from the fire service I was able to devote all my time and effort into fulfilling my life-long aspiration to travel and capture images of the many wonderful things in the world. I strive to capture the essence of a scene. I tell a story through the image, whether it’s complex or even as simple as an old barn or abandoned relic.
![Black & white and color photograph of a paddle wheel in New Orleans by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Paddle-Wheel-and-Bridge-New-Orleans-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“Paddle Wheel and Bridge, New Orleans” Photograph, Various Sizes
My photographic collection grew so much that my wife and I decided to enter the art show circuit. From there, I quickly understood that to stand out I was going to have to come up with a fresh angle.
![Black & white photograph with color of a white magnolia in New Orleans by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/White-Magnolia-New-Orleans-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“White Magnolia, New Orleans” Photograph, Dave Maes
This was no easy task.
![Black & white and color photograph of the Cemetery in Morpeth, England by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Cemetery-in-Morpeth-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“Cemetery in Morpeth” Photograph, Various Sizes
One day, after experimenting with an image and changing it from full color to black and white with color in a specified area, I realized that I really enjoyed the transformation and artistic intent that this provided. I started to incorporate this technique with more photographs.
![Black & White and color photograph of Ridgeway Firehouse by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Ridgway-Firehouse-PhotographVarious-Sizes.jpg)
“Ridgeway Firehouse” Photograph, Various Sizes
I tentatively introduced my first black and white with selective color photograph, “Ridgway Firehouse,” at a show where it was well received. From there I began to look for opportunities to feature the remarkable contrast that can be found in the procedure of selective color.
![Black & white photograph with color of a doorman in India by Dave Maes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Doorman-India-Photograph-Various-Sizes.jpg)
“The Doorman, India” Photograph, Various Sizes
I now feel that I have developed my own personal style. I have found my niche and I am inspired to produce a collection of black and white with selective color images.
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