The Power of Black and White

In taking pictures and editing them, I've noticed that the use of desaturation (or turning a photo black and white) can be very useful. Sometimes in a photograph, color just isn't needed. For example, if I were to take a picture of a city street, with people, buildings, and traffic, I might not want to keep my photograph in color. If I turn the photo to black and white and up the contrast a bit, then bam! It's beautiful, maybe even more stunning than when it was in color. For me, black and white photos feel more real. They allow me to focus on the subject(s) and not their color.
Black and white is also useful when trying to make something look older. You can go all old-timey on your photo by turning it black and white. In an instant your masterpiece can look like it's from another era.

For example, in the photo of the VW Bug, I just did some minor editing. Since the car was older I figured I'd make the photo match. All I did was desaturate then fade said desaturation. The colors are then muted and the overall goal is achieved. Now for full desaturation. In this next photo, I chose to not put it

in color at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure I shot in black and white mode that day. In my opinion, if it

had been in color it would not have near the same effect.