...and all the shades of grey

My favourite thing about being a part of this project is the stories you all share with your photographs. Well now I know my favourite stories are the ones told in black and white. Other than the obvious more dramatic feel of a black and white photo - the lack of "color" tells a far more interesting story to me. 

As a designer I start everything in grey - grey is also my favourite color therefore it's not strange that I love monochrome photos the best. Don't get me wrong I do like a bright flaring sun, the softness of bokeh around its subject, the blossom of a flower but there is something just so enchanting about a black & white image. While in University my first year photography class was a study in black and white. we developed all the film and learnt the actual dodge and burn techniques with old school tools - a piece of paper with a hole cut out and a coat hanger with tape on the end. I'd stay in the dark room until 5am sometimes, trying to get the shot I wanted to come to life. Looking through this week's gallery on flickr reminded me of the wonderful things I loved about that process. 

I have been very introspective this week.  I tend to analyze things differently and more linearly in my head when I feel like this. I study things more like a mathematician. I see things in numbers almost. its weird but that's how I've been shooting lately. 

This photo shot by drdesigns reminds me of a photo shot in film. I immediately loved it the moment I saw it. I assumed one of the other muses would snatch it up but I am so glad they didn't. the texture, the crispness, the tone. love it! I have no idea what this thing is on that rough old piece of wood, but I just love it. and want one of my very own. 

Uploaded by drdesigns on 18 Mar 10, 2.46PM MDT.

Thank you so much for sharing your black & white stories with us, we were all truly inspired wandering through the flickr group this go around. 

Next theme is antiques.

happy shooting my fellow musing peeps! 

xox

m

details, details

As I grow as a photographer, I realize how small details in everyday living are drawn to me with all the beauty they encompass.  Chubby dimples on baby hands, wispy bed head after naps, freckles, perfect droplets of spilled milk on the floor, my dogs cute kissable nose and overgrown hair.  2 peas and a blueberry 's image and those sweet eyelashes pull at my heart strings!  

Uploaded by 2 peas and a blueberry

Don't you love how black and white helps accentuate these beautiful details!  I hope you can find joy and beauty in the details in your life.  And of course, as the other muses proclaimed, thank for sharing all your beautiful black and white images, you all have been truly inspiring.  Can't wait to see what you have in store for our next theme! 

April :)

under the surface

This post should be titled inspiration.

I thought this week's prompt would be simple.  I love black and white photography and although I don't often shoot in that format, I enjoy processing portraits and cityscapes into b/w.   But I was so overwhelmed by what I was seeing in the pool that in the end I decided to let your photos be my guide.  I could easily have done a post for each day of the week (do you think the other muses would mind?).

I bounced back and forth between human and animal portraits, landscapes, and macro views of exquisite tiny objects.  In the end, I kept coming back to the photo below by Kat Eye View.  To be honest, the story behind this other photo by Kat, of a rustic wall and window in Italy, also had me nodding in acknowledgment.  I too, sometimes unconsciously, look for the flaws when I am shooting a photograph, or writing, or editing.  Not following the rules, not being perfect, these are personality traits I possess (as anyone who knows me could attest to).  It had seldom occurred to me to embrace these traits and make them part of my creative expression.  What a revelation.

I've always loved sneak peeks into someone else's existence, even if it is old and broken down and without a roof.  My photo is of the warden's house on Alcatraz, the former prison now a tourist destination.  The prison itself is fascinating, but I found myself captivated by the other buildings where the staff and their families once resided.  Someone cooked, bathed, laughed, lived here - even within shouting distance of a concrete building housing some of the worst of the criminals of that time.  Life doesn't fit into a neat little box.  Neither should my photography.

How does your character express itself in your photos? 

cheers,
mosey

Uploaded by Kat Eye View on 10 Jul 10, 1.46PM PDT.

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black and white flower love

Do you surf the Mortal Muse flickr pool? Just take your time and look at all the photos, really look at them? I am continually inspired by the photography shared there. I spent time Sunday evening catching up on submissions to the pool. A glass of wine in hand and a new Dave Matthews CD playing in the background. Bliss for the senses.

I will admit that this black and white challenge is truly a challenge for me. I don’t think to shoot in B&W. I love looking at B&W shots, especially film B&W, but seeing in black and white isn’t how I work.
I shoot a lot of flowers, and am usually drawn to their color. But oh how I fell in love with night flower  by Staci Lee {ragamuffinview} when I saw it in the pool. By taking color out of the shot, attention is focused on the delicate texture of the petals. Sooo beautiful.



I had a few shots in mind for this prompt, but nothing really worked out like I intended. When I saw night flower I remembered that I had a similar shot still on the card in my camera. I really like the way it turned out in black and white.
Thanks Muse peeps for inspiring me to see outside the ‘color’ box.

♥ maureen

it's a marvelous night for a moondance

Night photography can be challenging -- but also a great opportunity to fiddle with all the settings on your camera.  When this black and white challenge was announced, I thought it would be a perfect chance to shoot some night images and hone my skills at the same time.  I wanted to try to capture black and white without actually switching to black and white mode.

My shot was taken at Craigville Beach here on Cape Cod, when the moon was 3/4 full and the water was calm and still.  I set the camera on the roof of my car, adjusted the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture, and took about 10 shots.  I like the calm glow of the moon in the water.  Of course you'll notice that my black and white experiment wasn't completely successful -- out along the horizon one green beacon shines brightly.  Let's call it accidental selective colorization. :)

The photo below, Selkirk, MB - Midway at Night by kim/jaren/brooklyn, is a wonderful example of the power of the black and white night image.  (By the way, Kim/Jaren/Brooklyn is a mother/son/daughter team who share a flickr account - how cool is that?)  They took some daytime shots of the fair, too, which are full of color and energy.  But what I like so much about this night shot is that the black and white accentuates the giddy carnival atmosphere while also hinting at the darker side. Together their fair photos express the yin/yang of summer fun.

Next time you're out at night, try finding opportunities to capture black and white.  Then share some of them in our Everyday Beauty (or should I say, Everynight Beauty) flickr pool.

Until next time.

-lucy

black and white landscapes

Have you seen the black and white submissions in the flickr pool? Have you really gone and had a look? If you haven't, you really should...they are stunning. It's been a tough one to choose from, I can tell you but I have so enjoyed it. I remember taking our daughter to Venice when she was three and she was disappointed that the city was not in black and white. She had seen pictures of Venice from a long time ago and had concluded that everything from before she was born actually was in black and white. But she had a point; there is something so timeless about black and white images. The faces, the places, the moods, the quiet moments. All so peaceful and focused in black and white. Thank you for sharing those moments with us.

Here's the landscape we lived with in Italy last week. We really used and abused it; we painted it in watercolours (turns out I may be able to take a photo or two, but painting is really not my thing), drew it in charcoal, ate in front of it, watched sunsets over it, looked at the Perseids over it and even played with light painting using glowsticks in front of it. On the day before we left we watched a storm brewing over the mountains and I remember feeling a moment of tenderness for that lone tree, rooted there while the weather and seasons moved around it. I've done all sorts of things to this picture, but my favourite was sticking it through Photomatix for that HDR effect. It gives that extra buzz to the overcast landscape. It was one of the first ways I learnt to process pictures back in April...so easy and yet the response from friends and family was intense.

Uploaded by drdesigns on February 4, 2010

I chose this picture because of the quiet solitude of the tree in the foreground. And yet that tree isn't alone; the beautiful composition shows the other trees also standing there, in the snow, each one fainter than the next. Go and check it out on flickr with the black background; it looks even more stunning. Perhaps I am mentally preparing myself for the winter and this picture reminds me how beautiful it can be, despite the cold! How those seasons just keep changing and their moods with it...timeless...

memories and encouragement

I process a lot in B&W. But for this challenge I went back to my all time favourite. The one I will forever cherish. It was just 6 months after Jonah made his way to us. He was the most special little furry puppy I knew to that date. I have chosen this picture for a different reason, though. This picture was the first time I recognized a reflection somewhere. That's why it is so special, because life unfolded right through my viewfinder. And I had the pleasure to be fully aware of it. Holding it tight.

I really loved that the photographer on my featured picture reached out to touch others not only with her ability to create visual beauty. She also left her words for others to see. To remind them to live a kind life.
To be their own cheerleader in whatever the people who view this do. To gather strength.

Those two pictures fit perfectly for me, because they send me the very important reminder to pay attention to those small moments in life and to cheer yourself on. Nothing is too hard to do. If you want it, you can do it.



I was so enchanted seeing once again a lot of wonderful B&W beauties in the flickr pool. If you haven't already come check it out.
Thank you people for making this journey so very much fun.
Keep shooting!

See you in 9 days :)
Love,
Suki

summer obsession

If you have been following my photos or posts on my regular blog, you would see that this summer I am obsessed with taking pictures of water. Much of this has to do with the joy I get in playing with my new underwater camera...nothing fancy, but a lot of fun. Another reason for my water obsession is that we live in South Texas and it is so dang hot that the only outdoor activity for 3 restless children that is comfortable is swimming.

I have taken so many shots of water in color just because I love the blues and greens, so what a great chance this was to see a water photo in b&w. I think I like the results:


My next obsession is rain...because we have not had any.  I am controlled by the weather channel.  I am blushing as I type this because I have to admit that I have 3 weather apps on my phone that I check several times a day...and if there is even a slight chance of rain, I watch the skies hopefully. When it finally does rain here, all of my South Texas friends and I update our Facebook statuses about the rain. Yes folks, sadly we are all like that. That is why AnnGeeDee's photo was the obvious choice. I love those ripples...perfect little circles. I think the photo in b&w really enhances the rainy feel. I wish I was like Mary Poppins and could just jump right into this image.

Uploaded by AnnGeeDee on 16 Aug 10, 10.41PM EDT.

Hopefully you are all getting the weather that you are craving. In the meantime, I will keep praying for rain. :)
XO-
Stephanie

vintage love

A few weeks ago while I was taking pictures at a local antique and consignment shop, I mentioned to the owner that I may be interested in picking up some vintage cameras.  With a grin on her face, she guides me to the back of the building.  Let's just say, I hit GOLD!   In the depths of one booth, I unearthed eight cameras.  I think I actually squeaked in delight.  I now own three Polaroids (including one spectacular folding Land camera),  four Brownies (including the giveaway prize), and the gorgeous mint condition  1936 AGFA Jsolete, a folding 6x6 medium format camera made in Germany.  It is the pre-wartime version with the bakelite top and original name, it was later renamed the Isolete.  I think I am in love.

I have started researching film for it and have found a manual online, although Suki may have to help translate it.  For my companion photo, I was thrilled to find this gorgeous image taken by eva-marie ej with a vintage medium format camera from Germany, the Pentacon Six.  I am so inspired by idea of shooting with film again.  Crossing my fingers that it produces as wonderful results as those below. 

Do we have any vintage camera buffs in the group?  Does anyone shoot with a medium format camera?  Are you loving the revival of the Polaroid at http://www.the-impossible-project.com/?  Are you interested in another antique camera giveaway in the future?

You may start submitting your "Antiques" theme pictures as of today.  Also, we hope you are enjoying the new flickr pool and featured photo page for Mortal Muses Everyday Beauty as much as we are. 

stay sweet. ♥tlb

Uploaded by eva-maria ej on 15 Aug 10, 1.18PM EDT.