Black and White Arizona Sketches
69Cottonwood II
The Old West seems to beckon black and white photography buffs. Take a road trip on a holiday weekend and you will see them lined up with their tripods, out to take photos of the aspen, the Saguaro, or the Grand Canyon, depending on their location.
Maybe it’s the legacy of Ansel Adams and his famous black and white depictions of the American West. Maybe it’s because the dramatic landscapes and other sites invite the shadow play that black and white photography emphasizes.
Whatever the case, I am one of them! The following are original images I have taken near our house and some within our house—as it has, in all its old glory, some poetic forms of its own.Bagdad Copper Mine From Above
Prayer Window
Vine on Stucco
Timeless
Drug Store Cowboy
Field Grass
Fall Sun
Clouds over Mesa
For more information on Arizona and more black and white photography, see:
- Black and White Photo Noirs
"It was a dark night in the city..." City streets were perhaps where the idea of 'noir' originated. 'Noir,' means 'black' in French of course, and the term originated with 'film noir' cinenamatography... - Colorful Places Abound in Arizona
Baghdad. Boneyard. Bootlegger Crossing. Bumble Bee. Carefree. Chloride. Floss. Goobertown. Goodyear. Many Farms. Nothing. Show Low. Strong. Surprise. Three Forks. Tuba City. Two Guns. Skull...
Books available on black and white photography:
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Advanced Digital Black & White Photography (A Lark Photography Book)
Price: $12.97
List Price: $24.95 |
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The Art of Black and White Photography: Techniques for Creating Superb Images in a Digital Workflow
Price: $24.89
List Price: $44.95 |
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Black and White Photography, Third Revised Edition
Price: $10.50
List Price: $27.99 |
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Black & White Photography: A Practical Guide
Price: $16.06
List Price: $29.95 |
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Black & White Photography in a Digital Age: Creative Camera, Darkroom and Printing Techniques for the Modern Photographer
Price: $16.00
List Price: $24.99 |
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Black & White Photography
Price: $18.71
List Price: $27.95 |
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Mastering Black-and-White Photography: From Camera to Darkroom
Price: $19.94
List Price: $19.95 |
|
Digital Black & White Photography
Price: $13.02
List Price: $24.99 |
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Comments
Thank you, goldentoad-A little different than your area of AZ, I know... I'll bet you had Saguaros in your back yard.
I like the pics to. Very artistically done.
Thanks, Writer! I love black and white photography. Maybe its partially a journalism thing, dunno. :)
I had the saguaros and the cottonwoods. Also living in Globe, we had the mines, and the tailings. If you are ever on a road trip, thats a great place to take pics as the town is old, ancient, creepy, falling over, and you can feel the mystery as the sun goes down.
Goldentoad-Cool... Yeah, we have not been down there yet. I'll have to convince the boyfriend to go exploring in that area sometime.
I love your photos. Black and white are my favorite. Wonderful work.
Thanks very much, diggersstory!
Beautiful I am from Arizona and I am homesick this is just a reminder of its beauty.:)
AEvans-Funny--I am from the Midwest & I see you are living there. Will you take some photos for me, :)? I'm sometimes homesick, too! lol
Thank you...
Arizona is one of my favourite places on earth! These pictures are beautiful, you're a wonderful photographer.
Thanks, Shirley-These are just from around my house, actually. There are really gorgeous places--my favorite is around Flagstaff with the aspens, and of course the Grand Canyon. Thanks for the compliment!
I was going to ask you if the cowboy shot was taken in Cave Creek.
Shirley-No--It is a little place outside Sedona. Sedona is actually beautiful, itself, and really was this Thanksgiving as it rained and was foggy, with clouds drifting in over the redrocks, very 'ethereal,' as my partner is apt to say. I don't photograph the redrocks much tho, as they are such a tourist destination and have been photographed SO many times. Still, the cloud shots would be worth it.
I actually live closer to Sedona than Flagstaff, if you know where that is?
Yes, I know where both of those places are - sort of - I've never been, but have been to AZ half a dozen times in the past year and a half. I think the closest that I got to Flagstaff was ?? I forget the name! but it's the place that boasts pie sales of 10,000 per year. When I was there, I saw the sign pointing to Flagstaff. I think you get snow before we do here in Ontario because of your elevation. It was really strange to me going from 98 degrees in Scottsdale to 68 in Prescott. 30 degrees difference just from travelling one place to the other because of the elevation. I don't live near real mountains, so it was an experience for me. A beautiful one, though and I have heard from many that Sedona is a must see because of the red buttes.
It is--and probably the best time to come is in the fall, Oct. or Nov., so that you get some fall color. Actually, the most beautiful place around Sedona is Oak Creek Canyon, a truly riparian area, with a proper bubbling brook with trout and sycamores, maple and oak trees surrounding it.
And, yes. My partner has clients from all over--some from Canada--and they are always remarking on that exact thing, the elevation and change in climate.
I don't know where the biggest pie sale town is, tho, :) I've only been here 3 years myself, so I haven't seen everything yet.
It was Rock Springs! Whew, that hurt.
And actually, they sell 45,000 pies - I looked it up. I bought some souvenirs there, but no pie. They have an interesting touristy souvenir shop right beside it and a Harley souvenir shop there, too. Or at least they did when I was there.
I'm sure I've been there--at least passed thru--as that is right on the road to Phoenix. Yep, it is in Yavapai county. And definitely Harleys are a big deal here.
Another place you don't want to miss in the area if you visit is the old mining town of Jerome--all the houses built into the mountains, lots of art and funky restaraunts, and a biker bar! (Safe, decent--there are some that are not.)
WOW!! Great pictures. In fact each picture theme can be a separate hub by itself. I have been to Arizona once from Las Vegas we drove to Grand Canyon. It is a beautiful place. Btw have you tried any exhibition gallery of your pictures I am sure you can generate good business with your art collections. I somehow like the black and white pictures sometimes with a their distinct message. Great hub.
CW-Thanks very much. Yeah, I have a degree in art, too, and I have thought about opening an e-bay art store. I must say I'm a little surprised with the good response--tho one of the reasons I came to AZ is to try to get my work in galleries.
Yes, we go to the Grand Canyon a lot, since we are fairly close.
I too am a black and white photography buff. I used to develop my own film and make my own prints. I miss it. I'm impressed with your shots! Great framing and contrast. What kind of camera did you use? Thanks for the art!
Lita- I would like to trek to the bottom next time or go on the mules in my next trip. I envy you being so close to such a great place. I also want to go and see the grand canyon from the other entrance (I guess I missed the north one last time).
Its good to have formal training besides one's own innate talents. I am looking forward to the e-bay store. I also heard Getty Images buys art collections from freelance artists. Good job and keep it up.
Christoph-Thank you! Actually, most of the shots were taken on nothing but a junk camera with good film...one I think was with a semi-expensive digital. I rely a lot on composition and framing, absolutely.
Yes, I miss dark rooms! I remember that was as creative a process as anything.
CW-We have not yet been to the north entrance--thats a long, long around the canyon drive! We have hiked down, but not all the way down. It really takes a lot of trips to really 'see' the Grand Canyon, is what I'm learning. We plan to go there and stay this winter in the cabins you can rent.
Thank you!
I wish I could take pictures in black and white-never learned. It's awesome how a person can convey a story through one photograph, wish I had that talent. Comes in handy in journalism and other fields requiring photography.
Thanks, writer... I guess I didn't see this last post.It is definitely handy in journalism, and as everything is digital now, it isn't very hard to learn. Just takes imagination and creativity. Most writers already have that! So! :)
Beautiful photos!
I just love black and white photography, and you're absolutely right that the West lends itself really well to it.
Thanks very much kerry, for stopping by to take a look at my work. Yes, after the fact, I did a Google trends analysis, and Phoenix, AZ is number one for searches of bl & wh photos all over the country. I think its the Ansel Adams effect!
hey Lita, these are breathtaking! I love the chiaroscuro effect - nothing beats monochromes in highlighting the drama! thanks for sharing! :D
Thanks, Chris... Yes, I have a few of these framed--especially the tree--part of a series of Cottonwoods I've done. They've got Cottonwoods with character here in my part of AZ! And yeah, I love chiaroscuro!
I also love B&W and have developed all my own...which was a whole lot of fun to learn...don't do it anymore tho...I have some that I entered in a few contests...but didn't win...these are just wonderful Ansel Adams is my all time fav...and I have a friend that got to see him and his works before he passed on...It has been a lost art..but seems to be returning...yesssss and Thanks hun these were just lovely...G-Ma :o) Hugs
These photos are great- there's certainly no shortage places for photography in Arizona. I had never seen a picture of Bagdad copper mine, I will check out the hub. Thanks for posting.
G-Ma-Thanks for stopping by to take a look! And for your compliments. Yes, we have lots of Ansel Adams in our house (and quite a bit of my photography, too, :) ). We are planning to go to Santa Fe, NM this week--perhaps see some Alfred Stieglitz bl & wh there. Another great photographer.
Newcapo-Hello from another Arizonan! Yes, the natural world here is quite a draw, isn't it? I became interested in Bagdad after I saw the movie, the Bagdad Cafe & I wrote the hub for a newspaper here, originally. Thanks for coming by to take a look!
Loved the storm clouds!
More!
Thanks, Teresa- :) Funny, I was just looking at some of your hubs. Yes, I fully intend to post more photo galleries as soon as I a) get all my old film from travels developed, or b) get that promised new digital so I don't have to borrow from the boyfriend.
Field Grass is amazing.
Thanks, Shades... :) See ya round the forums. yawn..
Wow....LOVE black and white work!!! Field Grass and Clouds Over Mesa are incredible!
Thanks, Sidney... I'll have to stop by and view your artwork on your hubs, sometime. :) If you have some up.
very nice! Arizona has some great photo ops.
You live here, too, right? In Phoenix...or Bisbee? lol And yeah, Ansel Adams found some good ops. :)
I really enjoy your photography Lita. My dad took some gorgeous black and white photos when he was stationed in Thailand, but I think I was the only one that admired these photographs besides him. I always loved one image he took of a man rowing a boat out to fish early in the morning. I have been through Baghdad, Arizona very long ago when I was young, and the countryside is rugged and beautiful at the same time.
Baghdad! I must write a hub about that at some point. What a crazy little movie. Have you seen it? lol
Yes, I am becoming quite the chronicler of Arizona. Didn't think it would be so. Everything here, as I've said to others, though, is just so ODD. Some things gorgeous, some things just off the beaten path.
I'll bet your dad's photos are good. There is a great tradition of bl & wh and I particularly like them framed in modern house decor. It's all about the design elements and shadowing w/o color.... Thank you, SP! :)
I have never seen this movie, but I definitely will put it on my list of must sees. I agree with your assessments of Arizona, and I saw parts of western Arizona when I was living in Blythe, and other parts of Arizona when I was really young. Once we went to this local watering hole place in Quartzite, and it was almost something out of a movie. We all were carded for being there because they thought a couple of us were fifteen lol. I guess we stood out among the regulars there lol.
Hi, SP- That's funny, actually, because we just got back from a trip to the mountains and it was kind of the same situation in this little, little town, Alpine. We really stood out as 'city people' among the regulars. lol...yes, at this diner/watering hole. I had to tease Matt that he looked like some kinda yuppie, which he didn't like, ;) haha.
Hi! I really liked your pictures, especially the sky and the stained glass window. I'm so glad I found the hubpages and I can see they're are many talents here! lol
Welcome, WC...and yes, there are quite a few artistic types. Getting to be more all the time, :). And thank you.
Hi Lita,
I like the black and white pictures you put up. It reminds me of my childhood days
Hi, lmfoung. Thanks very much, :)
I seen you pic of black/white and it took me back to some pics i took years back and it sent me looking for them.
Thanks!!!
SC-- Yes, I need to do more of these myself. There is something about B&W that color doesn't express. :)
Hi Lita,
Great black and White Photos. Why do I like B & W photos better than colour ones? Your pictures, especially the first one of the tree in winter, reminded me of my hobby - drawing in pencil, they seem to be related somehow :)
Hi, NH! It's all about the shadows. I work in pencil and charcoal, too, sometimes. When there is not color, you can concentrate on the form and shadows. And the first tree photo is one of my favorites I've done. Thanks!
It's nice to see someone who appreciates black and white photography. Good work.
Thank you! I'm working on it, :).
goldentoad says:
12 months ago
great pics