Grit and Grain: Black & White Photo Sketches
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I have not yet bought that expensive digital camera I promised myself and that I (?) deserve.
It's just that tax season is upon us, and though I am something of a shopper, in general, I also have a little bit of a problem actually spending large sums of money on perceived 'luxury' items. Even if they may pay for themselves in positive experiences and rewards in under a few months. (For the record, I've purchased a domain and am starting a web gallery of work that will eventually be for purchase.)
Anyway, I'm still stuck with an old junk camera, I guess by choice.
The following photos employ the artistic use of grain--as in part, the camera I am using is somewhat prone to it! Secondly, the subject matter is of the 'street,' most of the scenes taken in San Francisco. I personally like noticing beauty in the grit out there, as much as Iike admiring natural beauty and especially what 'most' would consider, perhaps, beautiful--the many overdone sunsets and mountain shots you find in tourists shops here in Arizona come to mind.
I'm currently reading a photography book, "Exploring the Light," by photographer Rick Sammons, and as he says, there is no such thing as a bad photograph, that "photography is a personal thing--like pizza. Meaning that if someone likes a picture--even if it is out of focus, poorly composed, and over-or underexposed--it's a good photograph."
Also that digital noise is not always a bad thing, and adds interest, and that even, "if a photograph is so boring you notice the grain, its not a good (composition) anyway. It is with these considerations that I hope you will allow me when you view this next set of photographs.
Photo Linear
Three Pigeons
Past the low desert, to the sea
Silhouette
Dark Diebenkorn
Fall Street
The Rim
On abstract photograpy and painting:
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The Edge of Vision: The Rise of Abstraction in Photography
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Digital Abstract & Macro Photography (One Off)
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El Lissitzky: Beyond the Abstract Cabinet: Photography, Design, Collaboration
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Create and Be Recognized: Photography on the Edge
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Paradiso: Photography and Video by Silvio Wolf (Italian Edition)
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Comments
Thanks, Chris! I knew you'd be one of the first to come. Again, these are kind of scraps I made into 'art' (if they succeeded). Maybe with the next pay stub I'll buy that dreamt of Nikon.
I really like the gritty reality of both Fall Street and Three Pigeons - your photo realism as portrayed in the Rim is very dramatic - I like your style...cheers and thanks for sharing your work ....cheers
Thank you, ajcor! I always tell people with some of these--they are kind of odds and ends. Just wait until I get a real camera. Thanks for coming to my hubs. I know I need to come by you poetry hubs, :) but it is midnight here, and I should go to bed.
sleep well Lita and rest that brain of yours!...cheers
Good pigeon shot, glad to see that one turned out. They peck around and managed to compose the picture for you, nice, we seem to have similar interests. Buy the digital you deserve it and you will go nuts using it and not have to pay for film, well worth the cost. You can pick one up for $150. or less and have a great camera. You have an eye for it and you can always use the computer and add some grain!
What is it about b & w photos that is so engaging? Is it because we were raised on b/w tv and movies? That we appreciate light and shade, grit and grain (great phrase, btw)? Lovely photos. My BF for several years was a photojournalist, and he was frustrated with his digital camera for a few years until they got even better than they were then -- something about the view on the screen being misleading, I wasn't listening to his grumbles -- now he loves it -- so look at it this way: the longer you wait to get your camera, the better it will be. There.
Fabulous pics especially 'The Rim'. Who says colors are always beautiful. Thumbs up.
I like 'Fall Street' and 'The Rim' best. I've a real soft spot for black and white photography. There's something really atmospheric about it. I still use 35mm, mostly colour though. I' ve a great old camera that takes superb photos, and I'm just not ready to part with it.
Bonitas fotos! I wonder the same as Teresa, what is it about black and white that is so engaging? I think you'll love your digital camera when you get it :)
Thanks, all of you.
C.S... I know I should buy the camera! Maybe I will this weekend, :).
Teresa... I know EXACTLY what he is talking about. My BF's camera is just like that, that is why I want EXPENSIVe. (I am so bad.) And I believe it is about the reduction of elements that make b&w photos so satisfying. Reducing certain things, you are freer to actually SEE.
Anjali--Thank you. Some of the color photos I have of the Grand Canyon are not bad either, its just I"m known (lol) as a b&w photographer by now.
Amanda--I loved the old 35mm. The ones you can control. Incidentally, that's why I want an expensive digital. So it will be more like those old cameras.
Thanks, Elena. I think with reduction comes more empasis on shape and shadows/light.
Is this what's called monochromatic? Grayscale when I'm doing computer graphics. I like this stuff. When the subject is right the absence of color is definitely a plus.
Photo Linear and Past the low desert are my picks.
Thanks, CWB--
Yep, Grayscale in Photoshop. I'm a graphic designer, too, so, yeah... Monochromatic--single tone, yes.It's funny how the favorites differ. Now I want to hear REM. :)
As a black and white photographer, I really appreciate your photos. I also grew up in Arizona, so some good memories as well.
Great photographs! I loved the photo linear! And all the rest. And I 'm a big fan of pigeons my self :D
Wow, lafenty...I missed your comment. Thanks for visiting. These were mostly taken in San Francisco, but I know what you are saying about AZ. Will have to come and look at your work (lol if you ever see this,haha).
Hi, WC. You must live in a city in Greece, to be fond of pigeons, ;) lol Thank you. Nice to hear from a fellow visual person.
You are very perceptive! It's true, I live in Athens and the city is full of pigeons, sometimes I wonder how they make it in this noisy and crowed place :o
Many in New York, too, where I lived. They live off people throwing food in the parks, lol. I would love to visit Athens!
Hey, you 're welcome!! It's a little bit of a madhouse but it has its moments.. and of course its monuments! :D
As always articulate and very, very interesting.
Cris A says:
11 months ago
I like the Photo Linear - the texture is almost palpable. And The Rim - it's so majestic in its stakness! I envy your eye for great photography - but i guess i've said that already! LOL two thumbs up! way way up! and thanks for sharing :D