I WANTED TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE

Brassy color, harsh lights and dark skies made me wonder what one of the carnival images would look like in black and white. I think it’s interesting.                  

A CHALLENGE

One of my local colleagues, Mike Matney, an excellent photographer, got involved in a challenge set by other shooter friends: a one-week image diary, black and white, no caption, no explanation. His first image is a light, exquisite flower. I wasn't sure I have the self-discipline for this but I'm going to give it a try. However, I decided to do it more as a day in the life, a single image from the day I lived. And so it begins.

AND HAPPY BASTILLE DAY! 

               

DERIVATIVE OR INSPIRED

There are lots more pictures from the orchid show at the botanical garden. Some of them are pretty good, IMHO. It's not just about the color, though. I've always admired Robert Mapplethorpe's black and white photos of flowers. They are stripped of their hues and rely on line, form and contrast. They're gorgeous.

So every time I visit this show I try some of that approach in post production. Maybe it's derivative, just imitating Mapplethorpe's style. Maybe he is an inspiration, pushing me to find my own style in this genre. If you like the picture the assessment is up to you.              

Pared Down

One thing that people love about fireworks is the brilliant color. But strip that away and you get designs with abstract beauty, still carrying graphic power.

Unfortunately, no photograph can convey the boom, the concussion that hits you in the chest and shakes your body. Maybe we'll get that four or five versions of Photoshop down the line.                      

Day's End In The Grove

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As I mentioned is yesterday's post, this one's for our friend Snapper of Gabriola Daily Photo. It reminds me of his style - he likes quiet shots of daylight filtering through the woods. His work is more pure than mine. His favorite tool is a classic Leica film camera. My stuff is tech heavy digital but it's the final result that counts. This image from Tower Grove Park is an HDR with much processing in Photomatix and Photoshop. HDRs are often full of hallucinogenic color but it's fascinating to see the effects you can get in low key black and white pictures.

WHAT I DID LAST NIGHT: Got a haircut! Not a common event. Sort of a low priority in a very busy life.

TOMORROW: Thursday Arch Series (on Thursday this week) and a new Arch photo on Gateway.