The Magic of Monochrome

I'm starting a new photo series that will be shot in monochrome (black &white).


Why monochrome?

I've been fascinated for a long time at how much of a difference there is between monochrome versus traditional color shots.

 Monochrome can remove distracting elements, drawing the viewer closer into the subject that's been photographed.  The photographer might intent for the viewer to examine it a bit more closely often resulting in a higher emotional response or more memorable photo.

That sounds all hoity-toity, so let me rephrase in simple terms:  it can be more dramatic and generally looks really cool.

Here are a few examples I can share-one from a shoot I did for a local community garden, and one I shot for the new series I  want to explore.

First, the color version. For me this evokes an overall feeling of a warm nostalgic summer day.  You see the 'whole' photo. The background is blurred, but you still take in it as part of the whole.



Garden Daisies-original photo

The monochrome version.  What background?  What stands out here is one particular daisy, and even more specifically, the water droplets on the daisy's petals.



The droplets really stand out with this one.

Another example:

Caspian is just chilling out with his paws on the window screen. A cat's life on a lazy day having a good stretch. Then there's the monochrome shot.   His look appears to be more intense. What has captured this hunter's attention so completely?







He's a willing subject most of the time.







One thing I notice is that his claws are more prominent, lending a somewhat sinister quality.

The descriptions I used are probably cheesy, but I wanted to get the basic idea across.

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The subject matter can also affect the outcome. Andreas Stridsberg lives in Sweden and has traveled throughout Europe.  He's always taken his camera along and after what started as a hobby (when I first met him on an online gallery) and a lot of hard work has resulted in becoming well-respected and sought-after photographer.  Click on the link to see his portfolio and extensive previews of his work.)

This shot has an ageless feel to it.

 

A really neat shot on it's own.

Photos courtesy of Andreas Stridsberg www.mystic-pic.com

  

 

 

This has a sinister, ghostly feel, tinged with some insanity.   

 

 

This one shot from the same series is absolutely beautiful, but skips the darkness of the other. 

Photos courtesy of Andreas Stridsberg www.mystic-pic.com

 

The monochrome adds an old time ghostly, supernatural feel to it. The difference between the two is incredible. Although the above photos look very different, it's the same model.

 

 

 . 

 

Photos courtesy of Andreas Stridsberg www.mystic-pic.com

  

 The monochrome effect here seems to evoke a harsh, stark isolation, while at the same time peaceful and finite. 

 

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When she's not working her 'normal' job, Courtney Campbell is a popular concert photographer.

She is the founder of Musicians Opposed to Bullying and Earplugs Required



Ronnie Radke

       

Ronnie Radke

 

Photos courtesy of Courtney Campbell http://earplugsrequired.com/



 

 The first photo was  taken at an outdoor festival. You can see that he connects with  the crowd, while the monochrome photo has a remote, almost voyeuristic feel.  It's a very powerful, passionate, and intimate image. Ronnie Radke, vocalist for Falling In Reverse.

.

 

 

Jacky Vincent

 

 

Jacky Vincent

 

Photos courtesy of Courtney Campbell http://earplugsrequired.com/

Jacky Vincent, guitarist for Falling in Reverse

 

 

Another example of the differences in concert photography. It should be noted that the challenges involved in capturing a good photo are difficult but can be over come with practice and a good eye. Similar to the other concert photos, there is a sense of intimacy in monochrome. When I asked Courtney about the reasons she might use monochrome in an concert setting she said that it could be something as simple as poor red lighting. 

 

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I'll be going through my bazillion backup disks and pulling out the best to add to the series in addition to the future ones.  I started out shooting on a Cannon Powershot D600, then graduated to a Panasonic Lumix, which I still have and use regularly, and my Nikon D3100.

 

Shot with the Cannon-Oldies but goodies:



Serenity
Aleu, The Offspring's cat years ago.  The very first digital photo I took.


 







A Mother's Touch
This is the hand of The Midget.


 







Mischief
A friend's son. Taken several years ago.







Daydreaming.
The Offspring back in 2007.





Hyacinth

 

 

 

Last but not least, I wanted to say a little about Ansel Adams.  He is best known for his monochrome shots taken in Yosemite back in 1958. His work has only grown more popular and now originals run between $8,000 to $50,000.  He had such an incredible gift. His title of 'The Master of Monochrome" definitely fits.

www.anseladams.com

www.anseladams.com

 

Ansel Adams, self-portrait.

I think that's about it for now.  A photo post was long overdue. If you have any monochrome photos that you want to share, let me know!  A big thanks to my friends Andreas Stridsberg and Courtney Campbell for allowing me the use of their photos. I really appreciate it!


If YOU have any photos you'd like to share, send me an email-I'd be happy to feature what you've done in an upcoming post.  The only requirements are that it's appropriate for all ages. (no explicit sex or violence please).

See you soon!

Robyn :)

A last minute add in:  Any tips or advice you can share regarding this subject-editing software, specific lenses, etc., is always welcome!

 

Change

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.

-Anatole France

 

ccdc

 

ccdc

 

 

Change.

 

What does it mean to you?  Do you fear it?  How does this fear affect you?

 

Webster’s online dictionary proved the following as being terms that are relative to change: alter, make over, modify, recast, redo, refashion, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary fix, freeze, set, stabilize, transfigure, transform, transmute,; commute, convert, exchange; rejigger, & retool.

There were several more, but you get the idea.  Change is inevitable.

Madhura Panse writes:

 

 “Fear isn't always unreasonable; but it is always relentlessly irrational. Change fear comes with all thought-of possibilities whose natures are invariably untoward, and they're existence is unreal in the moment. When a person has fear of change, he's preoccupied with thoughts of only a future that knows not much of mercy, and is haplessly abundant with the grotesque difficulties and a shaky unstable ground, ready to open any time and devour him.” You can read the rest of the article here.

 

Personally, I’ve never been fan of change, as much as I tried to convince myself otherwise. Even when I was in full gypsy mode, traveling with the carnival (that’s a story for another day), meeting new people, trying new things, or just aimless wandering-I was in a pattern of consistency within the inconsistency.

Does that even make sense?  To me it does. Unexpected change is difficult most of the time, but I’m not going to kid you-knowing a change is coming is no picnic either.

 

I had a situation come up recently that really upset me. I stormed, ranted, and raved for two days until it dawned on me that it was not the actual use of the item, but it was the idea that it was no longer going to be available to me if I did need it.  My backup would be gone.  In reality, the likelihood of the actual need for this item was slim to none, but you would think from my reaction that my life depended on it. When I finally calmed down enough to really look at this change, this fear, my brain was sending me a strong distress signal. 

 

“Great-now the one time you won’t have it is the one time you’ll need it.”

 

That was hard to deal with.

 

I’m being sent in a different direction to deal with the underlying issue. I’m relieved and afraid at the same time. Fear of change is a nasty little piece of work, whether we are conscious of it or not. It can take control of your life before you can say ‘fluffernuts’. (You just said it, didn’t you?)

 

I know I am kind of unorthodox when faced with different things, so as far as this issue goes,  I’m just to roll with it and the results l prove themselves.  I’d be lying if I said it was easy; rather it has taken quite a bit of effort.  Once I got used to the idea, the flame as been taken out of the fear and I’m hoping for good things to happen. (And , yes, I've said it sucked in many different ways in this post, which should give you a clue just how much it throws me, lol.)

 

Getting out of one’s comfort zone is a hard thing to do-it’s like getting rid of a much loved, comfortable, and worn shirt. (I have all my torn-up tie dye shirts in my closet…I just can’t seem to let them go, lol).

 

When I had my eldest daughter, I made the choice to step out of my comfort zone to become the mother I knew I needed to be.  I was living a lifestyle that was far from safe for a baby.  It was scary. It was HARD.  I gritted my teeth and got through it, and I’m so proud of myself for it.

 

I’d patted myself on the  back for years as I conquered various fears, from battling my habit of self sabotage as I approached my college graduation (Now what will everyone expect of me).  I’m still waging the epic and eternal battle of the bulges (keeping it real).  Losing weight (I’m safe being fat because it keeps people away from me so I don’t get hurt).  My eldest daughter moving out. (What will I do with all my time? I’ve spent so much time assisting with her daily challenges? Who will need me now?)

 

As you can see, my thoughts trend toward the more dramatic.

 

We seem to forget one thing: change is often good and exciting.

 

So how do we embrace the change and take the reins away from fear and put it into a more realistic place? 

 

There is no recipe to follow, no clear cut diagrams, or step by step guidelines. It’s different for each person.

 

One thing is for certain.  Change will always be a part of life.  It’s all in your perspective.

 

ccdc

 

 

ccdc

 

 

Hightailing it to Montana: The Great Escape

Welcome once again to our adventure. It's almost over and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have!
***

DAY THREE

It's Always The Darkest Before The Dawn 

What can I say? The cold indeed returned but I was prepared with my new blanket at hand, to fend off any breeze, icicle, or snowflake that might decide to appear (you never know).  It actually worked out pretty well for me; The Midget didn't fare so well. Even with the extra blanket, she couldn't shake the cold.

Le Bathroom

 

I stretched out, thinking we might have to spend tomorrow night in the SUV-it's cozy and there's plenty of room when I lay all the seats down.

 

Remember when I was joking about bruised hips? Well the joke's on me after a night that included an intimate encounter with a giant tree root under my tent. I had discovered it around 1 a.m.

 

The Midget had claimed the spot next to me again.  I moved to the right and Voile! Instant misery. After a bit of moving and some silent yet creative cursing, I finally found a spot where I could settle and get some sleep.

 

The trees by our tent

Morning Has Broken

The sun has just started to reach the tent. It's supposed to be up in the mid-90s again. Now I haven't camped in the mountains since I was a little girl and honestly had forgotten how the temperature can vary from day to night.

 

I've mostly camped on the Oregon Coast with my aunt and uncle (Hot and Volcano, respectively-how they earned their nicknames is an entirely different matter). Generally the temps varied by 15-20 degrees on average, not 40!  Rest assured, I will not forget again.

 

If you look closely, you can see an orange blur. The Midget was trying to take a pic of a butterfly in flight.

I absolutely plan on camping in this area again, maybe spending one night at this  place and exploring some of the federal ones before I commit to an unknown. I'd plan to camp here again in August, if possible.

 I should probably get motivated and moving, but it's only 6:30 a.m. I snuggled with The Midget as she's doing her best impression of an icicle once again.

 

 A cool rock The Midget found.

We are awake and the tent is warming much quicker than yesterday.  The water is on the burner (don't judge), and the yellow jackets came to say good morning.  The Midget has decided that she is having two breakfasts today. The first consists of marshmallows, and oatmeal for the second.

 

First peek at daybreak.

 

I forgot to mention that when I first stuck my head out of the tent, I noticed the neighbors had gone. They were really nice people but stuck to themselves. One BIG difference I see between this privately owned campground and a state/federal one is the social aspect. At state/federal parks, there are usually many conversations taking place, new friends being made. and fun being shared. It's almost inevitable.

 This place was quiet and reserved-almost reclusive. It was not something I was used to and you should probably know we are a noisy bunch.  We give new meaning to the phrase 'loud and proud.' 



Berries on the river walk path.

The Midget is VERY social and has no problem starting conversations with anyone,  anytime, and anywhere. I literally had to stop her from going RV front door to RV front door. She wanted to roast marshmallows for the entire campground!

 We are the only tent campers here, and although they have been very gracious about putting us near a power source, etc., next time I will specifically request the tent area that has thick, spongy grass and stay away from the RV spot with its perverted tree root. I have my portable power source and can just let the sun recharge it daily (it would not even dare to rain on me in that situation).

 

Mission: Impossible

Breakfast eaten, dishes done, and coffee inhaled, we went to stow our stuff away inside the tent.  I hear a noise like a quiet snap, and a giggle. The Midget has declared a new mission of the greatest importance.

 

She has decided that all bugs, specifically a daddy longlegs spider, need to be flicked off the tent from the inside. Oh the humanity! We are off to start our (early) day.

 

Lighting the way and repelling bugs at the same time.

 

***NEWSFLASH***

 

We interrupt this camping trip with an urgent bulletin.
 

We have decided it's in our best interest to go home today. I had called home late last night  to make sure my older offspring wasn't throwing a rave in my living room and she asked if some of our friends-well, actually they are more like family-could stay with us for two weeks.  I had agreed and realized I just needed to be home to help them settle in, etc.

 I wasn't looking forward to a night of shivering, to be honest. This is also our week to pick raspberries at the community garden. I'd decided to let it go for a couple of days to let everything ripen up on the bush so there would be lots of goodness waiting.

 

A random fern.

The bees have been quite friendly as well.  I can honestly say I've never seen a bee/wasp fight.  It would make a great horror movie.   The Midget was not pleased with said bug friendliness either.  I simply just didn't want to add anymore bug juice to the pages of this journal.

It's time to start tearing everything down. :(

 

Ramble On

Everything is ready to pack in.  Only the tent remains the same.  I amazed myself-I got the tent taken down in a reasonable amount of time and even rolled up and in to the bag in one try! 

 

Almost done!

I had planned to carve my initials in the giant tree root in revenge.  Tent packed up, I went over and saw....a big ROCK.  Wow I'm glad it didn't tear the floor in my tent.  Or break one of my ribs, lol.

 

Flowers along the river walk trail.

I wanted to return the blanket that I was not going to need and it was in perfect condition so I wrapped it back up packed the car full and went to check out.  They thanked us for staying and mentioned that The Midget was very entertaining (code word: a bit much), lol.  

 

We headed back to Libby and I was honest about the return. It was not a problem and we again headed west in search of home.   As a last minute twitch, we pulled over just to see if our carver was there. He was not, but I  really do plan to take a day trip over and try to find him before winter sets in.

 

Our trip home was uneventful!

Heading home!

 

I am writing this MUCH later,  because I've been busy-birthdays, company, etc.  I'm looking forward to another visit.  I want to explore the Yak River federal campground. I don't care if it's primitive. You can camp right next to the creek, which is win in my book.    Maybe I will just take an overnighter to Libby and explore several of the area campgrounds so I will have a list to choose from. 

 

I also want to explore Idaho's parks. When I renewed by car tabs, I went ahead and purchase a parks pass for an extra $10. It's good for a year and covers the entrance fee to any Idaho state park.  Camping is a separate fee, but often there will be a discount. I'd like to get one for Montana as well. They are more expensive but I think they have more benefits to them.

 

So thus concludes our camping trip.  I hope you enjoyed reading about it!

 

 

Note: all photos used in this post were taken by The Midget. :)