When I first began taking classes in photography, my world was black and white. We would shoot black and white film, take it to the dark room and process it from start to finish. I began to see differently. I remember saying at one point, “I don’t like color photography”. I think what I meant was, when I shoot in monochrome, my mind has to think in a more basic, yet in some ways more complex manner. I pay more attention to things like lines, patterns, shadows and subtleties that don’t always take center stage with color-filled moments. There is poetry in the gradient of white to black.
At the end of July, I heard about a group shooting all August long in black and white. And it got me seeing and processing my images in a way that I used to, in those simple blacks, whites and wonderful shades of grey. I am falling in love again with the uncomplicated tones and contrast of the work, and I love that I can be sitting in the park while I post process my images. Although if I had a dark room and a few rolls of tri-x to develop, I would be all over that in a hot second. For now, I am happily satisfied with my VSCOcam filters and a few favorite mixes in Hipstamatic to fall in love with the world of photography that got me hooked in the first place.
Moments while I am out and about. And those mundane around the house instances that stop me in my tracks.
I should say that editing in black and white hasn’t been limited to just mobile photography, but it’s how I am most happily enjoying the challenge this month as I cruise between my personal and client-based work.
Share with us a few of your favorite black and white images as of late in the comments.
And, although it isn’t a part of Mortal Muses, if you would like to see where some of my inspiration is coming from, you can check the Instagram or Twitter hashtag: #lifeinbw And on Facebook, join the Life in Black & White group (started by Mortal Muse Founder, Tammy Lee Bradley)
Keep chasing that light, Vanessa Simpson
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Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who commented over the past few days participating in our Gatherings through the Lens giveaway! Congratulations goes out to Lisa Clarke and Patricia! Yippee! You are the winners of Holly’s e-course giveaway!
Class doesn’t begin until thursday, so there’s plenty of time to sign up! You can learn more about Holly’s Gatherings through the Lens workshop here.
These are wonderful and inspiring shots, Vanessa. As part of the team of “Life in Black and White” I would just like to mention that it is a public group on Facebook, open to all photographers, novice to professional, headed up by the original founder of Mortal Muses, Tammy Lee Bradley. Thanks so much for the mention.
Thanks for sharing that info Susan! I am loving the group and all the variations of inspiration!
I am so thrilled to see that I am one of the winners of the workshop, “Gatherings Through the Lens.” But now I am not sure what my to do next to get in the class. Thanks so much again.
patricia
I’m always the one snapping pictures at all of the family get-togethers so I am thrilled to have won a spot in the class – thanks!!