Patti challenges me to explore monochrome images that feature shadows and reflections. This is a photo challenge, indeed. When out with my camera, reflections on glass, water, and shiny objects cause me to look for composition ideas. Shadows have the same effect. Adding monochromatic images is a new aspect for me. In the late 1960’s I started to use color film. With my first Imperial Debonair box camera, a 1940’s Voigtlander very manual 35mm rangefinder, and a Yashica 35mm camera I used black & white film exclusively. So I became aware of what images would work in b&w (and shades of gray). Contrasting shades, strong shapes, interesting lines, and of course shadows. It was not until the 1970’s that I switched to Kodachrome. Looking at many of my images it seems that I prefer them in color, but I did find some that worked as monochromatic images.
When I lived in New York I always made time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This image was taken on my last trip in 2014. The first image I processed in b&w Adobe monochrome
No processing going on here. It was a cold, dreary, snowy day perfect for visiting a museum.
This was taken at the same time, but this time I used standard Adobe color processing. It still is a monochromatic image.
Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park
This image was taken in Truckee Ca. in the fall.
My first dog was Liberty Love, a black Labrador Retriever. I knew that photographing a black dog requires careful lighting unless you want to end up with a big black blob. Side lighting is needed to see the texture of her fur. I processed most of these in Adobe b&w. In some photos, I just desaturated the color.
Though I still like to see her with her warm brown thoughtful eyes. I miss you love!
Shadow of cliffs at Half Moon Bay. What do you see?
Black and white photographs are monochromatic since they are all shades of gray. The following photographs are monochromatic because they are all shades of one color. Mono means one, and chroma means color. This can be achieved during processing or not.
Marysville, Ca.
Nevada City, Ca. antique shop
American River on an early January morning with the fog just rising
The town of Bodie, Ca
Shadow friend’s picture in Kauai
I have been challenged, and I hope that you enjoyed my exprerience.
Another example of how photography reflects my state of mind. A couple of weeks ago I had a lot going on, and I set time aside to get out and shoot. This is a good thing. The problem arose when I returned home and reviewed my images.
My Camera Totin’ Tuesday group planned an indoor shoot because the temperature was rising. So off to the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento we headed.
First mirror we encounter. Time for a group photo!
Cool in more ways than one, but challenging for photography. The scene is dark.
Many RR enthusiasts volunteer at the museum
The locamotives are black, and the lighting is diverse. Some areas have fluorescent light, some areas tungsten. There are cool use of mirrors throughout the museum.
Elegantly appointed interior, for some.
When I got home and reviewed the images, I was disappointed in my work. So I set it aside. Well I may have pouted also. Remember, I said that much has been on my mind lately.
My grandson lives with us since he was 17. When he moved out of his mother’s house I made sure that he would graduate, and with this sense of accomplishment I hoped he would pick up some habits to help transition into the adult world. He did graduate so we succeeded in the first part. He succeeded in getting a job as a courtesy clerk at a supermarket. No problems there. This is part-time, and we provide transportation and his on-time performance has our help. At this time I feel like our safety net is not helping this transition. There doesn’t seem to be an end game in place.
When he is home I hardly know that he is here. He basically lives in his room, and only comes out the grab something to eat. He is addicted to online gaming, and media. Luckily, I don’t share his bathroom, but my cats do. I don’t venture into his room unless I want to retrieve some camera equipment. The site is not pretty. I read in the Sacramento Bee that kids are remaining in their parent’s home for longer period so I know that I am not alone with this troubling issue.
Ok, he is a boy, he is 19 and our values differ. But, and this a big but, the level of cooperation is zero. Attitude could not be more disrespectful, especially to his grandfather. And that is what needs to change. Talking hasn’t worked. I am almost convinced that by living here he will not grow up. This weighs heavy on both myself and my husband. There is a lot of stress in the house. I would like a bit of freedom to plan out-of-town adventures with my husband. Luckily, I get out to capture images with my friends.
Back to the Railroad Museum. Last night I looked at my files, key worded in Lightroom, and made some adjustments. Usually, I find that if I am happy with a couple of shots then I call the shoot a success. Found myself selecting many photos as favorites for my collection set! Yes. Here are some results from my Sacramento Railroad Museum challenge. Up the ISO and take care of noise in Lightroom. WB is adjusted in Lightroom. Use of Flash is sometimes difficult due to size of subject, and color of subject. So sometimes I focused on smaller subject and details.
I like the way the pattern seems to continue on and on.
I managed to take this one without a Flash.
For the next photo, I used a flash and focused on the eyes. For more information about Rosie the Riveter, click on the link beneath the photo.
This image was shot without a flash since it was too far for flash to make a difference.
Rosie the Riveter
You can feel the motion of the train in some of the cars.
This train had quite a kitchen!
A shout out to my New York roots.
Quite the dining car! No paper plates and plastic sporks here.
The old contrasting the future
The small contrasting the large
Will this be the look of the future? Not very elegant, in my opinion.
A face-off
I see a face smiling at me
I always look for textures for future photo edits using my new Topaz Texture Effects plug-in
Mirrors and more mirrors lead to the next few images. No flash here.
Lines and triangles reflected
Changing ISO creates another capture. Used Lightroom for noise suppression in photo.
Got caught up with all the possible looks.
Crazy mirror photo continues
Final mirror image at the Railroad Museum
All photography done without benefit of a tripod. Talking to a docent I found out that there is an event set up just for photography called, “Trains and Tripods”. I will be on the lookout for this event when it comes around again.
Note to self. Review photos again after some time has past. And not after a go round with a family member.
A Photo's Worth 