I’ve been missing photo-moments in black and white. Things have not been the same since my Panasonic Lumix point-and-shoot broke. It had a dynamic monochrome setting, which I used a lot. I haven’t replaced it with another Lumix because they seem prone to acquiring dust spots on the lens, and quotes to have them professionally cleaned seemed higher than the original cost of the camera.
So ever since, I’ve been using a little Canon Ixus, which is fine for snapping, but somehow its monochrome setting does not enthuse me. I can of course do a spot of post-shot editing to perk things up, and there are also times when conversions from colour turn out quite well.
All the photos here, then, are from my archives. Actually I’m quite pleased to see some of them again. The first three were taken around our previous Wenlock home.
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This next three were taken in various parts of wintery Wales:
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Lens-Artists: Minimalism in Black & White This week Ritva gives us masterclass in monochrome. Please pay her a visit.
Well done Tish – for me your images have a feeling of the depths of winter’s bleakness. I especially liked your two closing images.
Thanks, Tina. And for picking up my wintery bleakness.
Beautiful. Loved the barbed wire and the open field especially – but all are great!
Many thanks, A-C. I like the barbed wire. I always feel it adds to the sense of wintery coldness somehow.
It does. Indeed.
This is a beautiful collection, Tish. I loved the fences, especially.
Many thanks, Egídio. There’s something about fences 🙂
That last one!
Thanks, Flower 🙂
Beautiful examples for this challenge Tish!
Thank you, Anne.
Wonderful images. The rags caught on barbed wire is one I specially liked
Many thanks, I.J.
Bleak and moody, you have captured that so well. Great images, I like them all, but in my opinion the wire is the most minimalist so I am picking that as my favorite
Thanks, Ritva. I like the wire too 🙂
I used a Canon Ixus for the longest time, and relied on a bit of minimal editing to spruce the shots up, but I’m not a photographer, Tish. These remind me of what I’m missing xx
I think we have a similar approach to taking photos, Jo. And we both come up with some good ‘uns, don’t we 🙂
Bit of luck and a prevailing wind, Tish xx
Absolutely, Jo.
love the dark and gritty shots at the top but also the gentler last shot of ?marloes. When my Ricoh CX3 broke I missed its ‘text’ setting because it would draw out the black and white extremes into almost a sketch. And I use my latest Ricoh’s various monochrome jpg modes often, although I can shoot RAW and modify the same after.
Yes, Marloes, Laura. I dither about buying a new camera. I’m not very kind to them, carrying them about in my pocket. And on top of that, I don’t really know much about the processes of photography. More a happy snapper. A Richoh though seems a highly desirable item, and I always enjoy your photos.
I too am a happy snapper Tish – it is far too big a leap of patience, technicality and professionalism for me to be anything other. The Ricoh is pocketable and does most of the work for me too!!
You voiced my resistance to getting to grips with technicalities so well!
Ah, you’re a Panasonic Lumix fan, Dynamic Monochrome setting too? I’m so sorry yours is no longer fit for purpose, and also that you’ve had dust spot issues. Mine is several years old now and I’ve never had a problem, except once, when it was still under guarantee (phew!) and I dropped it on a sandy beach. Your camera served you very well for this post, for sure.
Good to hear your Lumix is lasting well, Margaret.
I like your first two images best, but the tinted images add a little extra that make them pop!
Many thanks, John.
I think I like the last image best but the others are also great at conveying the winter chill and bleakness! I’m sorry your Lumix has packed up on you as they’re great little cameras. But I have to say I almost never use the dynamic monochrome setting as I prefer to shoot in colour and convert later. That way I have both versions, whereas it’s impossible to convert from monochrome to colour!
That is a good point, Sarah. I do convert quite a lot from colour. As ever, I guess much depends on the light quality to begin with.
Great set of images Tish, some of which I remember especially the muddy ploughed field, and the rags on the barbed wire.
Many thanks, Sue. Nice of you to remember some of these shots 🙂
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Capturing winter’s variance – beautiful.
Thank you, Flavia.
Beautiful and so refreshing in monochrome. Winter is an excellent time for this type of photography if the light is right. A lovely selection Tish.
Many thanks, Agnes.