In Praise of Black and White: Part V

Almost like clockwork, every January I’m reminded of my love for black and white. Maybe it’s the monotones of winter. Maybe it’s the bright white snow against a black sky. Maybe it’s because each year a new Ansel Adams calendar hangs on my studio door.

Whatever it may be, I’ve long been drawn to the beauty of black & white art, going back to the first time I picked up that favorite tool of mine (the #2 pencil) and sensed that magic was held within its lead.

From pencil or pen to the magnificent drama of a fine black & white photograph, I’m captivated by the power and emotional breadth that can be achieved without a spot of color. No distractions. Just character and grace, depth and strength and guts and mood. And like a good story, well done black & white allows your mind to add its own color by filling in what’s left unsaid.

Enjoy!

1d2f5f2d2fa35f176b5f04697a47bca2

Jornal da Fotografia

cowgirl.boot2

Clare Colins

paris.fog2

Michael Rajkovic

amish.field2

Jenő Dulovits, 1935

snowy.field2

Gorazd Kranjc

ocean.wave2

from UltraLinx

eagle.photo2

Yves Schüpbach

baby.wolf2

Jeff M for Short / Lifecreations

cobweb2

Patrick Hübschmann

batman.robin2

Batman and Robin

apple.waterdrops2

by the-definition.deviantart.com

old.woman2

found on The Happy Mango @ pinterest

violin2

Nelson Rietzke

old.camera2

source unknown

254f3753a74f73789254a5f768fec4e5

Joko on 500px

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source unknown

gatsby

source unknown

Andre Kohn

Andre Kohn

Patricia Saxton

 

Stéphane Berla

Stéphane Berla

Patricia Saxton / Book of Dragons

Patricia Saxton / Book of Dragons

source unknown – possibly claudihexlein?

wedding.cake2

Modwedding

Portrait and wedding photographer East Yorkshire

Ally Byrom

white.cat2

Vishuddha

sea.rocks2

Michel Rajkovic

mlk.blackwhitehands

source unknown

 

Please note, I’ve tried to find image sources for all of these images, and sometimes failed. I would love to give proper credit where due, so if you know the original source of any of these labeled “source unknown”, please let me know!

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Loving Doisneau

Photo professionals and art history buffs have surely fallen in love with French photographer Robert Doisneau long before I did ~ but no matter when in time, I’m glad I found him. Of course, we’ve all seen his work, but perhaps didn’t know the name behind the lens.

His work is rich, spontaneous, human story-telling at its photographic best. And, if by chance I needed anything more to endear me to his work, it’s black & white.

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Robert Doisneau lived from 1912 – 1994. There’s a fabulous site about Doisneau and his work, here.

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