This last weekend I was able to get out and take some photos. I don’t seem to do it as much as I used to. Still, I do love it when I can.
I have been very disillusioned with the city and every time I go in there I am often so disappointed. I love architecture, but the city has become so grungy and they seem to be building stuff everywhere.
My friend Steve and I thought maybe we should start looking for great architecture out of the city, so on Sunday, we took a trip to Brighton Town Hall and Library.
The town hall was a bit disappointing. It was on a corner but there were so many power lines, cars and trees that it was hard to get a good photo. I did do some on the other side of it, which I think is where the main entrance was.
In the end, I spent more time photographing the library, so I have a photo of that for you.
Interesting with this image too is that I spent so much time working on it. I haven’t done an image like this for a long time. It was nice to just go with the flow and see where the image took me.
It is one thing I like about processing. I try not to have a preconceived idea of what the image will look like and just go with it. I try things and just see what works.
How do you work on your images? I’ve wondered about doing videos on this sort of thing.
Monochrome Madness from the past
As I’ve said in the past I’ve wanted to show previous images that I have done for Monochrome Madness. Today I have the black and white version of an image I showed you on Friday. It was one of the ones from New York that I took while on the Staten Island Ferry.
I think I processed it as a black and white image and then afterwards converted it back to colour.
Which one do you think is better?
I love the way the big buildings don’t look huge, that is until you look at the bottom of them and see the tiny ones. Scale is a great thing.
That’s it for today but don’t forget if you want to participate keep reading to find out how.
Participating in Monochrome Madness
If you would like to participate in this challenge please post photos on your blog and use the tag Monochrome-Madness, as then I can use the reader to see what you post. Also, use the tag mid-week monochrome to catch Bren’s as well.
I’m afraid I don’t use Social Media much anymore, but maybe tag it #monochromemadness for Instagram and I will try and look. That would be brilliant.
My tiny old darkroom is now dismantled. Unlikely to get set up again as it is used for DIY tools and shelving now exists. I used an early 1900’s Wetzler Ernst Leitz enlarger with both singular contrast papers (vintage too) and filters with the modern multigrade papers. Manipulation for effects was dodge and burn. Camera? Filters. Usually yellows. Never use colour film at all on the SLR’s or the medium format. All Pentax cameras. Used a flat bed scanner which is no longer compatible with my new laptop. Scanned finished prints. So a new venture of buying a negative scanner for new laptop awaits. Trouble is….I’m a technophobe! Your monochrome work is amazing. Cheers and all the best.
I had a darkroom back in the day too, though I found it so frustrating. It is an amazing way to start and I know there are things I learned through that process that I still use now. I have to admit I love, love Photoshop, or just processing, it gives me more creative freedom I find. Thank you for sharing.
The darkroom is a great base for learning as you say. The chemicals involved were not so great. I’m a technophobe. Have never shot anything digital other than my iPad for blog photos. So that is why I kind of love all things vintage. So this film and Caffinol-C with a flat bed negative scanner synergy set up sounds ideal. Photoshop is my daughter’s photography comfort zone too. I’ll be having a chat. 😊 All the best for your ambitions next year. Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated.
I have to say I got to really hate using film, I hated the way I didn’t always have control over my images. Things that were in them and then I couldn’t get rid of them. I am not a technophobe, and I feel in love with photography again when I learned how to use editing software and then getting my first digital SLR was magic. Haha, it is funny how we all approach it and really no one way is ideal for everyone, I think as long as you are doing it and love what you are doing, then who cares how you achieve it. Thank you and all the best to you for the year ahead.
Thank you. Just to develop the film will be great. All the best.
I will let you do it,lol
😊 Thank you. Seriously though. It is just nice to have some element of film production. Even to the stage of ‘from latent magical unknown image’ to ‘negative reality’. Negative scanners can do the rest. My old Wetzler Ernst Leitz enlarger is a vintage aesthetic that looks great inside the house. So, it sits in the study looking very cool. All the best for 2023.
I think if you like doing it then you should. It was never for me. I have scanned a heap of my negatives, well a while a go. Thank you and all the best to you as well.
My daughter has the same idea as you do. She uses an SLR digital and edits. Like yourself, her results are brilliant. I have the Pentax LX and a couple of other Pentax SLR body’s and the various lenses are compatible across them all. Also a Pentax 645. Film can be developed without a darkroom. The negative scanner basic results could then be followed up with Photoshop to enhance. Thank you for your insights. All the best to you too.
Sounds like you have all the gear, my first SLR was a Pentax K1000. I used to develop film in a special bag for it. It is always interesting to see what people do.
Just bought a new ‘dark room’ bag. My old one got mistaken for a t shirt and got sent to the charity shop! My two other Pentax are the MX and MLE. But hardly used. The LX is just so good to use. Cheers for the reply. Much appreciated.
I bet the charity got and wondered what it was. No problem, always nice to chat.
You inspired me to edit ine of my tecent photos and I have to say I like it more than the original. I’ll share the link if you’d like to look. https://issababycreates.com/2022/12/06/monochrome-madness-spotted-owl/
I have seen it, but haven’t commented yet, but plan on doing it.
You are so right about the change in our perception of the size of the buildings when seeing in monochrome! Thanks for showing that 🙂
You’re welcome, thank you.
Really enjoy your black and whites, very talented!
Thank you so much.
I love both shots. But l do like black and white shots or monochrome in this case. Of the two, l prefer and that is a hard choice as l like both for different things – l like the library because of the roundness and how it sits within the picture whilst l love the buildings because of the very oblong nature.
Thank you, good to hear. I also like the reasons you have given for which one you prefer. It is always good to hear what people think.
The lighting on the Library is great. I to, like to try and see what can happen when I try different things when trying to get the look I want.
Thank you Bushboy. I had to fudge that quite a bit. I am so glad to hear you like doing that as well. I love seeing where an image can take you.
These are super cool and I will definitely be sharing the tag next time I share any Mono photos on my blog.
I have, however, been sharing images for my 30 Day Photo Project for November which ends tomorrow. All photos shared were in Mono. You are more than welcome to check them out!
Thank you and that would be great.
Thanks for letting me know I will see if I can.
I think every city is grungy in it’s own way, Leanne, it’s certainly true of Las Vegas. The library has a unique shape. ❤️
I guess that is true, but I hate all the building, it is everywhere. It is driving me mad. Thank you John, the library is kinda cool.
Interesting what you say about your city architecture. When I go to London these days, I find all the new architecture, the gherkin and the shard and such like seem to be such a hotchpotch of styles..
I think in the city of Melbourne right now they are building things every where. They are building a new train tunnel underneath so you have lots of buildings that have been taken down. The skyline is full of cranes. I just don’t like it as much. Even the river is now being filled with things on it. I don’t know it is going crazy.