Author: eklastic
Zu alt, um nur zu spielen. Zu jung, um ohne Wunsch zu sein.
Contrasts in light and texture
Cee’s Compose Yourself has turned to black and white photography this month.
Textures can make a black and white photo work. Furs and feathers of animals can thus show off in a black and white picture.
In this picture, the different textures of the individual light feathers and the skin of the dark comb and wattle are effectively juxtaposed.
This pony stands out from the blur of the background. It works well in monochrome because of the colour differences in the coat and mane but equally because the longer, curlier hair of the mane creates a different texture as shorter coat. The background stays a ablur.
The detail of this sculpture is completely different as it is made up of hard metal.
Yet it works because the roughness and flaking of the material creates an interesting texture that becomes visible in the monochrome.
Three different textures dominate in this picture – the polished plastic of the spectacle frames next to the soft smoothness of the skin next to the frizzy hair accentuate this portrait.
The same effect can be seen here – smooth skin next to hair. I find that often portraits work better in black and white, they can be much more flattering to the subject.
And here a last example of difference in texture, again facial hair but it is juxtaposed with the shiny silver beads.
Contrast can of course also come from light differences. In the above pictures this was a visible component as well but it is more pronounced in the following ones.
The bright white bench surrounded by dark, almost black foliage. Contrast doesn’t come much harder than this.
The colour version of this photo shows off the newer, lighter green gingko leaves against the older, darker ones. It works well in green but I think is more dramatic in black and white.
This gerbera also contrasts the front petals with the dark stem and leaves but has shades of grey to offer as well.
This filled tulip stands out against the dark background but the leaves show contrast in themselves – the grey feathery details almost look as if drawn with a thin brush.
Cee’s Compose Yourself Challenge: #23 Black and White: The Basics
Frogs? Aliens? Flossis?
These figures are apparently leftovers from an art installation and have been put up on this building in Düsseldorf in the harbour area next to the Rhine river. They are called “Flossis” which refers to their fins which in German are called “Flossen”. I wish I’d been on the other side of the river, closer to the building for a better photo. But they definitely qualify for Cee’s Oddball Challenge.
https://ceenphotography.com/cees-odd-ball-photo-challenge/
Just a car
The H at the back of the German number plate says the car is considered “vintage”, i.e. older than 30 years and the interior must be original or at least from the correct period.
I am not a car enthusiast but even I could go weak in the knees if somebody offered me a ride in one of these…
And for additional comic relief: Don’t crash your car into a tree!
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Cars, Trucks, or Motorcycles
Two sides to a coin
Two complimentary town signs, one in Germany and one in France – for Cee’s oddball challenge.
https://ceenphotography.com/2016/06/12/cees-odd-ball-photo-challenge-2016-week-24/
City surfing
Another summer collage in response to värikollaasit:
http://uudetvarikollaasit.blogspot.de/
The river Isar runs through Munich. In the middle of the city a permanent wave is formed and it is said that this is where river surfing was first practiced. Now during summer there is always a crowd watching as the surfers display their skills.
Step up – or down
Cee’s Black and White challenge asks for steps and stairs. Most of my choices are outdoor steps.
Nature versus city, the dunes near Bamburgh Castle in the Northeast of England versus steps in Mainz, Germany.
Steps as seats – both in Birmingham. Thomas Attwood on the steps of Chamberlain square who fought for full employment and better democractic representation and city workers on their break (of which Thomas Attwood would have approved).
These rather spidery steps lead over an area which is left untouched to show how nature is recovering after the devastation left behind by the hurricane Lothar which swept through the area in 1999 . The steps on the left are from Edinburgh, Scotland.
The New Steps is a street (with steps) in Edingburgh.
And these are new steps in metal, rather than stone. Going up the spiral stairs near the Biosphärenhaus in the Pfälzer Wald, and going down to the subway in Munich.
https://ceenphotography.com/2016/06/09/cees-black-white-photo-challenge-steps-indoors-or-outdoors/
pictures imperfect blog 