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Monochrome Madness,  Photographic techniques,  Themed galleries

Gallery: some favourites in black and white

August 29, 2024 / 40 Comments

To me, photography must suggest, not insist or explain

Brassai

I like Brassai’s comment because it gives freedom to the photographer. Our images don’t have a particular job to do, they can stand alone. And the viewer is free too, to interpret them as they wish. They can follow the image’s ‘suggestion’ or search for other meanings – or none.

With that in mind I have selected some favourite black and white shots (some taken originally in that format but most converted from colour images) to share for this week’s Monochrome Madness. While there is no set theme this week, I liked Leanne’s idea of simply sharing favourites. I should add that while these are favourites today, tomorrow I might make a very different selection!

Of course, the problem with presenting favourites is that you’ve quite likely seen them before! But I tried to include at least some that I’ve not previously used. For the conversions I, as always, used Nik Silver Efex Pro.

LANDSCAPES

Waves breaking on rocks and seabirds flying

Rough seas at Puñihuil Beach, Chiloe Island, Chile

Rocky jetty and view of snow-covered mountains

View from Telegrafbukta, Tromsø, Norway

Child running on a beach with a stick

On First Beach, La Push, Washington State

Silhouetted trees and white cloud

Trees on Capulin, an extinct volcano in New Mexico

Small boat passing bank with palm trees

On the Kerala Backwaters, India

Mist over a still lake

Kielder Water, Northumberland, England

NATURE

Dramatic spiky plant

Bird of Paradise flower in Brindisi, Italy

Spiny reptile on rough rocks

Marine iguana, Isla Santiago, Galápagos

Elephant in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Face-on close shot of an elephant

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Two women sitting talking outside a shop

In Sofia, Bulgaria

Woman seated at a table reading a newspaper

Outside a bar in Bologna, Italy

Mannequin

Fashion shop window, Bologna, Italy

ARCHITECTURE

Zigzag patterned modern building wall with a small tree

In Shoreditch, east London

Curved staircase against a wood panelled wall

In Canada Water Library, London

Looking up a spiral staircase

Inside Cape May Lighthouse, New Jersey

MISCELLANEOUS

Feather on gravel ground

Feather, Leipzig, Germany

Old fire truck outside a small wooden church

Elizabethtown, a ghost town in New Mexico

40 Comments

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