“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”
~Ansel Adams
Open
Reaching
Layered
“If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.”
~Lewis Hine
Patterns
Perfect Landing
Positive, Negative
“Once I’m working I try to relax deeply into the work and make it into a meditation.”
~Theresa Bayer
Garden Gate
Droplets
Wood Line
Images made with the Fujifilm X-T2, Fujinon 35mm f/2 shot in
Acros Film Simulation.
You have a third eye for monochrome that is wonderful, in my case I am blind to it to photograph, but not to appreciate the beauty of your compositions. “Perfect landing”… even it seems to have a sound as a “puff”, so delicate.
Thanks very much, Francis. I really appreciate your thoughts. That was a great morning of “seeing” and I’m so glad you enjoyed them.
Fabulous images! Especially Open, Reaching, Layered, Patterns and Wood Line. Great shots again, Jane!
Best regards, Heidi
Thank you very much, Heidi. I’m so glad you like these– it really was a meditative morning photographing in black and white.
The macros: OPENED and LAYERED are just so amazing. 🙂 🙂 These monochrome photos are just wow!!!!!!!! ❤️️❤️️❤️️
Thank you so much, Manidipa. I love “seeing” in monochrome. Pleased you liked them.
Yes definitely! Seeing in monochrome can be a fulfilling experience. And it was my pleasure. 🙂
Amazing photo’s I love Open and Layered – Such a contrast from innocent a new to old and wise
Thanks so much, Chris. I enjoyed these quiet moments. Glad you did, too.
Wonderful observations and captures! I especially love ‘Wood Line’ and the curving leading line … nice find!
Thanks so much, Denise. It’s a fave spot in the Presidio. It’s an art installation. 😉
Work of Art!
Thank you so much Sunnydays! Much appreciated.
Rather “Wood Line” 😂
And Open !
Thank you, Diane! 😁
These are terrific. . Woodland especially captures my eye . Sorry if I already commented previously ,… I like to look at the postings twice at different times & sometimes don’t recall if I already commented. Just Know that I always thoroughly enjoy seeing them whether I have commented or not & really appreciate that you share the fruits of your talented labor Jane!! 💓
Hi Diane, how wonderful that you revisit…much appreciated. Your comments always make my day so multiple ones sure are fine! 😆
Wow, Jane. I love the richness of these b & w images. I’ve never tried the filter effects, but they look great!
Thanks very much, Patti. Glad you like the tonal range, I was pleased. Suggest giving the film sims a try. The color ones are interesting as well.
Will do, Jane. Thanks for the tip.
For me, your photographs are not a simple capture of an attractive subject, but they are a moving attempt to express the emotional impact that everyday life generates in you.
Marcelo, That is something I dream of when creating images, thank you so much. Your thoughtful comments have made my day.
The last photo with the winding path is absolutely stunning! I love it!
Thanks so much, Cecilia. It is a favorite spot in the Presidio that is an art installation by Andy Goldsworthy. Pleased you like it.
Hi Jane! What a wonderful selection of photographs for this week’s challenge. The last picture (Wood Line) was my favourite. Have a wonderful New Year filled with many more exciting places to visit! 🙂
Thank you so much, Cheryl. Wood Line is a wonderful art installation in the Presidio and clearly a crowd fave here. I hope you and Basil have a fabulous year ahead as well! 🙂
Don’t know which one I love most, their all so pretty!
Thanks very much, TC. I’m so glad you enjoyed these nature moments. 🙂
Ansel Adams said some good things. At http://iphf.org/inductees/ansel-adams/ I found this humorous one:
Born on February 20, 1902, Ansel grew up in a house situated on the dunes west of San Francisco with a beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The house remained mostly intact after the great earthquake in 1906. Ansel did too, for the most part. After the initial shock the family decided to take refuge outside. As Ansel was playing in the garden a terrible aftershock hit and threw Ansel’s four-year-old frame face down onto a low brick wall. If you will look closely at his portraits you will see that his crooked nose was never repaired. The doctor, at the time, told his parents to wait until he matured to achieve a better aesthetic repair. Ansel said that, “apparently I never matured, as I have yet to see a surgeon about it.”
Hi Steve, Yes, this is a famous story about Ansel’s nose and sense of humor. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂 I am a huge admirer.
I met him once, very briefly, at a book signing in New York, I think in the 1970s. For a long time afterwards I regretted not ordering a few prints from him back then, when they could be had for just a few hundred dollars each. Part of the problem was that I didn’t have spare hundreds of dollars lying around in those days, though I wish I’d borrowed the money.
Hi Steve, Wow! How wonderful that you met Ansel. What a treasured memory. You would have had quite the return on investment with those purchases!
Beautiful images Jane. Inspiring, makes me want to go out and shoot black and white. “Open” is fantastic.
Thanks very much, Göran. So glad you like them– Open was satisfying to make. I love shooting in B&W since it draws out details for the viewer that color often masks. This flower is red… 🙂 Appreciate you stopping by.
You bring out the beauty in every thing through your camera lens, no need for words here Jane
You are very kind and encouraging, Pauline. Thanks very much. Hope you and Jack are well.
My goodness. Too many favourites to mention, although I guess I am a sucker for water droplets, bark and paths. What a great quote: “If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.”
~Lewis Hine
Thanks, Lisa. How nice of you. It was a great morning for discovering. I love that quote, too. So true. 🙂
I like the tree in “reaching.” That is a very cool shot.
Thanks very much, Jeff. I am rather obsessed with branches in winter and this spot in Healdsburg is a favorite. Happy you like it.
That first flower looks like a piece of jewelry! Wonderful.
Thanks very much, Jay. That’s a great observation! Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
great details in these shots…loving the ‘quiet color’👍 mysterious……..great stuff!!!!
Thanks, April. I really enjoyed making them. Glad you like the series!
These are really nice, Jane, and I can see you enjoyed yourself. And some are in the aftermath of that rain, right? The Garden Gate with those spiderwebs full of rain, so beautiful. “Open” is stunning, just beautifully toned, and the perfect landing was just that. I love the odd angle of the layered plant, like you bent down to peer up into it so we could see the tiny flowers, thank you. The title tells it!
Hi Lynn, Your reaction means a lot. It was a super foggy morning in the city, very quiet. You highlighted some favorites moments where I was really enjoying the creative process. I’m sure you can relate given your work. 😉 Thanks very much and hope you have a great week!
You’re too kind. 😉 I love the idea of the fog quieting everything….and you out there, being entranced…nice.
📷😍
The fog’s entrance can entrance.
You are clever, Steve. 🙂
Sweet images and I always like your “Quotes”!
Thanks, Michael. Always great to hear from you!
A perfect landing with “Wood Line”, Jane. These 2 images are my favorites. But the whole series is special. Happy days and smiles. Reinhold
Thank you, Reinhold. I’m so glad they spoke to you, much appreciated. Hope you had a great weekend!
Truly beautiful series, Jane!
I especially love “Layered,” and “Positive and Negative.”
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Lisa. Happy you liked those images in particular. They were fun to find and shoot.
Love the Ansel Adams quote and loved the tree in Reaching. It’s a very dramatic shot.
Thank you, Jane. That tree is in a favorite spot in Healdsburg. Pleased you enjoyed these quiet moments.
Beautiful and excellent details 🙂
Thanks, Joshi. It was a quiet foggy morning and I really got into it. Glad you like them.
Although most seem to favor Wood Line. I’m leaning toward Layers. Technically a difficult shot to get such depth in focus, I like the subtle textures and gradation of tones.
Yesterday I visited for the first time the Conservancy of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. I’m looking forward to seeing the images I took. I’d forgot my ring light, we’ll see.
Hi Tim, Thank you for noticing that shot. I am partial to the close-ups for their intricate beauty. (as much as I’m happy for Wood Line stealing the show 🙂 )
Looking forward to your Conservancy photos– that sounds like a fun day!
Great lines and patterns!
Thanks so much, YC. I think that they can be seen more easily in monochrome.
Love that last capture Jane – very appropriate for my current mood. They’re all beautiful of course
Thanks very much, T. Glad you enjoyed this series.
Such amazing details you have captured in these wonderful images, Jane!
Thanks, Pete. Coming from a nature lover, that means a lot. I think it’s amazing how different the eye sees things in black and white.
Your monochrome images are gorgeous Jane. The patterns and structure of the flora show up so well without the distraction of colour. And I remember that last photo – pure magic!
Thanks very much, Jude. That’s what I was hoping for… glad you enjoyed them. Wood Line is a special art installation in the Presidio.
Gorgeous photos. And I love the quote.
Thanks so much, Maralee. I had a great morning finding these scenes.
Lovely series of images, Jane, and that line through the woods is quite fascinating. Well spotted! 🙂 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Jo. Happy you enjoyed these moments. Wood Line is a wonderful art installation in the Presidio by Andy Goldsworthy. Hope you are having a great weekend, too! 🙂
Bitter cold so I’m watching a lot of Australian tennis, Jane. Keeping warm with Rafa. 🙂
A most beautiful post, Jane.
Thank you very much, Helen.
Great set! Love patterns, wood line and garden gate!
Thanks very much, Sue. Happy you enjoyed them. It was a quiet, foggy morning in SF – perfect for getting lost in these scenes.
Getting lost in those scenes…there’s a photographer talking!
😉
😊😊
I love that last photo, with the path and trees…so symbolic of going through life. Your processing as always is great…I presume you shoot in colour and then process into B&W?
Hi Paula, Thank you. Wood Line is a wonderful meditative work of art. I usually shoot in color and process with LR or Silver Efex Pro, however, with the Fuji X-T2, I’ve been shooting in Acros Film Simulation which is B&W in camera and mimics the famous Fuji film. Glad you like them.
Very nice, I particularly like the first image. Then I googled what Acros was. So, if you are using that setting, do you also get a color version?
Thank you, Amy. The film sim mimics film nicely. Yes, you can see a color version if you change the Camera Calibration in LR to color. Fun to try.
Interesting, and that is a cool feature. I really like the results you are getting with this camera. I’m just wondering if you are using any of your Nikon lenses with a converter with this body? and if so, how are you feeling about that?
Hi Amy, I am not…I shot with a Nikon 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 for years and love them. I haven’t considered a converter since I am all about the light weight on the Fuji. It’s a dream for carrying.
Thanks, I went to today and held one in a store. It is so light. I have a similar set up to you only in Canon. My 50D is starting to show its age a bit. I’m just not sure what I would do next if it was to quit on me.
I recommend the mirrorless systems. I kept my Nikon equipment but I find I’m using it less than I thought.
Thank you Jane, for answering my questions. I am thinking about my next camera move, and I really liked the feel of the fuji, and I have been impressed with the results I see others getting with it.
Very different in the hand than Nikon. My back sure appreciates it. 🙂
🙂
So few colorus, so much beauty 🙂
Thank you, Barbara. So true…. 😉Glad you enjoyed.
“Reaching” looks like something someone in my family has taken.
Re. Ansel: He can afford __silence__!?
Hi Varjak, I’m sure that’s possible! I do love the branches of trees in winter. Ansel’s work certainly doesn’t need words, does it? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
These are stunning!I love the layers on the plants with dewdrops and you really give new meaning to “leading lines!”
Thanks, Mary Lynn. I find nature’s lines and patterns to be endlessly fascinating. So glad you liked them and I hope you’ve had a great start to the new year.
I just want live in this monochrome world.. !!
This is awesome 🙂
Keep capturing
Hi Syamraj, I know what you mean! Pleased you enjoyed visiting my world for a bit– thank you so much.
So, it’s FujiFILM, but it’s NOT film?
Cosmic!
LOL
Thanks.
Haha! Yes, that is confusing. Good to hear from you! 🙂
Your photos are always awesome, but you’ve really outdone yourself here, Jane! x
Hi Eliza, Wow. Thank you so much. Coming from an expert gardener, that means a lot! I had such fun with these– plants and trees are so fascinating, as I know you’d agree.
I’m definitely a plant worshipper. 😉 Your eye for detail celebrates their beauty. They’re fabulous!
You sure are! I think monochrome leads your eye to details you may not notice when the colors steal the show. So pleased you like them! 🙂
These are all beautiful monochrome images Jane 🙂 I’m so glad you started to experiment with Acros. In my opinion Acros has the closest look to actual film. When the exposure and lighting is correct Acros is magical. Superb work.
Thank you, Joe! Your reaction means a lot. I can see a difference in the tones and it’s been great to see it in camera. So glad you like these – it was a full immersion morning. 🙂
Stunning!
Thanks so much, Roda. Appreciate you stopping by!
I just love black and white!
Me, too!
It’s great to see what B&W can do for colourful things like flowers and leaves, Jane. It is a perfect way of really looking at the shapes and strucures. Robert from Hamburg also makes these wonderful B&W nature close ups. I also like your editing. Did I understand well you use the Fuji filmsimulaton Across? It’s a nice setting indeed, but it still needs some tweaking, like you did in the beautiful woodline picture.
Hi Peter, Thanks so much. I agree, taking the color away helps the viewer focus on very different aspects of the image. That first flower is red! I set the film simulation on the Fuji to Acros and did some editing in LR but they were pretty good right from the camera. Pleased you like Wood Line and I really appreciate your thoughtful comment. Hope you’re having a good start to the year! (btw, I heard from Robert– have been following each other for quite some time.) 🙂
Jane I truly love your B&W images, especially ” Garden gate” and “Layered”. Not too often B&W pictures turn out that crisp and well balanced in their gray scale. You mastered it beautifully.
That means a lot, Cornelia. Thank you very much. I usually use Silver Efex Pro for conversions but have now gotten into these Fuji film sims shot in camera and the tonal quality is really nice. I simply processed them in LR. Pleased you thought the balance worked well. 🙂 With our rain and fog, I’ve been thinking in black and white.
Oh, I see, have to check out that Silver Efex Pro, thank you for sharing this, since I’m rarely satisfied with the conversion, I use LR as well. Yes indeed with the fog here I am feeling the same.
Lately LR has been doing most of the work for me but I love Silver Efex the most out of the collection. The Nik Suite was bought by Google and almost discontinued but I think it has been given another life. I believe you can still download it, and it’s free. (I paid for it years back…) I also love Viveza and Analog Efex Pro. The whole suite is great.
Thank you Jan for sharing your insights.
Your second and third images are wonderful, Jane. I love their graphic nature.
A quick question: Is the Woodline photo of the Andy Thornsbury installation in the Presidio?
Ω
Thanks, Allan. I’m so glad you like those in particular. Yes, that is in the Presidio and the artist is Andy Goldsworthy. (close!) I love going there. Hope you are enjoying the rain! 🙂
Thanks, Jane. One of my places-to-go-photograph is in the Presidio. I love the fog and mist in the trees. It’s been awhile, but I’ll get there.
Ω
wow, wonderful pictures in black & white jane.
greetings robert
Thank you, Robert. So nice coming from your practiced eye.
Breathtaking photos, but….
Film?
“Grampa what’s ‘FILM?’ “
🎼 Let’s do the TIME WARP agaaaaaain!
(Where do you even GET film anymore???)
Thanks.
Hi Dan, I would be doing the Time Warp shooting film. It’s a Fujifilm digital camera with a great feature that simulates the old school black and white film. So I can pretend to do the Time Warp….it’s just a step to the left…
Happy you enjoyed, DD. Thanks so much!
What lovely pictures- loved each one of them!
Thanks so much, MZ. I love the creative process of black and white. Appreciate your visit.
The ‘creative process of black and white’- I always felt it and you put it in words so simply and beautifully!