Darkness to Light


“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

~Desmond Tutu

pier-santa-monica-1
Pier, Santa Monica

Oak and Vineyard, Sonoma

Winter Wave, San Francisco

Park Shadows

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” 

~Plato

Cove, Mendocino

Row 20, Napa

Woodline and Eucalyptus, San Francisco

Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.

~William Wordsworth

Rushing Water, Yosemite

Lighthouse, Mendocino

Categories: Black and White, Landscapes, PhotographyTags: , , , ,

136 comments

  1. Lovely post. I was there around the late 1980’s. A picturesque place to be sure. ☀️

    Like

  2. Incredible black and white images. What texture they hold!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. the path of black and white is highlighted by the grey area. I love these… thanks for sharing your passion:)

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Gorgeous texture and light in these images, Jane. Your work is inspiring. And I’m so happy to see you like lighthouses, too! I also love that Plato quote.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Another beautiful post Jane. For some reason “the row” shot really caught my eye.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Wow, I can’t stop looking at those pics.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Fantastic shots Jane. Merci. We sure could use some hope on November 3rd. So many men (and not a few women) are afraid of the light…

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Jane, your black and white photography is exquisite. I liked these so much.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. It’s beautiful. Black provides a haunting charm and white bring them forth to life… These images are as such alive…

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Great series Jane…love how the white tips of the waves draw your eyes into the Winter Wave shot and the spooky Park Shadows foggy shot is my other favorite. Perfect for b/w. Well done 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  11. We are definitely living in monochrome times.Your Desmond Tutu quotation couldn’t be more perfect as we are all looking for hope in the darkness. Your images always give us that hope 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Love the Mendocino Cove shot, and ‘being afraid of the light’…. 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  13. This is a tranquil study of light and darkness, Jane, with your exquisite photos and the accompanying quotes. I liked the lines of the Santa Monica Pier and the various vineyards, beautiful and moody photos. My favorite photo is the Winter Wave. It’s a unique angle of SF that we never see. Lovely post.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Thank you for the inspiring quotes, dear Jane. Your images are so beautiful. I’ve always enjoyed my visits to California and they brought back some lovely memories.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. One word will suffice on this stunning collection, Jane: YOWZA!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. The quotes touched me so much…

    Liked by 1 person

  17. The pictures may be black and white but evoke a whole spectrum of emotions. Beautiful 💗

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
    Come and Enjoy these photos!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. I just love that PARK SHADOW pic , it is so mesmerising.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Loved the play of light and dark. On first look it appears to be sad with no hope of positivity (changes), while looking at it for a while long,you see a ray of light (hope to overcome challenges)
    Loved it as always…..👌👌🥰🥰🥰

    Liked by 3 people

  21. Another amazing series, Jane. There is something about well taken B&W photographs that seem to touch me more, a bit more drama within the shadows perhaps. My first thought, as I have a feeling with many others, is hopefully your title becomes reality come November 3rd… 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  22. This is awesome. Do check out my website for amazing photos

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Jane, you set quite a mood here. As the news takes into dark places, maybe going with that darkness can be healing. I think so, when I look at these images. The winter wave with the skyline is gorgeous and such an interesting juxtaposition. The image has the feeling of being out on the water and subject to its will, with the sheltering city far away. And oh, the park shadows are captivating. I feel like I’ve seen something exactly like that and I’m back there again, in some other time and place. I like ‘Row 20’ a lot. It’s a reminder of all the work that goes into winemaking. ‘Woodline and Eucalyptus’ is beautiful – what is a woodline? Why does it look that way? Such a lovely rhythm! The lighthouse is the picture of sturdiness and comfort, even while being alone. A great collection, Jane.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Lynn, Thank you for your positive response. It’s funny how I remember making each image. Woodline is a sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy who creates pieces out of reclaimed elements that will eventually go back to the earth. This one is in the Presidio and is a great place to escape. I’m happy you enjoyed this collection. Keep on looking for the light. 🙂

      Like

  24. “…when men are afraid of the light” – hmm, roll on November 3rd…
    Lovely images, and here’s to feeling lighter in a month or so. No easy fixes ahead, but we needn’t make it worse.
    Take care.

    Liked by 2 people

  25. Here’s the poem that includes Wordsworth’s exhortation to turn to nature:
    https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45557/the-tables-turned

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I know I’ve mentioned this before … but I LOVE your Black and White series and I had to come back another day to check it out again. The pier and the light shining through the trees is a good one. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Wow, beautiful monochromes Jane.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Stunning imagery, Jane! I love the b&w, and how all the shapes are so defined. Very nice work!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Lovely photos, Jane, good to see such excellent black and white. My out and out favourite is Park Shadows, and there is Woodline too. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  30. What an amazing round of photos – it’s hard to even pick a favorite!

    Liked by 1 person

  31. What an intriguing post. Beautifully done, Jane. Love the Plato quote.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Your “Woodline and Eucalyptus” reminds me of San Francisco’s Lombard Street.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Beautiful B&W, Jane, especially the Winter Wave and Park Shadows. Nature’s B&W is a very gray day. If it comes with dense fog or a snowy conditions, so much the better. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  34. This is an excellent album, but that “Park Shadows” is absolutely amazing, what a very cool otherworldly feel! I might hesitate to go down that path, looks like you might find yourself in Narnia or Middle-earth!

    Liked by 2 people

  35. The rushing water is different. love those photos and lines.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Nice series, Jane. Sweet to contemplate this morning as I take my tea. My favorite is ‘Woodline and Eucalyptus’ – so playful to the eye!

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Beautiful work Jane, especially the opener and your closing image – loved the B&W. Hope you had/are having a wonderful getaway!

    Liked by 2 people

  38. always beautiful pictures, and wonderful use of light especially today!

    Liked by 1 person

  39. What a treat to view all these gorgeous images when I woke up this morning! Your choice of showing these images in black and white are brilliantly effective. Love them all, thanks for sharing, Jane!

    Liked by 2 people

  40. Each of these drew me in and caused me to dwell. Thanks! (Off to share and bring the light to others)

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Those quotes…how true they …uttered by truly great people…Your photos, ohhhh your photos; as wonderful, thoughtful and apt as ever.

    Liked by 1 person

  42. Beautiful pictures Jane! 🙌
    I especially liked the still black and white picture of the wave.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Great blak & white pictures, my favo is n° 2 Greetings, Rudi

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Great set; great content! Running Water for me please!

    Liked by 1 person

  45. Very good; you’re starting to get the hang of it 🤪 I’m a fan of black and white. By the way, I just noticed that they’re also selling colour screen tv’s now so I may just get one 😁

    Liked by 1 person

  46. Beautiful as always, your use of light and shadow in the pictures make the light look like silver.

    Liked by 2 people

  47. Thanks Jane, for showing us the light… these seem to be times when we’re needing the reminder. I’m convinced we’ll make it through it all in the end. It’ll be time before we know it to roll up the sleeves and work to restore what has been lost. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

  48. Beautiful black and white selection Jane…such strong compositions…and all the textures and lines…always appreciate seeing your work ~ sending joy Hedy ☺️💫🌞

    Liked by 2 people

  49. Beautiful display of the contrast between dark and light in your monochrome photos! Well done, Jane!

    Liked by 1 person

  50. Another beautiful collection, with words we all need to hear. This collection had me thinking I need to slow down and get present more when photographing. That’s the sense I get from them – that you’re really present with the location and the process. Lovely.
    Alison

    Liked by 2 people

    • Alison, You’ve made my day. If my images convey an immersion in the moment, which is what I am feeling, then I’ve accomplished something. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and I’m very happy you enjoyed this series. Hope you are doing well. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  51. Gorgeous images and reflective quotations… Cheers! -autumn jade

    Liked by 1 person

  52. Jane, your Black and White images are so significantly beautiful. When you photograph , do you shot in B&W, or do you transfer the raw images into B&W. just being curious.

    Liked by 2 people

  53. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mesmerizing! Very religious! I would say very Jewish, in my point of view. Thanks so much, Jane!

    Liked by 1 person

  54. I like the Tutu quote! ATmospheric monochrome shots, Jane!

    Liked by 1 person

  55. Beautiful light in your black and white photos, Jane. My favorite is Cove Mendocino. I love how the sunlight hits the hillside.

    Liked by 3 people

  56. Park Shadows, is a beautiful and hauntingly succulent image… Bravo!

    Liked by 2 people

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