A couple more from the ghost town of Bodie mentioned in my last post. These two in particular I think are good examples of how you can come away with totally different moods/interpretations of essentially the same subject, depending on your own point of view and techniques used. The B&W shot is not quite so dark and decayed in feeling when seen in color, but if you want to emphasize that view, then monochrome seems the way to go. In the color shot, the fresh green grass and the blooming flowers become the subject, creating a whole different attitude where nature can be seen as always moving forward and renewing itself even while the manmade structures slowly return to the earth.I need to get back to this location and spend at least a whole proper day working (this stop was too brief)... the still-life, detail and landscape possibilities are endless. I'm afraid though with all of California's budget cutting, if they start to close some state parks, this might be one of the first to go, since there was already some talk of closing it for preservation purposes.
Of course, there will always be those who look only at technique, who ask "how," while others of a more curious nature will ask "why." Personally, I have always preferred inspiration to information.
- Man Ray
14 comments:
The second one is soft, almost pastel - and living. The first one is still, and dead. Obvious, one would say... but then it simply illustrates your point. I don't know if I would have dared to cut out the roof in the second one. I will have to think about it a bit more.
Both have their merits, but I can't help it, I often prefer black and white for no logical reason.
Roger Gauthier
I do like the B&W better, it lends more to the old structure. Although the colors are beautiful in the second capture I loose the feeling of old.
Gorgeous shots...
One seems to be the point of view of the building, like an old person aware of their age. The other is from the point of view of nature reclaiming its own. Love the contrast - excellent way to approach the subject!
Of course, this kind of thing is up my alley anyway! :-)
Although I do love color and the softness of the second picture, I think I like the Black and White more. It just seems more historic, or rather history standing still.
of course, the one with the sunshine in it...it is the one that is real, afterall! :)
the color photo looks surreal to me... almost like a painting! Your attention does become drawn to the grass and flowers in the foreground. Pretty flowers! {:-D
Love them both. They both have unique but equal charm.
I am glad you prefer inspiration. Because that is exactly what you do Mark, you inspire!!
Happy week,
Jackie:-)
I agree with Dr. Lauren. The black and white has character and tells a story. An epic poem can be written about that photo.
Fabulous photo's Mark. I tend to look on the bright side as a person and the second one appeals to me on tha level. However, artisticly, I love the brooding quality of the first one. I am also quite snesitive to atmosphere, so think having seen the picture below, it seems quite fitting somehow..lovely work :)
I like both in equal measure both excellent in there own right. As you say the B&W gives a real sense of age. The colour, I love the iris in the foreground not to mention the colour of the shack :)
"Ghost Tree" word is really amazing..and realated to everyone's life
I could never choose between the two shots, because they look so totally different and both are fabulous.
Mark, i like these old ghost town subjects and wish i could get out there somedat soon.
I rather like the unsual crop of cutting out the top of the barn. For me, this works well in bringing us the treat of the flowers in the green filed. The various shades of green accented by the wonderful lighting and simple flowers set off by the rustic wood barn sides in the bg. Wondeful and clever, I do not or wish not see more. I have it all here to my liking.
Wow. What a great contrast. Today I like the color but catch me on another day and I probably would be loving the b &w.
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