Most of the color in the landscape at this time of year is provided by either the blue sky or the colors that people are wearing while they’re out in the snow. Sometimes, there’s some color from the evergreens, or there are some red or green shutters on the side of a dark brown house, but the scenery in this Austrian winter has turned to dominantly black and white now that the snow has arrived. Rather than looking for color, I’ve decided to go with what nature’s giving me.
[Slideshow not working for you? Click this link.]
Fun fact. I’m old AND I went to art school, which means I once shot, developed and printed my own black and white photos. I really liked the medium and I loved the darkroom, though I can’t say I miss losing hours under the red lights and coming out with that dull chemical induced headache. I’m happy to post process at my computer with a cup of coffee — it’s much healthier, though I do miss the magic of seeing the image appear in those flat trays full of weird science.
While I was in college, I was lucky to befriend an old architectural photographer; he let me use his home darkroom, which was much more lovingly maintained than the little closets on campus, and he taught a lot about focus. I probably favor sharp depth of field because of what he taught me. I still have a lot to learn about taking pictures, but with so much gorgeous landscape and such low cost to screwing up, it’s fun to get out there and just shoot.
This is awesome- and slide #6, holy crap, what a great shot! Is that sunlight that looks like it’s just pouring down between two of the trailers?? I only recently found your blog and am loving following your adventures. (And I’m old, too.) Thanks!
Thanks, Sarah! That light on the trailers is crazy, no, that’s why I stopped to take the shot. And I thought it looked like maybe aliens were landing, because, hey, trailers + aliens + small town = all kindsa hijinks.
No doubt, aliens. Now I like it even better.
Hi Pam,
Love your black & white photos. B/W is more expressive in some ways than color. I also spent time in the darkroom developing and printing black & white photos. Oh, so long ago!
I love Ansel Adams’ pictures and am the owner of one of his prints.
Rosemary
You’ve got an Ansel Adams? Whoa.
I’m in my mid 20’s and also spent time in a darkroom thanks to college, and I was and still am completely mesmerized by the whole process. Standing in that red haze, squinting and agitating the trays, and then getting to watch the magic happen as the image slowly and then quickly comes into being… it’s totally unlike anything else.
I too am a fan of the “digital darkroom”, but I’d also give just about anything to take some film into the darkroom again.
There is nothing like it.
Yeah, I don’t miss the darkroom so much as I miss that gradual magic while the images appears on the paper. You don’t get that kind of revelation with a laptop.
Its amazing how the simple adjustment from color to B&W can change a landscape.
Great shots!