Exploring black and white.
The internet can definitely be a big world and bring some less than desirable vibes to our lives, but I have found way more good in it, than I have bad. I have met and connected, like truly connected, with people across the world that I would never have had the opportunity to, without this technology. I have actually made enough of a connection, via common interests in this beautiful obsession of art and photography that consumes my world, to call them friends. One of those friends introduced me to the 52 Frames challenge. This is a photography challenge where you are given an “assignment” each week of what your focus should be. You must shoot the photo within the week of the challenge, and then post it by Sunday to receive critique, (or not, it’s your choice). We are all able to share with thousands of other pretty incredible artists to see what their unique vision was! When I learned of the challenge I decided I want to commit. After the true challenge I felt in the first week, I wanted to immediately quit lol, but I realized that what this is doing, is exactly what I need to keep growing. It’s helping me stretch my ideas and try to stand out in a world where there is a TON of talent. I made the decision that I would keep going forward. The other commitment I made to myself in this challenge was, I will shoot all my entries with film (Polaroid included in that). This is my own personal challenge, and by no means a requirement.
This last week’s challenge was called “Extreme Contrast”. I immediately knew that this was my opportunity to load up black and white film, and learn how to see in black and white better. I can shoot a photo in black and white, yes, but learn how to make the image extremely contrasty, and not do that in post processing, in 1 week? That was the exciting party to me! I LOVE black and white photography, to look at. That being said, I prefer to shoot color! This was was my chance to work with some sort of structure!
I have a back stock of old expired black and white films in my freezer, that my beautiful mom passed onto me. She and my dad spent quite a bit of time as I was growing up, shooting, developing and printing in our home darkroom. I remember the basement bathroom all set up with the enlarger, trays, chemicals and black out over the tiny window and doors. I pulled out a roll of Forte Pan 400, and was hoping for the best. I also loaded up a roll of an expired Japanese film called Fukkatsu, into my adorable little Pentax Auto 110. Lastly, my trusty Polaroid SX70 was also loaded with a pack of 600 film with the ND filter installed. I was ready for my week!
I like to shoot at least a frame a day, starting Monday, as it gets me off to a good start and not procrastinating and then ending up at the end of the week feeling rushed and unsatisfied with what I I produced. Below are a couple of the first frames I saw, as I was driving one morning before work, when I saw some of the things I knew I needed to look for in my scene to get the contrast I was seeking!
After I took these shots, I felt invigorated and optimistic, like I had my head on right, as far as things to remember when shooting to get the results I was seeking.
The next evening, my daughters were both home (an unusual event at this stage of life), along with one of Farron’s best friends from college. Thankfully Madeline hasn’t been subjected to my camera over her whole life so she was down for sitting for me while I worked on my challenge in doors!
I shot with both the SLR and with my Polaroid. I learned something new about the Polaroid that night, and the 2nd image out of the 3 I took, I confidently knew would be my submission for the week (see first image to follow below). That being said, I would NOT allow myself to make that decision until today, Sunday, after I have seen what else I was able to produce with the other cameras.
I continued to shoot through the week and excitedly developed the rolls on Friday night, forcing myself to wait until Saturday morning to scan and see what I made. I can’t express how torturous this felt… ;-).
I will share some remaining favorites from the Pentax an Olympus below!
This challenge pushed me to learn something new, and I mean book learn as well as practical learning. I had to read techniques and look at images to analyze, and be highly intentional about what I raised my camera to. I typically prefer a less contrasty look in general, color or black and white. Its a softer feel, a more calming visual, but this challenge helped open my eyes to a new look, that in certain situations I find very pleasing!
Thank you for popping in this week! If you have any fun tips or suggestions for those of us who are not as experienced in shooting black and white images, I welcome a comment or DM to chat!!
Until next time…I hope your weekend wraps up beautifully!!
<3