18 February 2013
Lens:

1. Reflections through Window Panes, iPhone 4s, January 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013

3. Tropical Palm Tree, Longwood Gardens, iPhone 4s, February 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013
Let me know which you prefer and why.
Pens:
“Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.” Robert Frank (b. 1924)
During the first week of this month Gracie (http://graciebinoya.com), Polly (http://watchingthephotoreels.com) and I began an iPhoneography Monday Challenge. If you’d like to join the fun, please click here for details. This week’s theme is black-and-white photography, giving us a chance to strut our monochromatic images.
I am a true devotee to black-and-white photography. In reality a certain set of conditions need to be present to render these photographs worthy, and give the originals new meaning. Since color photography did not proliferate the mainstream market until the late 1950s and 1960s, the monochrome had a long run as a way to stop time.
Still, for success there has to be contrast through darks and lights. Illuminations–subtle or blatant–become key to a monochrome’s ability to stand the visual test. Dominate parts must stir the mind’s palette so that the sum of the parts clearly differentiate: giving range, shape, substance, texture, and tone to the subject or subjects.
American Landscape photographer Ansel Addams was a master of the black-and-white. His scenes documented the landscape of twentieth-century West, and majestically used brilliantly monochromatic descriptors. Scale vs. details were made clear by his attention to lighting, depth of field, shadows, and shapes.
In the Lens section are my entries for this week’s iPhoneography Challenge. Each uses the monochromatic feature slightly differently. The first displays a glass surface that brings layers of contrast and reflection through the white framing of the window’s panes. The second shows the slick surface of the street where the sun cast its rays upon the frozen water with black mortar as a foil for the ice. The last is the vaulted ceiling at Longwood Gardens where the day’s light bursts through and defines the tropical palm tree.
While early photographers edited their monochromes in the darkroom, we can use our iPhones, computers and tablets to convert color to grayscale. Or use an app that immediately takes the image to black and white. Either method can produce some memorable images that pierce our reactions in ways that are somewhat opposite to our multi-colored universe.
iPhoneography Tip of the Week: As bedtime nears I have a relatively new ritual–that is, a by-product of my iPhone 4s purchase this past June. My discovery of Flipboard, was a bonus of huge proportions. For those of you who do not know this app, let me explain.
When you learn about its benefits and features, I believe that you will be pumped to get this FREE online social magazine. It’s brilliantly conceived and executed for the iPhone and iPad.
While Flipboard is a news and tech source, its Fotopedia is where I spend my time. When I open the app, there is always a cover story to read. But I use my thumb to skip right to the iPhoneography and Photos sections.
Then and there I am privy to all the photos uploaded for the day and the last few days. It’s easy to become familiar with contributors. But it’s the quality of their images that keep me returning.
Every image has something to teach me about iPhoneography: what can be as I explore my own creativity with this photographic innovation. For a brief tutorial, click here.
Here is a sample of an iPhoneographers who regularly posts on Flipboard: John Mallon. See more of this mobile artist’s work here. Scroll through his art and be amazed at variations on the theme: iPhoneography.
Check these other entries in today’s challenge:
http://graciebinoya.com/2013/02/18/iphoneography-monday-black-and-white
http://ayearinmyshoes.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/iphonography-monday-black-and-white
http://savvydesign.wordpress.com
http://watchingthephotoreels.com
http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/iphonography-monday-black-and-white
Note: As alway I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. Other posts on my blog about black-and-white photography can be viewed here and here.
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Happy iPhoneography Monday.
Once again the subjects comes alive through your lens. Love then all but the ice was one is an exciting, thrilling piece. Have a great weekend my friend.
I’m humbled. Hope that your weekend is filled with your loving family.
GREAT STUFF – THANK YOU!!
Marialla, thanks, and I’m enjoying your work as well.
Lovely images. I prefer the mirrored reflections in the first one.
Have a great day!
Love
Dina
Thanks, I enjoy taking reflections for their layers of meaning.
A new follower…enjoying your art!
Thank you, delighted to have you visit and subscribe.
Too hard to say which I prefer today. They are all lovely.
Thanks, I really enjoy the subtleties and power of monochrome, which has never lost its popularity.
It is great that you’ve started the iPhonography challenges. Here is my starter to join in http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/iphonography-monday-black-and-white/
I saw your lovely entry, and I’ve put your link on my post. WELCOME.
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Beautiful black and white photos! My favorite is the palm tree one because of the way it’s been cropped and framed; looks like design! I’ve actually used flip board on my iPad before but totally forgot about it (cause my kids use my iPad more than me lol). I’m going to have to use it on my iPhone. Inspiration galore! Thank you for sharing and wonderful post 🙂
Thanks, Flipboard is stacked with talented iPhoneographers.
I love the ice picture as it reminds me of a rough seascape.
Thanks, we have not had much ice or snow, and I wanted to capture some of its wintery ways.
I really like the reflections. Here’s mine for this week. http://ayearinmyshoes.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/iphonography-monday-black-and-white/
Thanks, black-and-white images are truly a challenge. See you soon.
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These are awesome, Sally. I really like the forms and patterns on these shots. Very nice!
Thanks, I do enjoy exploring the possibilities of monochrome.