Spring in Black and White

This amateur snapshot-ist has just joined a photographic club, and it’s been a smart move. Although the group has got its share of real talent, members are just as welcoming to those of us who bumble about in the shallow end. There are talks from well-travelled and accomplished photographers: but in between, there are workshops. Last week, a member shared his enthusiasm and lots of tips for monochrome photography, and left me with the resolve to keep my camera strictly on black and white for at least a week or two.

So now I’ve got a bit of a job: This week’s Lens-Artists Challenge is all about Spring. Spring – that season when colour returns after the sombre tones of winter, with bright yellow daffodils, celandines and marsh marigolds; the soft pink of blossoms; vivid grassy greens from leaves that push through the ground or from the swelling buds on twiggy branches, and newly-blue skies. And I’ve gone and made monochrome my rule-of-the-day.

It didn’t help that Sunday was a bit cold, rather grey, somewhat windy and really not very spring like. But rules are rules, even if they’re totally self-imposed. Here we go …

Out of the back door, guarded by spring-time pots, along the lane, edged with tree-blossom, still-wintry trees, and passing a bank of white violets .

The sheep know it’s too early to lamb here. They’re still relying on winter feed.

I wander through the grounds of Old Sleningford Hall, and then along the river bank. There’s twisted hazel thinking of bursting its buds, young wild garlic.

Nearly home. How does this ancient tree, almost completely hollow, continue to live, to sprout new growth?

Back in the garden. The hellebores are – apart from the daffodils – making the best showing. We’ll end our walk by enjoying those.

As well as Sophia’s Lens-Artists Challenge, I’ll pop this post in for Bren’s Mid-week Monochrome. And Jo’s Monday Walk. Why not?

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

52 thoughts on “Spring in Black and White”

  1. Shall you be black and white in France? It does seem a shame but I can imagine the colour in those daffs and hellebores. And the sheep are still sheep. Well done for joining up. I’m always intimidated by photography clubs and such. Typing slowly and annoyingly with a sprained wrist. Wish I was a leftie. thanks, Margaret!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. This is the first non-intimidating photo club I’ve tried Jo. They’re just keen to help rookies like me. Poor you with your wrist – get well soon. I think it’ll be back to glorious technicolor for France and Spain, though. Monochrome can wait till I get home to grey skies!

      Like

      3. I don’t mind cooking but it will never be a passion. Food isn’t so important to me. I like the ambience of eating out. Not precious about ingredients and husband just likes to be full 🤣💕

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I admire your discipline. I couldn’t bear to use monochrome for spring. For me it’s all about the colour. However, you have some excellent shots here. The sheep, the tree and the twisty branches as well as the patterns of the hellebores. As for white violets and blossom you are way ahead of us. Though I haven’t seen white violets before. They’re very much violet here. The nearest photography club to me only runs over the winter months in the evening and I hate driving at night, otherwise I might be tempted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was hard, Jude, but it was useful learning experience. White violets rule here – much commoner than – er – violet ones. I’m not keen. It’s just … wrong. A winter-only club? That seems … unusual.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Like Jude, admiring your discipline! For me , the daffodils, all your tree images (including the twisty branches), the sheep….Well done,and look forward to your monochrome when we speak!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for that. I’m not entirely satisfied, but I’m on a learning road, finding out what works in B/W ( not spring flowers, evidently!), and what doesn’t.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. As you know, I think it’s great that you’re giving B&W photography a go! I wouldn’t choose it for many of these images but I think you’re right to embrace it fully for a few weeks. You’ll then have a cluster of shots to look through and assess which ones work for you. To me the still-bare trees and the sheep work better than the flowers. I do sometimes like flowers in B&W but imho they need to be close-up or macro shots with plenty of contrast. However, I repeat, I can see the advantage of your all or nothing approach to start with although as you know my personal preference is always to shoot in colour first and experiment later with B&W (even when I’m already pretty sure that monochrome is the best or only option!) and I’d recommend you trying that approach too, in due course.

    Hope you don’t mind my honesty? 😘

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Absolutely not. I appreciate your constructive criticism, and the time you gave to your thoughts. My resolve is weakening, as we’re off to Europe on Friday. And while I can afford to take less-than-satisfactory photos locally, we’re hoping to visit new-to-us places in France on the way down to Spain. So the plan may be suspended, pronto!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, it would be a shame to miss good photos because of this. And there’s nothing to stop you taking SOME B&W shots while away. You could see it as good practice in identifying which would be best in B&W and which in colour. Or do as I do and play around with B&W edits on your return?

        Liked by 1 person

  10. It’s wonderful that you joined a club. I am sure you’re going to enjoy experimenting with different techniques. Your gallery is terrific. . My favorites are the sheep, branches in silhouette and that lovely stone building.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Well Margaret, you set yourself quite a challenge! Now if it were winter……😊. However kudos for sticking with your plan. I loved the bare tree and can visualize all of the colors of your blossoms. And of course your sheep need no color at all ! Also, good for you for joining the photography club. I’ve learned so much from our club here, it’s a great way to form lasting friendships and to find creative ways to take and use photographs. I look forward to seeing your efforts as new ideas and techniques take hold of your imagination!!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. It’s wonderful that you found a welcoming club. Clubs should be like that, happy to help and inspire each other. With friendly support and appreciation for different ideas and outlooks. Your B&W are great. Your sheep shot is outstanding because of the fine composition and the full range of tones. In color we have millions of shades, in black and white just 256 of the (fewer actually on many displays), so it is important to make good use of them. Your lone tree, another well composed photo, shows that. B&W is about forms and shapes and textures, and importantly light. Your flower photos show the magnificent textures that often are overpowered by color.

    Keep it up!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I really appreciate your encouragement, Ludwig. And yes, I shall keep it up. The trick is, I think, identifying those subjects which respond well to monochrome. I can only find out by experimenting.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Joining a photographic club sounds like a great idea. I would love to, if/when I get a bit more time. I’ve also considered joining photo courses, where you travel to Africa etc with a professional photographer and learn tips and tricks for wild life photography. Spring photos in black/white sounds like a challenge, but you did very well.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. A photographic course – great! I would love to join one, but they are some miles away, and I am not interested in going away late evenings. You really did well in these, even if it must have been difficult dealing with spring as the subject. I absolutely love the sheep and the trees though! It will be interesting to follow your choices. And I wish you happy travels!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. All excellent, and I particularly love the sheep! I always feel that black and white in photography or film has much more atmosphere than colour. I think when a picture is full of vibrant colour, it’s easy to just see that and not look any deeper. Whereas with black and white there are no distractions and so the eye has to look more closely at the detail. If that makes any sense!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. I think you have here a rather bold post about spring. Considering most people mentioned the colours, including myself, going for b&w takes guts. I think there’s a lot to be happy about your photos. Obviously, some worked better than others, but that is part of the learning process. The trees are awesome and I think some of the flowers worked too.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Contrabanding… | Still Restlessjo
  22. Pingback: Mid- Week Monochrome #125 – BRASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: