Here Comes the Bride

Spotted at a busy intersection. The ladies seemed to be following a photographer who was walking half a block ahead. I couldn't see any particularly interesting destinations for a photo shoot, though, so maybe they were making a last minute getaway.

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White.

Black and White: Bauble

Happy Holidays, everyone!  May your season be bright - and colorful!


Published for The Weekend in Black and White.

Black and White: Diner

Fast food seems like a real treat when served under a fabulous, shiny tin ceiling. All I had with me was my new little Sony Cybershot, which I had accidentally set to some funky effect or other that produced neon-bright colors. But once I converted to black and white, I thought the shots turned out kinda neat.





Posted for The Weekend in Black and White and for Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Black and White: Encrypted

This artwork fascinates me. It's a cylindrical tower, about ten feet high, with no plaque announcing its title or naming its artist. It sits in the cobblestone courtyard of what was once a brewery, back in the 1800s. The brewery was converted to shops and studios years ago, but is almost completely abandoned now and is in rough shape. Below is a shot of the top half of the sculpture, taken from the elevated parking lot next door.

What do you make of it?




Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

Little Chair on the Prairie

There's a garden center not too far from us that uses lots of old furniture outdoors as props for the plants. I loved this old chair, and I longed to rescue it from the elements.

(*P.S. - Here's the color version:)



Posted for The Weekend in Black and White and for Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Black and White: Beach Wheelchair

Spotted in a public shelter at Hamlin Lake beach, Michigan.



Posted for The Weekend in Black and White and linking to Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Black and White: Prophecy

I've been at a loss lately for things to photograph. Everything seems so ... dull. Boring. Predictable.

Time was, I'd roam the house and yard, happily clicking away at everything from the water meter to houseplants, sneaking up on the cat, stalking the bird feeder, annoying everyone at various events. I can't seem to get into it anymore. I look at yet another photo that's just like a million others, sigh, and hit delete. (OK, I lied. I keep them all. My hard drive is about to explode.)

I've decided to take fewer pictures in general, and to explore dramatic lighting, effects, and macro more. Maybe that'll help.

So what do YOU do when you get like this?

P.S. - This is the point of a bubble-glass globe for an overhead light, set on its side on my faux 'gator iPad cover, with morning light blazing in through the open end. I figured somebody might ask.

Linking to:
-The Weekend in Black and White
-Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Black and White: For Tomorrow

When we're done admiring these acorns - which are huge, by the way, over an inch long - I'll plant them in pots to be tucked into our woods in a few years.  The deer make short work of acorns and seedling trees, so the oaks need a little help to stand their ground. (The spiky pods are from velvetleaf, a big, bad weed. They will definitely not be getting any assistance.)

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

Walking on Water

Taken in Ludington State Park, Michigan. There are quite a few beautiful wooden walkways through the wet areas, and even some footbridges out to the islands. I liked the way this one led down and away to the left.

Posted for Friday Fences, and also for The Weekend in Black and White.

Black and White: Remember Me

There must be some magic in this old tree. It's the only one travelers have chosen to bear witness to their passing in this place.

Somewhere beside a river in the south, if it still stands, is a tree bearing the scars of my own initials and those of a boy I once knew. I wonder, sometimes, what became of them both, that boy and that tree.

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

Shabby Chic

Taken in the beer tasting room of The Round Barn Winery in Baroda, Michigan. I was amused by the contrast of this grand chandelier against the rough-hewn beams above. In black and white, it almost has a Halloween feel, don't you think?




Posted for The Weekend in Black and White and for Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Black and White: Timbers

It was a fine day in early autumn. I was walking with family at the East Race in South Bend where bikers sped by, birds wheeled in the sky, and a guy in a kayak fought the frothing current. So where was I? Under a footbridge, photographing rust, weeds, and rotting wood.

That's not too weird ... Right?

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

After Dark

From a recent family event. Once the guests had gone, the tent took on a life of its own, glowing mysteriously in the darkened field. Which version do you like better?

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White and for Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Shady Ladies

There was standing room only under the branches of a lone tree in an Ohio pasture. It was growing conveniently close to a fence, so I was able to snap a few shots of these curious cows.









Posted for Shadow Shot Sunday 2 and for The Weekend in Black and White.

Black and White: Sunflower

I think I like the spiky buds of sunflowers better than the actual blossoms.

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

52 Photos 13: Layers / Stacks

Given the number of layers and stacks of stuff occupying my closets and corners, this week's assignment was almost too easy. However, scouting for a subject embarrassed me into cleaning up the piles instead.

Plan B: A quick dash into the Indiana heat, armed with garden shears, to raid the day lily bed. We don't usually see many of these three-layered ones, because the deer find them tasty. So. Layers, plus a chance to play with my new light box. In the air conditioning.

As for stacks, here's one taken at a factory that makes cabinet doors. These are going to be "rails" - the pieces that hold the center panel of a door:




Posted for the 52 Photos Project. And the top one may very well be linked to the next Weekend in Black and White, unless something better presents itself by then.

Black and White: Enigma

I spotted this from my upstairs home office window, and it seemed like a perfect excuse to put off doing paperwork.

It's the shadow cast by the sun shining through the chimney and side of our fire pit out on the deck. The effect lasted only a few minutes.

It looks mysterious and alien, don't you think?

Linking to The Weekend in Black and White and Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Black and White: Spotted

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

Black and White: Covaleski Fountain

Taken earlier tonight after a game in South Bend's baseball stadium. I loved the light and the laughter. (It's one of those innocent-looking ones embedded in a plaza, starting up suddenly and soaking the unwary.)


Posted for Shadow Shot Sunday 2 and for The Weekend in Black and White.

Black and White: Roots

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White