Category Archives: Black and White

Wonderfully rich black and white photography from around the world.

Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan

Posted on March 3rd, 2016 by

Turning Japanese

If it seems like I have Japan on the brain lately it’s because I DO! I am headed to Japan in a few months for the Cherry Blossom season! I have wanted to be in Japan during this time for a long time and only missed it by a few weeks in 2015. Hopefully this year I will get lucky since the time from bloom to fall is VERY short!

This is a collection of tools used by the caretakers of Meiji Jingu. I love how there is a mix of traditional brooms and modern tools as well.

Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan
Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan

Photo Technical Info

Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine

Posted on February 28th, 2016 by

Finding History

There is an old adage in Hollywood traditional ascribed to W.C. Fields, but universally known, “Never work with animals or children”. To those not acting however, they are like gold! What could be more adorable than two small children all dressed up in traditional garb to visit Meiji Jingu in Tokyo.

I am always looking for some elements of time or even timelessness, contrasts between the old and new. Does this work in that sense?

Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine
Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine

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Capitol Iron Work

Posted on February 15th, 2016 by

US Capitol Detail

There are so many wonderful works of art that function as every day objects. This handrail support on the back stairs of the U.S. Capitol Building is a great example. It just there to support people, but it has a stateliness, something that reminds me of an abstract eagle soaring above the swirls below. It shows us the ebb, the balance of moderate discourse. It’s just some old thing, that some designer thought long about. Some old thing that some craftsman poured sweat and life into. It spends its days in the elements largely unnoticed, but there some will see and be in awe of its functional beauty.

Capitol Iron Work
Capitol Iron Work

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The Library of Congress Skylight

Posted on February 8th, 2016 by

Color Troubles

I took this photo of the grandiose skylight at the U.S. Library of Congress years ago, but because of the difficult lighting conditions, its been in a folder on my computer called “Needs More Work”. Inside and outside color temperature ends up with a mess of tones, so as I was looking around this weekend I finally figured I should do what I almost always do in these situations and work in black and white! Amazing!

The Library of Congress Skylight
The Library of Congress Skylight

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 28 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/50s

Chinese Astrology Rabbit Statue in Kowloon, Hong Kong

Posted on January 21st, 2016 by

What is Your Sign?

I can’t say I fully understand the intricacies of Chinese Astrology. I think I know two things:

  1. It seems to have little in common with Western Astrology.
  2. I am the Rabbit.

When I visited Kowloon’s Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple the place was packed…I walked in shoulder to shoulder with other tourists and worshipers. There wasn’t a clear shot of much so I focused on close-up work. You know…creativity is an attribute of both the Rabbit AND Pisces!

Chinese Astrology Rabbit Statue in Kowloon, Hong Kong
Chinese Astrology Rabbit Statue in Kowloon, Hong Kong

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Neat Rows of Buddhist Monk Slippers, Kyoto, Japan

Posted on December 3rd, 2015 by

Taking Off Your Shoes in Japan

The Japanese are a trusting lot! Before entering a Buddhist temple, you remove your shoes. Sometimes you carry them around in a little plastic bag, but generally you just leave them on a shoe rack by the entrance. The same is often expected if you are carrying an umbrella…best to not track water all over a temple or store. Of course, my shoes (not that anyone would want my traveling shoes) and my umbrella were always exactly where I left them. Not only are the Japanese trusting, they are also trustworthy!

I just loved these neat rows of slippers the monks wear. They were lined up outside what is functioning currently as the primary temple at Chion-in.

Neat Rows of Buddhist Monk Slippers, Kyoto, Japan
Neat Rows of Buddhist Monk Slippers, Kyoto, Japan

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/3.2
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 13 November, 2015
  • Focal length: 31mm
  • ISO: 2000
  • Location: 35° 0.3708′ 0″ N 135° 46.99′ 0″ E
  • Shutter speed: 1/400s
  • Title: Neat Rows of Buddhist Monk Slippers, Kyoto, Japan

Fall at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, Japan

Posted on November 30th, 2015 by

Finding Fall Color

Hitting fall color in Japan to me seems a bit like hitting the cherry blossoms. You can shoot for the perfect time, but nature sometimes has other ideas. Technically I was a bit early for the “perfect” fall color time, but the maples were just starting to turn! This is Kiyomizu-dera, a buddhist temple with a FANTASTIC view of downtown Kyoto. I actually came back on my last night in Kyoto, but realized when I arrived I didn’t have the entrance fee (I left my wallet back at the hotel). I had followed a big searchlight in the sky that brought me right back to this lovely spot.

Fall at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, Japan
Fall at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, Japan

Photo Technical Info

Yuyuan Garden Walkway Design Detail

Posted on November 12th, 2015 by

What’s Underfoot

You cant miss this river stone walkway. The moment you step foot on it, you notice the irregularity…its more natural feel. You notice the uneven-ness of nature, but you also know it is anything but natural. This fits perfectly with the way I feel about Chinese gardens in general. It always seems to me the Chinese are looking for some harmony and connection with nature (in their gardens), but it’s always seems a more “perfected” nature, taking the good, discarding the bad…molding to find a perfect form. This is neither good nor bad, and only my interpretation which is course is always changed itself.

Yuyuan Garden Walkway Design Detail
Yuyuan Garden Walkway Design Detail

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Shelves of a Tea Seller in Shanghai

Posted on November 5th, 2015 by

For the Love of Tea

It is no secret that my wife LOVES tea. So much is her passion, that when I said I would fly here anywhere in the world she wanted to go for her 40th birthday, the answer came without delay. China. I was so happy to take her to her first (I am sure of many) visits to Hangzhou and Shanghai, China, but more specifically Tianshan…Tea City. Tianshan is in Western Shanghai. An endless maze of wholesale tea vendors and shops where your tea dreams can come true. Below is just one shelf of random teas, but the supply was as endless as the offers of more samples. Come prepared to be completely overwhelmed.

Shelves of a Tea Seller in Shanghai
Shelves of a Tea Seller in Shanghai

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Peruvian Dancer in Cusco

Posted on November 2nd, 2015 by

Virgen de Altagracia

Travel is a box of chocolates (in the Gump sense). Peru was a series of unexpected sights, locations, sounds, tastes and festivals. Upon arriving in Cusco, we walked to the Plaza San Francisco and were met with a Parade celebrating the Virgen de Altagracia. I am not Peruvian, nor Catholic, but the Virgen is apparently not huge IN Peru, but in Argentina and specifically the Dominican Republic, so I think we witnessed a bit of a small and interesting celebration! This particular dancer frequented my shots, she had a wonderful dress, I was particularly fond of the way the tassels whipped by as she danced round and round!

Peruvian Dancer in Cusco
Peruvian Dancer in Cusco

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