loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

Hello, I've been asked to introduce myself. I teach Literature and Writing at a small midwestern university, and sometimes I teach a course called Writing and Photography, which is my favorite.

I've entitled this "I like black & white" because my love for monochrome seems to be growing every day. Sometimes I like to compose in terms of tone, contrast, and form rather than depend on color. Many people feel that you can't get the same quality of black & white with digital, and that film is the only way to go. This is similar to the vinyl vs CD argument, and there may be some truth to it. But I feel the trade off is on the side of digital because it's so much more enjoyable for me to work with digital software (especially NIK's Silver Efex Pro 2) than to grope around in the darkroom. That said, I don't disparage the darkroom and have spent many joyful hours there.

Black & white infrared is one of my favorite mono thrills. I get attached to my old equipment, so I converted my Nikon D80 to infrared, which has brought me much bliss. Recently I converted my Canon S-95, a delightful little camera, to infrared. (It should be arriving any day.) Previously, I had to carry either my D80 or D300 with me, but not both because, together, they are so bulky. Now I can carry the S-95 in my pocket while shooting with the D300 and always have an infrared camera handy. I'm including a photo I took in front of the Ottumwa, IA, courthouse. Just as I turned around from shooting something else, I spotted a bride about to board an extraordinary wedding limousine — a Hummer! Without having time to adjust the zoom, aperture, or focus on my D80, I just snapped the photo. The bride is out of focus, but I still love that picture.

Cheers, Jim

Attached file:
(Download)

72young Loc: Williston Park, NY

Hi Jim, and welcome to the UHH.

Why don't you post some B&W photos. I'd love to see them.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Sorry I couldn't get your pic to download on my computer, but I am sure it is an interesting picture. Welcome and I look forward to seeing other photos I am sure you will share with us later on. I find that I too like black and white photos, but as an amateur photographer I haven't had much practice with it yet. It it one of my goals to work towards.

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Welcome to the group Jim,
(Ottumwa, IA...birthplace of Tom Arnold and Walter "Radar" O'Reilly :wink: )

TomballLegend Loc: Tomball, Texas

Not far from Mt. Pleasant, home of Iowa Wesleyan, where I learned to drink Busch Beer, many years ago, across the river In IL.

Emmett Loc: Onalaska, Texas

Welcome to the forum, Jim. I've been to Ottumwa many, many, many, times. Would like to see your image of the court house.

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

Jim, ya need to convert your TIF to JPG to upload to the Hog.

loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. As some of you might have guessed, I'm in southeastern Iowa (but not Ottumwa). I'll convert the image to jpeg and try again. Also, I'll include some b&w pix when I get a chance.

Wishing everyone a great new year!

Jim

Emmett Loc: Onalaska, Texas

What part of Southeast Iowa?

loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

I'm in Fairfield, IA. Here is a jpeg of the bride about to be swept away in the Hummer. I did crop out part of the Ottumwa library so that the bride would be more evident. By the way, she's in front of the library, not the courthouse as I first stated. (Similar architecture.)

Jim

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Hello Jim, I read with interest your post. I teach a B&W photography class and I make no distinction between digital and film. Yes they are different processes but in todays world digital B&W can be truly beautiful and you cant tell the difference between a digital print and a silver B&W print. I specialize in silver printing. I own a custom pro lab in Los Angeles and I also offer digital printing services. I teach both film and digital B&W and digital and film IR. I never argue about digital vs film, there is no argument as far as I am concerned. Both types of image making are superb and and compliments the other. I am also a photographer and my clients prefer digital capture because if the immediate viewing and delivery ability. I love all aspects of B&W photography, I do it all with no regrets and I love it.

loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

Thanks for the nice post. It would be fun to teach an infrared class. You can do it in a big city like LA, where there must be plenty of people with IR cameras, but it's not possible in a small town.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Ir photography can be done anywhere. You do not need an IR converted camera , there is a filter that you can use to shoot digital IR with any digital camera. The only thing is that you have to know how to process your images in photoshop. Here is an IR image I shot last week with the IR filter only. I use a Nikon D700 camera but any digital camera will work. There are many tutorials on Youtube showing how to do this, its not a secret. A good IR filter is expensive but its a one time purchase. I use a Hoya R72 and its a great filter.

loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

Lovely photo. It looks like something out of Hansel and Gretel. I've read there are focusing problems with using a filter because you can't actually see the object through the dark filter. Is this correct?

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

Here is his photo for anybody that couldnt see it ...

Love the trees ... welcome to the forum :)