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Black and white, or monochrome photography is, of course, the oldest form of photographic image making and some feel that it is "old hat". Nothing could be further from the truth. Ask any really seriously artistic photographers their opinion and 99 out of 100 will admit to a soft spot for monochrome photographs. I say monochrome because it encompasses all the variants like sepia, selenium, gold or any of the single colour toners available as well as the "traditional" grey scale. Monochrome image production, no matter how you go about it, seems to allow a freedom of expression for the artist who likes to work with form, lighting, shape and particularly mood without the sometimes distracting colours that make up "the real world". Some purists would even go so far as to say that "Black & white is the only true form of photography". However you choose to represent the world around you, you owe it to yourself to at least try one roll of black & white film and beg, borrow or steal some time in a darkroom to see for yourself the magic that is image creation in monochrome. Please
browse though these photographs at your leisure and email
me with any comments or just plain chatter as you prefer. My main aim
in producing these pages is to establish contact with like-minded folk
from all around the world 
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The
classic textures to be found around old buildings and historic sites
always make for interesting subject matter. The use of a grainy film
here accentuates the age and fine texture. The chain just manages to
break the symmetry.
Nikon F3/MD4, f2.8 55mm Micro-Nikkor, Ilford Delta 400, tripod. |
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For
surfaces with real texture, try a poke around in a very old cemetary
with your macro gear fitted. It will ably demonstrate the power of nature
in reclaiming it's own. Here, far away from the acid airs of the city
is the result of almost 90 years of weathering. For best results, use
your tripod. If you don't have a cable release on hand, use your camera's
self-timer.
Nikon F3/MD4, f2.8 55mm Micro-Nikkor, Ilford Delta 400, tripod. |
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In
the out-of-the-way little towns lying along old pioneer trails, the
graves of once splendid graves are often neglected and in need of care.
The collapsing chaos of this family plot is highlighted by the poignant
plaque stating simply "Mother". Sort of sad in a way.
Nikon F3/MD4, f2.8 55mm Micro-Nikkor, Ilford Delta 400, tripod. |
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After
the grave.....
These living statues were performing at a local market as buskers and provide many opportunities for the student of portraiture to expand their repertoire. Move in close and watch the background at these often congested venues. Nikon F3/MD4, 105mm Nikkor, Ilford Delta 400 |
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One
rainy day in 1968, I noticed these boys making the most of the age-old
sport of fishing. The time spent there watching them netted me a few
choice photo's, one of which you see here.
Praktica Nova SLR, 135mm lens, Tri-X @400 ASA (Yes, it was ASA then!) |
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Early
in the mornings is almost always a great time of day to go hunting the
elusive winner. At the local Eumundi Markets, I spotted two stallholders
chatting before trading started. I like the mood the backlighting gives.
You can almost feel the cold. Conveying intangible elements like temperature
will make the difference in your photo's. Possibly the cooler hue of
selenium toner would suit it better than the sepia shown here.
1953 Contax IIa rangefinder (Lovely camera), 50mm Zeiss Sonnar f1.5 lens, 1/50sec @ f8, Kodak Tmax 100 |
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Landscapes
are a classic subject for any form of photography and wide angle lenses
add a dash of space and perspective for that "something different"
element in your picture. Don't forget to add a yellow, orange or red
filter to the lens if you want more tone in the sky.
Nikon FM2, 24mm lens w/yellow filter, exposure unrecorded, film Kodak Tmax 100 |
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Another
oldie from the archives. Hireboats at The Entrance on the NSW Central
Coast, circa 1968. Another valuable use for your creative masterpieces
- All this is concrete now! History in the recording. I love looking
at old photo's of mundane geographical subjects, so now I record the
scenes of today for tomorrow. It WILL change!
Praktica Nova SLR, 135mm lens, Tri-X @400 ASA |
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From
the same area and time as the image above, these old boats resting on
Tuggerah Lake drew me to them. I like the simplicity. The relative sizes
of the two craft lend an almost maternal air to the photograph.
Mamiya C33, FP4 @125 ASA |
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Leaning
against the side of an old shed at The Settler's Rest, an Australiana
museum, was this wonderful sight. The sheer character of the old discarded
items found on old properties around the bush is enough to get the photographic
enthusiast going full steam ahead.
Contax IIa rangefinder, 50mm Zeiss Sonnar f1.5 lens, 1/100 sec @ f8, Kodak Tmax 100 |
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Amidst
the frantic bustle of a Saturday morning in a major shopping plaza,
this tiny pool of quiet concentration appealed to me. Even has a seat
left for you. The use of a wide angle lens involves the viewer in the
scene.
Nikkormat FT2, 24mm lens, 1/125sec @ f5.6, Tmax 100 |
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Railway
enthusiast groups around the world are reviving the magnificent steam
trains for use as tourist attractions. This is a very good chance to
get some great photographs. This fellow is lubricating the C17 loco
which runs regularly near my home. I am not really sure who is the star
here, the engineer or the locomotive?
Nikon F3HP/MD4, 55mm Micro-Nikkor, Ilford Delta 400, Ilford Warmtone paper untoned. |
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Onboard
the steam train, this young fellow is captivated by the passing vista
as the train rolls and rattles it's way along the tracks. The contrast
of the interior and the windows makes for some real problems which can
be compensated for in the darkroom. Here I have chosen to allow almost
all of the exterior image to remain burned out in order to accentuate
the warmth of the inside of the old wooden carriage.
Nikon F3HP/MD4, 55mm Micro-Nikkor, Ilford Delta 400, Ilford Warmtone paper, sepia toner. |
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This old dairy farm in an area of Queensland known as Cedar Pocket made a really nice colour photograph, but that certain something was missing. I needed an interesting cow there or something. So, I switched to Mono and worked the sky until I had something satisfying. SONY F828. 8 megapixel raw, 1/100 @ f8. Photoshop CS2 |
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A fine chilly, winter's morning found this little woolly fellow resting outside his shed to make a very pleasant rural scene. Watch and always be ready for the moments like these which pop up just around each corner. |
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Sometimes
colour doesn't suit the subject. This is the school my Mother attended
as a child. Do the cheery, bright colours suit it or do you think the
sepia image is more appropriate for a century old building?
Kodak 35mm Compact camera, Kodak Gold 100 film, Sepia colorised in Paintshop Pro 6.0 |
 
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