My family comes from Fontanarosa, a small town about 1 hour east of Naples, Italy. They settled first in New York, but now those of us who remain reside in the south-west United States. I first picked up a camera to document my passion for nature, the land, and the effects of the weather on my surroundings. My father was a film editor who worked mostly on television commercials in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, and had a black and white darkroom in our garage that he built himself. I assume that’s where my interest began.
To document my travels, I use a digital camera, but I feel the lack of texture decreases the effect I am going for, so I play in Lightroom. I began experimenting with black and white images just lately and find they are much more dramatic, I think. So this opportunity to express myself comes at an opportune time.
I have no argument with people who want to reproduce exactly what the camera sees, without manipulation of any kind. But with every choice you make; the type of lens, the use of filters, the aperture, or the setting of the camera, aren’t you manipulating the image? Therefore, I feel justified in reproducing an image with whatever is at my disposal, so that the viewer can see what I want them to see.
Thank you. I hope you will enjoy and follow our new photo blog. I will be posting on Tuesdays and more of my images can be seen at –
Monochromia 
Can’t even explain why I love this piece. Just love it.
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There doesn’t have to be reason! I’m just glad you like it!
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Congratulations Emilio on the new blog and on your photo. As a black and white enthusiast I look forward to following all of you. Best wishes…Andrew 🙂
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Thanks, Andrew. Send comments, too. Good and bad. I’m always willing to take advice!!
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Fantastic image! Very captivating and the beams of light you have managed to caputure really makes this photo for me. Amazing work. All the best Mark
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Thanks, Mark. Coming from you I consider that high praise. The beams of light were a happy accident because I was shooting into the sun!
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I am already a follower of you Emilio, Joe and Patti. I know none of you will disapoint.
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thanks for the intro.
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Your welcome. Hope you return!
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you bet! and many thanks for dropping by and the likes 🙂
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Reblogged this on LE MEHOGRAPH and commented:
If you like black and white pictures, the new site « Monochromia » should be one you love. There will be some exclusivity from many contributors from WordPress.com planet.
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This sure is a thought provoking image, Emilio.
I had to chuckle at the Crash and Burn comments … never entered my mind about that title and a new blog! Perfect!!!
Excellent first Monochromia post!
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Yes, I was definitely tempted to change my first post to this week’s post. But then I figure why not? Live dangerously! Glad you liked it. Judging from the response, Monochromia was a darn good idea of Joe’s. Let’s hope we can sustain interest!
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I absolutely love all the monochromes so far they’re stunning 🙂
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Nice to hear. Thank you!
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Very good idea/concept! Looking forward to following!
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Thank you Mike 🙂
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Thanks, Mike. I looked through a few posts on your blog and you’ve got some great stuff there!
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Amazing photo. All good stuff, Emilio.
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Thanks, Mike!
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Wonderful introduction!
Wonderful story!
I will follow the blog! B&W photography is one of my favourite! 😀
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Great. Thanks. I’ll go check out your work.
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Powerful image Emilio. Best of luck and happy to know more about you.
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Thanks, Sue.I’m glad you were able to stop by! Where are you this week? And where to next? I’m going to your blog now for hints!
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Emilio we are exploring our own back yard this summer primarily. I do have flashbacks from previous trips I share just to keep everyone guessing 🙂 We have a big cycling trip to Italy in September. I’ll see what else I can dream up.
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Where in Italy? Take lots of photos!
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Photos of course! Fly to Rome, then Pompei, Amalfi coast then cycling tour of Tuscany then Comogli and finish with four days in Nice. Currently training like a madwoman….for the cycling not the wine drinking. 🙂
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No, we know you need not train to drink wine!
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🙂
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So great 🙂
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Thank you Leila 🙂
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Looks like Joe has beat me to it but my thanks to you, also.
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What a fabulous introduction Emilio, those beams of light really do dazzle in the monochrome!
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Thanks, Patti. Those beams of light were all natural. I was shooting into the sun!
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Love the concept!
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Thank you kindly!
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Great photo. I love the timeless quality of black and white. I used to work in the dark room a lot, and it wasn’t just a matter of reproducing what the camera sees but I also did a lot of editing – especially post production. Anybody can take a photo but what you do with the editing makes it uniquely yours. I am looking forward to seeing more images on this blog. 😀
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Thanks, Raewyn. You make a good point. Anyone can take a photo but the editing makes it your own. It should be interesting to see if observers are able to tell the difference among us seven. Of course, I am watermarking my images so it might be easier to tell my shots! 🙂
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Super photo, Emilio. The B&W gives an entirely different feel than it would have in color, much more dramatic. Well done.
janet
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Thanks, Janet. The color shot is a metal plane against a beige background so, yes, the color image is not very impressive. But now that I see it, I would have liked to maybe go a bit darker. More dramatic, maybe!
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Emilio – I love your work and you NEVER disappoint … in fact I’ve learned an appreciation for B&W from your blog.
Congratulations on the new blog. I hope it’s not ironic that you chose “Crash and Burn” for the first post of this new project. I think it will soar!
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Funny, I was thinking of that title, too. I gave Joe every opportunity to ask me to change it. But I guess he is going to leave everyone to their own devices- even though this is his baby! Monochromia! Anyway, thank you for your praise. You’ve given me a lot of confidence with all your previous- and current- comments!
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Think of it as a good luck charm 🙂
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I do, I do!
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A wonderful introduction to the new blog Emilio! The photo is just awesome! 🙂
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Thanks, Elina. And yours is tomorrow? I can’t wait to see everyone’s work!
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I know, so exciting to see everyone’s posts. 🙂 By the way how cool it is that both you and Joe have roots in Italy.
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Great image and I have followed.
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Thanks Victor, you might be the first!
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After many years I am trying Black and White. So i can learn from your new blog.
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One of my favorite tutorials on black and white, and one of my favorite “tutors”- I’ve watched all his free videos- is a French photographer named Serge Ramelli. If you have an interest, give a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qoBkeQBeDM#action=share
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Reblogged this on The Visual Chronicle and commented:
I hope you will follow our new black and white only blog !
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Great shot Emilio! Congratulations and best wishes on your new project! 🙂
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Thank you! Be sure to come back!
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Really great shot and introduction Emilio 🙂
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Thanks, Joe. I appreciate you thinking of me when you decided to put this together!
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My pleasure Emilio 🙂 BTW I love the amount of comments you are getting I hope you are a good typist, LOL. I couldn’t ask for a better post and you deserve all the positive comments you are getting, way to go.
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Thanks, Joe. I’ve taken a peek at what you have in store for us and you continue to blow me away!
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Thank you my friend 🙂
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Nice shot Emilio!
Can’t wait to see new photos every day. Glad this is up now. 🙂
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Thanks JT. I’m sure Joe is glad too! I might have been a bit annoying with my excitement ever since being first invited to contribute!
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A powerful and dramatic image Emilio! I do believe that it might not have had the same impact in colour. Good luck with the new venture.
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Thanks, Madhu! You are correct that it does not have the same impact in color. A metal gray object against a beige mound of dirt? I will probably play around with it a bit more in private!
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Congratulations Emilio and Co. Hope the project prospers 🙂
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Thank you! I am not at all superstitious but perhaps I should have chosen a different title! 🙂
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Congratulations to Emilio and Joe, and I am quite sure that the rest of the team will deserve it too. This first shot is quite good.
I wish you all (and all of us 😉 ) nice publishing.
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Thanks for the compliment and good wishes! So, you’ll be back? 😉
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Reblogged this on Nevada State Personnel Watch.
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Thank you very much 🙂
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