1/350 @ f/8.0
My name is Joe and photography has been a passion of mine for a very long time. I have never worked as a professional photographer so it has always been a hobby for me. I was first bitten by the photography bug when I was about five years old. My dad would let me play with his old Kodak “Hawk Eye” camera and I was fascinated with it. Half the time it had no film in it but even when it did most of the pictures I took proudly displayed my thumb front and center.
My family is from Brooklyn New York and like most middle class families of the 1940’s and 50’s migrated further east on Long Island for a more rural lifestyle. I was born and raised in Suffolk County so I am a native Long Islander through and through (and yes I even talk funny just like all Long Islanders).
In my earlier years proper exposure, film choice, developer type and water temperature would determine the outcome of my negatives. After my negatives were processed it was off to the darkroom to choose a paper grade and work on some test prints. It took considerable time and effort and a lot of dodging and burning to produce rich black and white images. I remember dedicating entire weekends to this process. Digital has changed this process and thankfully for the better. Gone are the days of dedicating a portion of your basement to a darkroom and filling it with a bulky equipment. Goodbye to those smelly trays of chemicals and constantly checking for light leaks like a paranoid vampire. Now the same can be accomplished with Adobe Lightroom and a quality inkjet photo printer. Don’t get me wrong I have no issues with anyone who wishes to process film and prints, I give them a lot of credit. Do I miss the good old days ? Hell no, for an old timer like me who is used to doing things the old fashioned way, I welcome the change.
Black and White images always have been my preference because I feel I have more of myself invested in the photo. I have more of an emotional bond with the image when it’s complete. I also think most viewers draw stronger emotions from Black and White images.
Rather than bore you with what I think, let’s hear what you think. Any comments would be welcome.
I hope you will enjoy and follow our new photoblog. Although I am posting today due to unforeseen circumstances I normally will post on Sundays and more of my images can be seen at – The Visual Chronicle
Monochromia 
Contrast, tone is off the charts! By that I mean, very well done and I love the setting. Best Mark
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Thank you very much Mark 🙂
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Great shot and great introduction Joe. Always nice to learn a little more about the photographer. I like the contrast, composition, and post production done to this photo.
When reading about your introduction about how you don’t mind giving up the dark room for Photoshop, I couldn’t help to think about how an eReader has changed my life in the same way. I am as much a reader as I am a photographer and I had a large collection of books. I never got around to it but was planning on creating a library room where I could have all my books and a quiet place to read but once the Kindle came out there went the need for all the books. At first I was a little disappointed but then realized it was for the better as I didn’t need to carry around a large book, or two in some cases when I was about to finish one, and save a room for something else that might be better. So to photography, reading, and other things, I thank technology for making our lives a little easier so we may have more time to enjoy things, such as more exploring and more photos. 🙂
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Sometimes technology can be a great thing as you so clearly explain with your eReader. The Kindle was a great idea as well as a convenience as so can carry your entire library with you wherever you go. I am a big fan of certain types of technology such as the digital photography process, eReaders, computers and I am living proof that “old dogs can learn new tricks”.
I am not so much of a fan of voice mail systems that companies use to run you around in circles like a pet hamster.
Thank you again Justin and have a great day 🙂
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Lovely image, Joe. And I enjoy hearing a little of your story. Thanks for pointing me to this site, Pat 😉
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Thank you very much Pat 🙂
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Beautiful image, Mama Joe. I say mama because you gave birth to this baby and I (one of your surrogate fathers?) am mighty proud. I like that nothing is overdone in this image. It looks like it’s straight from the camera. You are a true master, Mama. Congrats!
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Thank you Grasshopper, oh hell you’re to young to remember that show, thanks Emilio 🙂
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Love it! 🙂
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Love the tones!
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Thank you very much Mitch 🙂 Have a great weekend.
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Great introduction. I started with the darkroom but don’t miss it now. It was expensive, time consuming and as you said smelly. What is great about digital photography the changes are instant and you can compare images a lot easier on a computer. Love this photo. 😀
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Thank you very much Raewyn 🙂 I also love the instant gratification aspect also 🙂 Have a great weekend.
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There’s really lovely harmony and peace in this scene you’ve captured! Wonderfully done Joe, great framing and b&w work! And what a great old milking barn that is! 🙂
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Thank you very much Elina 🙂 Sometimes we get lucky 🙂 Have a great weekend.
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I forgot to say your introduction is great, and I like what you say about black and white images and having greater emotional bond with them than with color photos. I can totally relate to that. 🙂
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Thank you Elina 🙂
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Wow Joe, I love the silver light through this shot, such a wonderfully framed scene!
So envious of your darkroom experience, somehow I missed out on this treat although I’m sure I have many old photos with the thumb print – didn’t miss out on that one!
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Haha I have a whole shoe box with photos of thumbs Patti 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words Patti but In my opinion if you missed out on developing your own photos and prints, you lucked out, LOL. I had a darkroom that was vented with a fan to outside air and the smell of acetic acid used in the “stop bath” was sickening. As a matter of fact now that I think of it the “Fixer” stunk too. The only thing that didn’t smell was the developer.
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Thanks for pinch hitting for us, Joe!! I agree with Fran … the shadows are incredible!
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Thank you very much Laurie 🙂 Hope you got everything cooked just right last night for your holiday bash this weekend 🙂 I wish I lived closer I would crash the party, LOL. Have a spectacular weekend.
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Very nice black and white, Joe, I like the contrast and the composition!
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Thank you very much Robyn 🙂 Have a wonderful holiday weekend 🙂
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This would make a gorgeous large format print, Joe.
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Thank you very much 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
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Complete introduction. I agree with you, although sometimes I miss working with masks and choosing paper grade…
About the picture, really great greyscale (good work with the shadows).
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Thank you very much Fran 🙂 I think when I was younger I didn’t mind the amount of time the darkroom process took but I love the instant gratification of the digital format in my old age 🙂 Having said that there still is something special about magically watching an image appear in the developing tray in the dim red light. Have a wonderful day.
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