The Reluctant Urban Explorer

When I posted my first guest post here at Monochromia I said that I did a little UrbEx. Let me explain.

It all started with me seeing some shots from a local abandoned psychiatric hospital. They were taken by a mate, also a photographer who lives almost as a neighbour to the building. He invited me along on a shoot and it scared the hell out of me. That is why I don’t do this kind of thing too often. My disposition is on the nervous side. When I do this kind of shoot I just have to concentrate so hard that it’s mentally exhausting. If I stop to think where I am, I’d run, and run fast. It’s a horror film waiting to happen. However after a few days I just want to do it again. It’s a strange kind of drug, if that’s not too strong a word for it. At least I got a few good shots before It all got a bit too much for me 🙂

Camera:- Leica MP

Lens: – Nikkor 20mm f2.8 manual focus lens on a Novoflex LeiNik adaptor.

Film: – Ilford Xp2 at ISO 400 exposure about a quarter of a second.

Just Drivin’ By … in Black & White

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

Each time I drive up the dirt road to visit my friend Cherie, I look at this barn. I can’t tell you how often I’ve taken a shot and just how often it didn’t work. This time, though, the light was right. Check out the color version on Life on the Bike and Other Fab Things and let me know what you think.

Sunny in London?

Black And White Photography, Photography

Black and white image of London taxi in foreground, London double-decker bus in background, entering a roundabout.

Nikon D90, 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, extended to 58mm, 1/800 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 200

A beautiful day in London makes for empty black cabs and double-deckers.

Visit visualventuring.com for more images from my camera.

Autumn Tree

Black And White Photography, Joerg, Photography

This picture was again by pure chance and it was shot again in the Bird´s mountains. I was there with my dogs, when we stepped out the forest and this is what we saw. I didn’t think the dogs would mind me stopping to capture this image.

More of my images can be seen at – The Things As They Are In Pictures

Double Exposure

Black And White Photography, Photography

Double Exposure

Double Exposure II

I saw a photography challenge on Facebook last week and set out to attempt it. The challenge was to shoot double exposures. I hope I am not boring you by posting flowers yet again…but, alas, my sunflowers are in full bloom and I chose them as my “challenge” subject matter. So, tell me what you think, and tell me what you see!

Rule Of Thirds – Joe’s Style

Black And White Photography, Joseph, Photography

Fujifilm X-T1 and Fujinon XF 55-200 OIS R lens – 1/15 @ f/4.8 – 200mm – ISO 320

OR we could play Tic-Tac-Toe !

Take that Emilio or should I say touché 🙂

More of my images can be seen at – The Visual Chronicle

Street Style

Black And White Photography, Elina, Photography

I like how the bike completes her look.

Amargosa Opera House

Black And White Photography, Emilio, Photography

Just on the outskirts of Death Valley is the Amargosa Opera House, still in use today after being renovated and revamped in 1968 by Marta Becket, who has performed there since. Read her amazing story here and here.

Though we have eaten at The Amargosa Diner, and visited the adjacent motel, we never have stayed for a performance.

Photos By Emilio