The Theory and Practice of Photography

Alys’s father was a man of many hobbies, one of which was photography. I feel honored to have been gifted with his dictionary of photography. As an additional gift, Alys made note cards with the pages from her father’s photography course.

Many of you know Alys, from Gardening Nirvana. She is creative, talented, hardworking, generous, passionate … and my friend.

What a blessing she is! Thank you, Alys!

I was not able to find a publishing date inside the dictionary, but in doing a bit of research, it seems that the book must have been written in the 1940s. Anyone out there know for sure?

You Lookin’ At Me?

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

I was the passenger on a 4 wheeler, cold beer in one hand, camera in the other. This gal stopped and stared as we rode on by.

What Edna Said

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—

It gives a lovely light!

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Thanks to the lovely Julia at Defeat Despair for introducing me to the poem First Fig

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

So Close

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

When I took this photo while on my bike trip to Delaware in 2013, I didn’t pay attention to the date. When I shared this image on Life in Black & White, another photographer noted that James was so close to surviving the war. He’d almost made it.

That made this image even more poignant for me.

Fenwick Mines

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

Between 1892 and 1923, the Low Moor Iron Company hauled iron ore, taken from nearby mines to area furnaces, by railroad. Hundreds of people lived at the site and worked the nearby mines. Offering a wheelchair accessible trail that winds through woods and across wetlands, Fenwick Mines is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon … especially when arriving by motorcycle!

Waiting on the Wind

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

To see a similar image in color, visit Nestled in the Blue Ridge

Smoke Break

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

The guitar player’s face was so expressive and I had fun taking photos of him. But it was the curl of smoke from his cigarette that stole the show for me.

Pauline

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

It’s all about the story …

As we left our Old Town Alexandria restaurant that night, Pauline pointed across the street and said “Look Laurie! That would make a great picture; like film noir” (that’s not an exact quote, by the way).

And she was right! All that was missing was a guy or gal, leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette.

Well, a tripod was missing, too, but thanks to Pauline for being the inspiration behind this shot.