Airport Cloudscape

I captured this dramatic cloudscape while visiting my commercial pilot brother-in-law, he had just dropped off a passenger at my local airport.

Cheers,

C. S.

Tracing Light

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

The light in this stairwell at the Moses H. Cone mansion on the Blue Ridge Parkway made me think about “ray tracing”. Its a computer animation rendering algorithm that simulates the path particles of light take from the source angle as they bounce off various surfaces. I’m also reminded of Bob Heist’s lesson in Basic Photography at Randolph Community College back in the early 80s – “the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence”.

Different Perspective

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

During my 2021 fall foliage expedition in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, I followed a trail down under this bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s interesting to see the architectural features of the bridge integrated into the surrounding rocky mountainous landscape.

Northern View of Grandfather Mountain in October

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

This northerly view of Grandfather Mountain is from the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Linn Cove Viaduct, captured in mid October 2021. Click on the image for the best viewing experience.

C. S.

Impermanence

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

While I love the weathered textures, rust and other features of decay, photographing an abandoned old house can bring mixed feelings. There are melancholy thoughts of needless decline. Why was this home neglected and forgotten? But there is also an appreciation of the effort and sacrifice spent in building the home. Lives were lived here, perhaps a family’s, it was their home.

There is peace found in the acceptance of impermanence as part of the cycle of life. There is after all, beauty in decay.

Reclamation

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

The overgrown vegetation and patina on metal are both evidence of Mother Nature’s slow but persistent reclamation of the natural and man-made world. Our sense of order is often at odds with Hers. Will we regain our lost ability to live harmoniously before it’s too late?

Fall Monochrome Landscape

Photography

Farm on Bryan Davis Rd, Ashe County Composition 1

Many agree fall foliage is also ideal for monochrome. The ability to adjust the luminosity across the color range can offer up interesting foliage tonality. When I first got out my car on this Ashe County, NC backroad, all the cows were in the shed. As a curious bunch, it took very little coaxing to get them to pose for this landscape composition.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I’m most grateful for this WordPress and Monochromia blog community!

Cheers,

C. S.

Abandoned Barn on Rock Foundation

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

Old Barn in George Gap Composition 2 Monochrome

This unique old barn was found on the back roads of Watauga County near Sweetwater, North Carolina. The stone foundation supports one side of the barn’s placement on the edge of a hill. The vine consuming the façade appeared to have died, leaving a thick, craggily branching structure attached to the barn. To appreciate the cool textures, click on the image to view a high resolution version.

Cheers,

C. S.

Antiquity

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

I found this old piano on the porch of an abandoned house on Silas Creek Rd while exploring the backroads of Ashe County. I try to imagine the music, peace, joy and family experiences once shared from this instrument. Who played, what did they play, and why was this piano and house abandoned?

Cheers,

C. S.

Hawksbill Mountain, pt2

Black And White Photography, C.S. Young Jr., Photography

Late afternoon view from the top of Hawksbill Mountain looking south along the east side of Linville Gorge towards Table Rock and Shortoff Mountains. For the best viewing experience, click to see a high resolution version.

Cheers,

C. S.