Through the Bars

Man at café terrasse framed through metal bars with bridge visible behind, Montjean-sur-Loire

The terrasse railings do the framing work here — a classic street technique where an environmental element becomes a natural border. The 24–70mm at a moderate focal length maintains enough depth of field to keep both bars and subject in focus, while the bridge in the background adds a sense of place. Monochrome removes the colour noise of a busy café setting and focuses attention squarely on the figure and his relationship to the scene.

From the article Montjean-sur-Loire — The Wrong Road, the Right Place on IJM Photography. Canon EOS 6D Mark II | 24–70mm.

Strung Across the Loire

Black And White Photography, Ian, Photography

Montjean-sur-Loire suspension bridge over Loire river with dramatic cloud sky, Canon 6D Mark II 16-35mm CPL filter

A circular polariser was essential here — it deepens the sky and gives the clouds their weight without needing any filtration in post. Shot wide on the 16–35mm to capture both the full bridge span and the sky above, the geometry of the cables provides the leading lines. In monochrome the tonal drama the CPL creates is at its most powerful: the dark sky, bright clouds, and mid-tone bridge structure stack cleanly without competing.

From the article Montjean-sur-Loire — The Wrong Road, the Right Place on IJM Photography. Canon EOS 6D Mark II | 16–35mm | CPL filter.

Arc Against Sky

Black And White Photography, Ian, Photography

Rusted curved iron bracket on stone quay wall against pale sky, Montjean-sur-Loire

Minimal compositions live or die by their negative space, and a pale Loire sky makes the perfect foil for this rusted bracket. The 70–300mm compresses the background to nothing and lets the curve of the iron command the frame. In black and white, the oxidised surface — which would read as orange in colour — becomes a rich mid-tone with visible texture. Slight underexposure keeps the sky subdued so the metal stays the clear subject.

From the article Montjean-sur-Loire — The Wrong Road, the Right Place on IJM Photography. Canon EOS 6D Mark II | 70–300mm.

Tethered in Stone

Black And White Photography, Ian, Photography

Iron mooring ring set in granite quayside stone with shadow, Montjean-sur-Loire

The mooring ring is the whole story here. Shooting tight with the 70–300mm isolates the iron against the granite, and the shadow becomes a second subject — almost a ghost of the ring itself. Monochrome strips the rust colour away and leaves only the relationship between texture, form, and light. Metering off the stone ensures the shadow retains full detail without blowing the highlights on the iron.

From the article Montjean-sur-Loire — The Wrong Road, the Right Place on IJM Photography. Canon EOS 6D Mark II | 70–300mm.