Guest Post – Ashleigh Pienaar

Black And White Photography, Photography

Continuing with Monochromia’s tradition of introducing talented photographers I give you Ashleigh Pienaar. Its hard to believe she is still a high school student judging by her images. I hope you enjoy her work.

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My name is Ashleigh. I’m a South African high school student and amateur photographer.

Growing up in Johannesburg South Africa, my family has been traveling to Game Reserves since before I was born. These trips were what originally got me interested in photography. I’ve been taking photos since the age of six, when I received my first camera, and more professionally since 2012.

Being surrounded by animals growing up, it seems only natural that I love photographing them. I likewise enjoy macro photography, studio, and still life – most genres, really. I’m always open to new photographic challenges and ways to further improve at my passion.

Though I think both colour and black and white images have their place, I find monochrome photos better fit my style of photography; that is, high contrast, minimalist and light-oriented.

More of my work can be seen Here and also Here.

 

Guest Post – Didier Feldmann

Black And White Photography, Didier, Photography

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Words, Photographies, Films.
I have always written ever since I was 18 until now and I am 61 years old.
My writing is shared across these three media types and I always try to link or intertwine them in my creative works.

I worked for a long time an IT Engineer and later a Project Manager in Digital Communication Agencies. While I worked at these jobs just as waves washed ashore at the beach I had phases where my desire of photography was strong and alternatively, I also had times where photography disappeared completely from my life. Ten years ago I became a Free Lance Cinematographer / Photographer for Corporate communication.

Making Corporate films is my breadwinner, and when I have enough money and time I make films for my own enjoyment. Photography is more intimate and I practice it on a daily basis, as a « note look »…

I seldom use people in my photography, only shapes, light, shadows and words. I don’t use words as a legend, but rather as an extension of the image. I use B&W, because of its formal beauty, abstraction and breeding ground for emotions. I explain my move to B&W in my film –  “The Abandonment (of color)” which can be viewed Here

I was born in Paris and still live in Paris for the best and the worst of this city.  For the last 4 years I have used an iPhone but quickly grew tired of the low quality of images (even if the Apple marketing tells us the contrary) and the lack of manual control for making shallow depth of field. I recently switched to a Ricoh GR II and even though it is not the perfect camera it put an APS-C sensor size in my pocket. Bored by Photoshop I also recently switched to Capture One, (which has color corrections tools closed than those I use in Resolve for grading film), for doing contrast and luminance improvements on the whole image and on several areas to break the uniformity of the exposition brings by the Multi Zones internal light meter.
You can find more photographies on – Videopaper
and a selection of films on – Videopaper – Vimeo