Sunset, Peru, Massachusetts

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

Peru, Massachusetts © Steven Willard

I had wanted to photograph this church located in the small town of Peru,Massachusetts for several years. The problem had always been a matter of light, and the fact that I didn’t get by there very often. This day, however, my companion and I had left Shelburne Falls, earlier than usual which put us in Peru at just the right time.

I worked for a bit trying to photograph the building without including the wires, but it just wasn’t possible, and in the end decided that they were part of the true image and could be included without ruining it.

Olympus OMD EM1 with 12-40mm f2.8 zoom.

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A wall we can afford

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

Affordable Wall © Steven Willard

Perhaps it isn’t a wall on our southern boarder we need, but a really imposing gate. With this as an example, we can see that by showing people an imposing gate we project the idea we must have a fence to go with it. People will believe anything if it’s presented with enough authority.

Rolliflex with Ilford FP4 Plus, developed in PMK, scanned from gelatin silver print.

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The meaning of Lillies

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

Lillies © Steven Willard

I’m not sure I understand what it means that the flower most associated with funerals is also the thirtieth anniversary flower, according toTeleflora’s website. Sometimes it’s best not to read too much into things.

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Say What?

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

Say what? New York City © Steven Willard

You know how you can be walking around and catch a part of a conversation that attracts your attention? On a recent meet up with some members of the Monochromia blog we found ourselves waiting in Grand Central Station. I was walking past the information kiosk when those words caught my attention. That’s all I heard, but it was enough to spin me around in search of the source, hoping for a photograph. I saw this and the camera came up long enough to record this image and then everything changed. People stepped in front of me, and by the time I got another look it was all over and the woman at the window was gone. Damn, this street photography business is hard for an old guy like me!

Olympus OMD EM1 with 12-40mm f2.8 zoom processed in Snapseed.

The Drive By

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

Garden Arch © Steven Willard

An unusual situation for me, because I can’t recall where this image was made. What I do remember is that I caught a glimpse of the arch out of the corner of my eye as I was driving down a two lane country road someplace in Litchfield County, Connecticut…as if that narrows it down. I pulled off the road (not an easy thing on some of our roads) and walked back to make some exposures. I hadn’t seen the antique barrow until then.

Olympus OMD EM5 with Panasonic 20mm f1.7 lens, one of my favorites. I love how it “draws”, and produces an almost 3D impression. It’s inexpensive, too.

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Marc at home

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

Marc at home © Steven Willard

I’m glad to call Marc my friend. Former Marine wounded in Vietnam, photographer, camera repairman, a true polymath with more books than some town libraries. I made this portrait of Marc while he was sitting at his bar, lit by one overhead light fixture, one of those hanging things with a large frosted bulb with a white shade.

I don’t take enough portraits of my friends. It’s something I should do more often. You probably should too.

Pentax K5IIs with legacy 50mm f1.4 lens processed in Snapseed.

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Fond Memories

Photography

Fond memories © Steven Willard

Some images you just like because they bring back fond memories. This photograph was made when my very good friend Dave Woodruff, whom I had known since high school, came for a visit from Austin, Texas. He died, not long after this trip, of brain cancer. He never complained. One of the nicest guys you would ever hope to meet. We were good friends for over fifty years and I still miss him.

Canon G10.

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A Place In The Sun

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

I marvel how Hollywood manages to adapt novels into screenplays and then into movies. It’s hard for me to imagine Theodore Dreiser ever dreaming that his novel “American Tragedy” (1923) could be transformed into the movie “A Place in the Sun” (1951) starring the ever moody Montgomery Clift and the translucent Elizabeth Taylor. The general plot is the same, or similar enough that there has been no argument about attribution, but just about everything else, location, names and title have been changed. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a terrific movie, it is, but it argues in favor for the talent of the screen writers (Michael Wilson and Harry Brown) and director George Stevens. Worth watching.

For me, a place in the sun, means something different. It’s a place to sit and enjoy a few quiet minutes in the warm glow of afternoon, and someone interesting to share it with.

Pentax K5IIs processed in PS Cs4.

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Never Too Old

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

Friend Giles invited me to his fly tying class under the belief I was interested in learning to tie flies. I may have given him that impression, but what I was really after was the opportunity to make some photographs. Most of the group, which numbered about a dozen, were near my age, and extremely friendly, even sharing their snacks and wine. Who knows, I may go back and give it a go. Never too old.

Olympus OMD EM5 with Panasonic 42.5mm f1.7 lens.

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Needs Paint

Black And White Photography, Photography, Steven

The realtor must have had a sense of humor, or had never actually seen the property.

I was reminded of the wonderful movie, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) staring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy as a couple tired of living in Manhattan who buy a run down house in Connecticut, only to find out they are in over their heads. Melvin Douglas plays the role of the “suffering” architect who tries to give everybody what they want. Don Brodie in the role of the painter knows a thing or two about handling a client without them knowing it, and Louise Beavers, the family cook who saves the day. Cary and Myrna at their best.

Olympus OMD EM1 with legacy 50mm f3.5 macro. Black and White conversion with Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.

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