Category: Monochrome

I wanted a break from my normal routines, so I only took my Leica Monochrome, a special camera for special places. The first photo I took was of Maria (above) sketching in our AirNB. She always sketches when we are in a hotel or motel and when we are waiting in a doctor’s office. This image captures her creative spirit. See how it makes you feel.

On our way back from Northern Vermont, we stopped at a curious roadside shop. It was old, wooden, and mysterious, with hundreds of guitars hanging from the ceiling.  The owner shouted hello but was working in the back, we never saw him or spoke to him.

There were all kinds of old and imaginative, even haunting things, I took these photos and know nothing about any of them

I was tempted to bring one or two of these men home, but there is plenty of junk in my office, and in the house, we are trying to have less, not more. I love the feeling of black-and-white photography; monochrome is a soul capture. We walked all around this haunting store in an old general store. It was full of feeling and mystery.

There were hundreds of funky old things and hundreds of stringless guitars hanging from the ceiling. Perhaps the owner fixes them, strings them, and brings them back to life. We didn’t buy anything, but I hope to go back.

Good Wednesday morning. Today, to welcome back a used Leica Q2 monochrome, I’m celebrating by making this a black-and-white picture day (except for color and light this evening). I have much to learn about this camera; it’s older and needs different handling than the old one. I have a good deal to learn.

I’m eager to tackle the mysteries of black and white photography; I have it on trial for a month. And this is the right camera to try out with.

I’m talking to my Leica teachers today to get help with the different settings. Here are the first to today’s experiments in different lights and at different times. It’s the only way to learn.

Zip was waiting for our usual morning meeting place and time on the garden bed.

Maria’s day begins with shoveling manure. She’s good at it and enjoys doing it.

Black and white creates a whole different feeling in photography. I plan to work hard at getting good at it.

The hens, scared away by Zip, are returning to their old habits – like sitting outside of the door hoping for some food. They didn’t get any there.