I have always appreciated black and white photographs. Works of art by Ansel Adams and minimalist photographers invoke varying emotions. Of course, I love classic photographs of Hollywood starlets such as Marilyn Monroe.
I am an engineer and I have been pursuing artistic forms of expression such as writing and more recently photography. I caught the photography bug in 1989. Armed with my Nikon FM2 I served the U.S. Navy for eight years. I traveled extensively and photographed as much as I could.
However, when I left the Navy in 1996 I lost interest in photography. I started a new career and I just didn’t have the passion anymore. Last year, I purchased a digital camera and a scanner. I began creating digital copies of my old photographs and capturing new ones.
Last week, I purchased another camera: a Canon EOS 60D. I think you could say that I’ve caught the bug again. These creative endeavors provide relief from the day-to-day grind of my regular job.
The technology is amazing. When it comes to post-processing color photographs, however, I am a bit challenged because I am color blind. Therefore, I began exploring the world of black and white photography. This world of shape, form, tone, and textures has been exciting.
I wanted to share some photographs I captured over the last few months.
Constance V. Walden said:
Thanks for sharing these black and white photos. Great job! Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Miles Long said:
Thank you! It’s nice to know others appreciate black and white!
Mikalee Byerman said:
OOOH…I recognize Foggy Bottom! Always loved that Metro stop, just for the fun name…
And I always LOVED the Metro stations — beautiful in so many ways.
Great pix…
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I recently returned there and took some more pictures to including the bluring of an inbound train. I like Foggy Bottom-GWU metro stop because I can walk from there down to the Arlington Memorial Bridge to watch the sunrise.
Laura said:
these are beautiful!
Miles Long said:
Thank you
tworden said:
Been to D.C. a few times, recognized the metro stop picture.
Miles Long said:
I’ve always thought the architecture of the ceiling in the stops were captivating.
murphyjoel said:
Fantastic! I always thought the underground Metro stations were so interesting, with that Belgian Waffle type ceiling. Great stuff.
Dounia said:
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing and congrats on being freshly pressed!
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I must admit that I’ve been neglecting my blog for, dare I say, work. 😦 I had no idea I was selected! Nor did I realize I had so many comments waiting approval! I wish I could spend more time taking pictures and writing instead of…. dare I say, “work.”
matthewdpayne said:
Ooh-Rah! Thanks for the rides =) Great photos, I love the Washington DC Metro snap. Glad the bug got back to you and keep clicking, you do great!
Matt
USMC
Miles Long said:
Ooh-Rah Devil Dog… I was a submarine sailor for eight years. I love getting down to D.C. as much often as I can. Stay tuned and I will be sharing my flickr photostream and I plan on making some trips to Arlington National Cemetery soon. I am anxious to capture some beautiful pictures.
a1exandrac0rrine13 said:
i live in dc and i love your photos. i often include photos of dc on my blog- you should follow
Miles Long said:
Excellent! Thank you… and WOW.. you blog page is amazing! I recently purchased a Garmin GPS (designed for hiking) which has an accuracy of about 15 feet. I use it to geoencode and create maps of my D.C. adventures through a plugin in Adobe Lightroom 3. Often times I find a beautiful monument or location which isn’t clearly identified! Then I research it when I get home. Sometimes, I like to share them on Wikipedia.
Thanks again… I will be watching your blog!
antarabesque said:
Beautiful. I particularly like the bridge.
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I love the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Often times, I will leave my home in Fairfax County around 5:30AM just so I can watch the sunrise over the Potomac — it is so peaceful. I have some beautiful pictures of this bridge which I will share soon.
Rob Page III said:
Lovely images of DC. Glad you’re back into photography. If you’re looking for scenes similar to the Union Station photo above check out the Ronald Reagan Center’s outdoor passages.
Miles Long said:
Thank you… I will. I have always LOVED the architecture of Union Station. It is a huge building and it is hard to convey its size.
Modern Funk said:
Love your photos…good eye!
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! Good eye… just not for color!! HAHA! Thank you.
afrankangle said:
Fabulous pics … and b&w images seem timeless.
London Caller said:
Metro Station is so cool.
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I spent some time in London many years ago… I have some old pictures which I might try converting to black and white. Such a beautiful city!
Donna said:
Beautiful. You have a true eye. I’ve always loved black and white photography, and my own amateur creations speak to that love. I hope you continue to capture!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Donna… I appreciate that. I have always been an “amateur” but I love the creative process but have been shy about sharing! Recently a friend of mine began encouraging me to share my pictures and poems… I am glad I did. Thank you! I will be checking out your blog, too!
Palm Trees & Bare Feet said:
Wow! Beautiful photographs!
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! 🙂
Miles Long said:
Thank you! to be honest, I didn’t even know I was “Freshly Pressed” 😦 I have been ignoring my blog lately because I have been working…. 😦
drawandshoot said:
These are all beautiful images! I love the detail and the texture in Close-up 2.
PCC Advantage said:
These photographs are gorgeous!! My favourite is of the Arlington Memorial Bridge…just beautiful. 🙂
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! On the bank over looking the Potomac and to the left of the Arlington Memorial Bridge is my favorite place to sit and watch the sunrise. It is so peaceful!
thebigbookofdating said:
I’m a sucker for good black and white stills! Awesome pictures (:
Miles Long said:
Thank you! Me, too! Color is distracting! The tones draw me in. Especially great character portraits… you can really see and feel the person… in my opinion.
beyondpaisley said:
Beautiful! I’ve always loved the look of the DC Metro station…I have a not-nearly-as-good picture of it a friend sent me, but someday I need to get back with a decent camera.
Up Yours Gallery said:
Beauteous!
Miles Long said:
Thank you.
zookyshirts said:
I live in the DC area, so it was cool to see these local places. I especially liked the photos of Union Station and the Metro — great use of the repeated patterns!
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I love those structures. Perhaps, it is the engineer in my which finds the symmetry relaxing! LOL. Thank you.
Elizabeth said:
amazing photos!!
Miles Long said:
Thank you!
deborahbidwell said:
very good photo’s, congrats for being FP, I do believe many do not have an appreciation for the minimalist view, but get trapped in the need for color, and for that they miss so much more, you can see it in your photos one only need to look, not staring but to look into the depth without color.
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I concur. I am finding myself drawn more and more toward low key black and whites, too with minimal composition. Thank you again!
dailyshorts said:
These are great and as a Washingtonian I appreciate anyone who appreciates, respects, and finds the beauty in this beautiful city. Thanks for posting. I
Miles Long said:
Thank you! the more I venture into the city the more I discover about the city. It is tied to our history and I love learning more about it every time I discover a new location. The other day, I took a beautiful picture of the Kutz bridge over the Tidal Basin and I had no idea who Kutz was. Great history lessons! thank you again.
Michael Francis McCarthy said:
Very nice, indeed! I especially like the shot of the Metro – very architectural and striking. Best to you, Michael
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I love architecture…. sure, I’d love to photograph beautiful women but I feel a bit awkward asking them. LOL… so photographing architecture is easier!
hellenjc said:
Loving this post, Miles. Great photos, there’s somehting about Black&White photography isn’t there? …. I have just ordered a Nikon D5100 and can’t wait for it to arrive 😉
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! Hellen.. I am excited for you!! I just “followed” your blog. I have owned both Nikons and Canons… I love them both! I am anxious to see what you’re going to create!
valentinedee said:
There’s something mystical to me about black and white shots. It appears to make time stand still. Great post.
http://valentinedefrancis.wordpress.com
Miles Long said:
I agree. I have been drawn closer to low key black and white… there is something mysterious about it… makes the viewer check again to figure out what they are really looking at. Thank you!
abichica said:
beautiful picture, you are so talented. they have a life in them and are just emotional.. 😀
Frayed Edge Concepts, LLC said:
You have stunning work here. I am envious of your talent!
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! I am flattered you’d say that! I just enjoy writing and taking pictures! It wasn’t until recently a friend encouraged me to share… it had always been something personal to me but it is nice to hear that others enjoy it to. Thank you again!
rsmithing said:
Cool photos and good post, sir. Keep going!
Miles Long said:
Thank you for taking the time to read my stuff!!
Eva McCane said:
i love black and white. color is vibrant and lively, but black and white is so classic and elegant. great shots! thanks for sharing.
Miles Long said:
Thank you Eva… I concur. I think that black and white forces a person to look closer at the subject. Really examine the tones and subtleties. Thank you for taking the time. As soon as I figure out how to integrate my flickr photostream, i will… stay tuned. Thank you!
restlessjo said:
Can’t be all bad being colourblind if this is the result- I love it. Your Union Station photo reminds me of the Praca do Commercio arcades in Lisbon. Congrats on FP.
Miles Long said:
Thank you!! The worse part about being color blind is choosing the right clothes to work! Sometimes I show up looking like a clown! LOL… thank you!
Ron Scubadiver said:
After getting my fist DSLR I shot exclusively in color, probably because with film manipulations of color images was so difficult. Over the last few months I am doing more and more B&W. It seems to work best for street, portraits and architecture, at lest the subjects that I find. Gradually I am realizing do it in B&W unless color adds something special to the image. B&W also gets rid of brightly colored background object distractions. I do my conversions in Lightroom, but might try Photoshop. You have some nice shots here. Stop by if you have the time.
-Ron
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I agree… First of all, I always shoot in RAW. the two best tools I have are Adobe Lightroom 3 and Photoshop. However, I would strongly recommend Silver Efex Pro by Nik software… it is a plugin to Lightroom 3 and Photoshop and it is specifically designed for black and white photographers. it isn’t too expensive either. Also, the book “Creative Black and White” by Harold Davis really opened my eyes.
secretlyanonymouslyme said:
I knew I recognized that metro station, I go to GWU
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I like to get off at the metro station so I can walk down to the Lincoln Memorial and I get to check out all of the beautiful college girls!
How to DJ said:
Black and White Photos are so much better than color (IMO)
Cheers
-Ron
Miles Long said:
I concur… thank you for checking out my blog!
Grace said:
Beautiful photos! I love the one of the bridge!
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I’ve always loved the simple but elegant architecture of the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
jeniacovelli said:
i really love the picture of the bridge! nice images!
Miles Long said:
Thank you for checking out my blog! I am trying to get my flickr photostream integrated but…. I am bogged down from work. 😦
composerinthegarden said:
Love the Union Station shot; I used a similar shot of it for a surrealistic composite photo I did a few years ago. D.C. has some wonderful architectural subjects for this type of shooting. Nice post, congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Miles Long said:
Thank you and I agree. When I took that shoot, I just did it quick with my 50mm prime lens set to f/1.8 handheld. When I returned home, I liked it so much I was determined to return and do it “right.” I since returned, took several shots at ISO 100 on a tripod. I even blurred incoming trains. It was fun!
Candice Dias said:
Really loved your images! I am originally from the DC area so it was nice seeing some familiar sites! keep it up 🙂
Miles Long said:
Thank you!! Come home to D.C. someday!!
amiarting said:
Nice
http://amiarting.wordpress.com/
Miles Long said:
Thank you. I check out your blog… wow… you are creative!!! I love the picture in your post “BlackInBlack” … very hot!
Tisha Clinkenbeard said:
Great black and whites. My favorite is the bridge.
Miles Long said:
Thank you Tisha!
Wendy Edsall-Kerwin said:
I love black and white photography and it’s really all about bringing out the texture and the contrast. Your macro shots are really cool and the glowing white of the bridge and the handprints is somewhat ethereal. Keep up the good work!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Wendy. I really like Macro photography… I have a nice little setup at home and I can “waste” a lot of time just taking pictures of odds and ends. It’s a world I like to escape to…
c & s W said:
Love this. I too am a sucker for b&w photography, plus you’ve captured my home city beautifully on a very nostalgic week for an American expat. Thanks for sharing.
Miles Long said:
Thank you for checking out my blog.
michaelpatrickjost said:
Very nice photographs! Black and white is underrated…
Best wishes from a fellow DC area resident and photographer!
MPJ
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! D.C. is a wonderful and historical city….
superblogger4 said:
Those are all very beautiful photos! Congrats on being on fresh press.
http://www.eartharoundus.wordpress.com
Miles Long said:
Thank you very much!
chasingtimemedia said:
Nice photos! The black and white works really well 🙂
kmanchor said:
I enjoy the photo of the Foggy Bottom Metro station. The design is interesting. Your photo from the FDR memorial reminds me that I REALLY need to visit it. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Miles Long said:
Thank you and YES! Honestly, I hadn’t planned on visiting the FDR memorial but I stumbled across it and I was quite moved.
aefountain said:
Thank you for sharing. I love black and white and sepia photographs. Sometimes the message of the picture gets lost in it’s colour. Your work is beautiful and I appreciate you showing it.
Miles Long said:
Thank you very much… I really like Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro… they have some wonderful toning options!
John said:
Nice photos…. When computers came along and colorization of movies and such became possible, as excited as I was for the technical advance (to say colorize documentary or war footage for example) I was always against the colorization of movies because movies fall under the heading of artwork. Black and white, or more accurately, monochromatic art creates a different feeling for sure.
Miles Long said:
Thank you and I agree. Anyone who takes a close look at the movie Casablanca can really appreciate GREAT lighting… and the wonderful tones. Love that movie… a masterpiece!
eandjgovschool said:
Wow… These are beautiful
The closeups just have so much value.
Gorgeous
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I really love the “focus” macro work requires.
My Camera, My Friend said:
Lovely photos. I’m glad you caught the bug again.
Miles Long said:
Thank you!! Me too!
davidclark81 said:
Love the photos! I shot an HDR at almost the same angle 2 years ago in the DC metro station. I’m a hug fan of B&W as well. Glad to see you got the ‘bug’ again. keep posting samples!
Miles Long said:
Thank you!! Awesome… I am not a big fan of HDR… only because some people make it too surreal. However, I am beginning to really appreciate High Focal Range (HFR)… it is really sweet…
From Moments to Memories said:
LOVELY LOVELY pics. I am also partial to Black & White 🙂 Beautiful photography!
Miles Long said:
Thank you for taking the time!
jblogalot said:
How did you learn to photograph so well ? Nice pictures by the way =)
3nailsgavemeliberty said:
I love black and white photography, especially when it has that grainy texture to it. Great photos!
3nailsgavemeliberty said:
(I’m referring to film photographs, and although the above photos don’t have that grainy look, they are stil eye catchers. Just wanted to bring clarity to my comment)
Caio!
Miles Long said:
I know what you mean… have you ever checked out the “Film Noir” genre of black and white photography… very low key, grainy, with sexual overtones. … the are very cool. Flickr has a group for it.. check it out.
Miles Long said:
OH! And thank you!!!
Lulu Simawati said:
nice pictures
Miles Long said:
Thank you Lulu!!
John zhao said:
Nice shots, just simply beautiful.
Miles Long said:
Thank you John!
T. L. A. said:
I love your photographs! Beautiful, stunning…
Miles Long said:
Thank you…. I appreciate you checking out my blog!
janetthomas said:
These photographs show great sensitivity to their subjects. I particularly like the architectural ones of the different Memorials and the Bridge. I think you understand the tonal contrasts of balck and white photography very well. Thanks for sharing them 🙂
Miles Long said:
Thank you Janet!!! I thought I understand “tonal contrasts” until I purchased “The Negative” and “The Print” by Ansel Adams… .wow… that is why is the MASTER. Those books taught me so much!!
Sarah said:
These are lovely photographs. My favorite is the Arlington Memorial Bridge. The FDR Memorial photo is very special also. I love black and white, perhaps i should do more of it.
Thank you for these shots.
Miles Long said:
Thank you Sarah!! If you do try Black and White, I recommend always shooting in RAW if you can. This way… your sensor has captured EVERYTHING. Then your black and white conversion will be more accurate and it gives you more options in post processing!
Joko Rivai said:
What a feeling, seeing FDR memorial. Very nice photos…
Miles Long said:
Thank you! To be honest… I hadn’t planned on visiting the “new” FDR memorial. But when I stumbled upon it, the architecture just screamed black and white. It is a very moving monument.
journey2dfuture said:
Stunning blog. I love black and white photos. I wish i could get out more to take some i will share a link with you when i’m home of my black and white ones. Ill book mark this blog for the future i hope to be seeing more here.
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! … and Yes, please share your photographs!
witnessthefire said:
Love it 😉
Miles Long said:
Thank you so much… you are on fire! 😀
Miles Long said:
I mean because… your profile picture is beautiful.
grace said:
Nice photos. Do you fnd that black and white digital s equivalent to black and white film? I find it harder to replicate creative grain in digital B&W.
Miles Long said:
Thank you Grace!! It can be… however, I am not a big fan of the “grainy.” But there are lots of really great tools in post processing… such as Silver Efex pro… Also, try to turning your ISO up high and disabling the high-ISO optimization off (which reduces noise). I am sure you’ll get lots of static then! 😀
DoF@theinfill said:
Very nice images indeed. I do enjoy a good b&w pic. Textures, light and shade and reflections can often come over much clearer for the lack of extra colouration beyond the greys. (But colour blind? In the Navy? Didn’t it cause any probs?) Many thanks for sharing your photos 😉
Miles Long said:
haha! Thank you… let’s just say… I wasn’t eligible for bomb disposal, electronics, or ordnance! I was a cryptologist!
Angela said:
I love seeing serious photographers do work in the DC metro stations. Leaving a Nationals game as a fresh-faced 17-year-old I tested out my brand new camera atop an escalator in one of the stations and distinctly heard someone say, “Who would take a picture of that?!” Glad to see others enjoy the architecture (and congrats on being Freshly Pressed!).
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! Yes, there is something cool about the metro stations… they’re dark, mysterious. lots of strangers and the architecture is cool…
Calvin Barnett said:
Some really incredible photos, I love the use of black and white especially in Korean War Memorial where you’ve caught the reflection of the surface. Really impressive that you captured and focused on the use of black and white due to being colour blind, way to play to your strengths man!
Miles Long said:
Thank you… I have been back to the Korean War Memorial several times early in the morning. My goal is to capture the statues with some fog still on the ground… it is a moving memorial.
Cristina Luisa said:
Gorgeous photos! I especially love “Close-up 2”. Glad to see you’ve come back to your artistic pursuits; sometimes our creativity has something up its sleeve for us. 😉
zazuatzazzle said:
nice read! love black & white!
ennospace said:
It is beaustiful, thanks for share! By the way, something needs colorful express to make our memory forever!
Remi R. said:
Indeed, the world of black and white is the best way to express yourself.
stanjaxon said:
In a crazy way, I think black and white show so much more then color.
saarimner said:
Great images! What a great way of getting rid of an obstacle like being color blind, using B&W-photo, and you’re doing in an awesome way!
Adrian said:
How about black and white painting? Take a look at my profile, I have one which I drawn for fun, or some here? http://www.calligraphy-room.com
gina.a.r said:
Hi there! I love B&W photos as well and I love yours especially those close-up ones. Do check out my wordpress at http://zbargina.wordpress.com/
I have recently put up some photos ;D
Liquiphonics said:
Beautiful photos Jamie, they’ve made me think about getting back into B&W again. Good luck with the new job, Matt
Miles Long said:
Thank you Sir!
W. R. Woolf said:
Very nice photographs 🙂
And a change is as good as a rest. I can very well understand why you like to take photos in your free time. Personally, I find it much more rewarding to be creative in my free time than for example watching television; I feel there is something very special about creating things 🙂
Gooi Weg said:
Beautiful!
bandsmoke said:
Fabulous – the black and white genre is spectacular.
Miss K said:
I’ve got pictures of so many of the same things in DC! It’s really interesting to see how different people’s perspectives vary. I loved your Korean War Memorial picture, very different to mine! That’s one of my favourite war memorials, I visited it just about twilight and it was incredibly atmospheric.
Miles Long said:
Thank you and I agree. Each photographer sees our subjects differently.
Ðĕø said:
Nice photos! 🙂
nugroho utomo said:
Cool art brader…great post
EmSwanson said:
My brother was on exchange in D.C. last year and I visited him during the summer. Such memorable sites that look great in black and white 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Michele La Morte-Shbat said:
Glad you caught the “photography bug,” again, as your photos are beautiful! . . . Your images make me a bit homesick, as I lived in the DC area for 17 years!
http://arabianmusings.wordpress.com/
freespirit2 said:
I am a photographer myself and have always had a passion for black and white. I have to say that the way you capture life is amazing. Photography is like life, there is always a positive and negative. Tammy
Miles Long said:
Thank you Tammy!!
Russell Smith said:
I grew up in Washington, D.C. When I saw you on the Freshly Pressed page, I immediately recognized the D.C. subway system. In b/w it looks like an alien hive. Bravo! I use color photography, but I truly admire black and white photography. –Russell
Miles Long said:
Thank you! Wow.. that is cool… I’ve traveled a lot over the years and yes, the D.C. metro stations have a look and feel!
ceceliafutch said:
Beautiful photography. I love B&W–elegant. You do a fine job of capturing the subject. I lived in metro-DC until recently so I recognized these places. Congrats on being FP!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Cecelia!
anninblogi said:
I love black and white photographs, too!
Hatboro Mike said:
No photographer I, but I would agree that black & white photos – depending on the subject matter – can be more dramatic and expressive. Good luck with your reacquired passion!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Mike!
lightbox3d said:
Being from DC, I love these B&W shots. I will post one for you of the US Capitol that I took recently. If u haven’t already, you may want to check out Silver Efex Pro. Great program for processing B&W.
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! I am looking forward to seeing the picture… and Yes, I use Silver Efex Pro… it is excellent!!!
Matt George said:
Absolutely, cool photos you shot. Nice work. As a photo teacher at a high school, you did a great job on the use of framing the Arlington Memorial Bridge with the trees.
Miles Long said:
Thank you Matt!!! I am still learning!!! I have lots of books and lots of practice!!! I recently purchased “The Negative” and “The Print” by Ansel Adams… and wow… he is the MASTER!!
teamgloria said:
beautiful pictures.
and we completely understand the beauty of creativity transforming one’s day to day (or “the Day Job”) existence.
will visit here again.
have a beautiful day in monochrome.
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! HAHAHA!! Hope you have a monochrome day with distinct tones throughout.
emeraldeyephotography said:
LOVE the macro of the rose, and the handprints. So nice!
Miles Long said:
Thank you… I love the FDR memorial. There something about those hands in the steel columns which really intrigue me.
KMcGee said:
Black and white photos are more glamorous and stirring. That’s why the beginning of Woody Allen’s Manhattan is so beautiful!
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! Great Movie too!
Helen said:
These are lovely, I really think the contrasting of textures you speak of enjoying comes across well, I particularly like the contrasting of the solidity of the Arlington Memorial Bridge with the wispy softness of the pines in the foreground. Really interesting. I for one am glad you’ve caught the bug again!
Cathy said:
I also love black and white photos. It makes the subject stand out all the more. Doesn’t it? By the way, your photos are stunning. :>
Miles Long said:
Thank you Cathy!! I agree… I especially like character portraits in B&W..they really draw you into the subject. I saw a B&W portrait of Mother Teresa and you could just feel the the love.
trueconfessionsofafemalemotorcyclist said:
I shoot with a Canon 60D as well and love it. I live in the DC area, too and love photographing the bridges in the area. My favorite is general street photography and capturing the many moments of people enjoying the wonders in the nation’s capital or gathering in protest regarding one issue or another. To me, it’s capturing history as it happens.
Miles Long said:
Thank you!! And I agree!
Saad Solaiman said:
Excellent !
http://www.saadsolaiman.com
Jaina said:
These are beautiful. Particularly love the bridge scene with the foreground framing the scene nicely. Great work!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Jaina!
Red Toenails said:
Love b/w photos!! So poetic and romantic. Even the ugliest of places, faces or things look regal, dignified or stoic.
Great job and great post.
Dita
Miles Long said:
Thank you Dita…
Andrea Thomson Viner @ Iowa Dog Blog said:
I love these photographs, especially the first two. I have recently begun what I think will be a long love affair with photography. I like black and white shots because they can eliminate the sometimes messy look of competing colors, and as you said, bring the textures in a scene to the forefront. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Andrea!! Do photograph dogs much?!?!?
jacobthomson said:
Wow Very very nice B&W’s. They remind me of the early B&W photography.
Remember – “When you photograph people in color you photograph their clothes, When you photograph people in B&W you photograph their souls” – Ted Grant
Kaitlin said:
Oh wow, these are beautiful! I especially love the flowers in macro – generally we focus so much on the color, but the black and white medium forces us to admire the texture, which is really really cool.
midnitechef said:
Congrats on FP! I love the flower macro shots in black and white. Art certainly takes a new form if you are color blind.
Jacqueline said:
Great shot! Like your sub-header, “…everything is funny from the right perspective.” So true!
Miles Long said:
Thank you!!! Jacqueline… if you read my other posts… you’ll see why I chose that line. I have a really “strange” sense of humor…. LOL! Thank you!
Greg Lohr said:
Hey Miles, congrats on getting the bug back!
I’ve always enjoyed photography, but could never seem to frame my pictures just right. I’m loving my digital cameras, especially the one on my phone. I’ve been getting some really good shots lately, and if I don’t get it frames just right, I can always crop it myself. Love it!
And hey….you took some good pics! I enjoyed them, and thanks for sharing!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Greg!
4myskin said:
That rose is exquisite! Wonderful pictures! I love how much of the subject black and white can capture.
Miles Long said:
Thank you! I love flowers and that one I picked while I was walking my dog. I could feel the texture and i wanted to try and capture that. The rose is actually pink (I think)!
asoulwalker said:
I love the photo of the bridge. It’s fantastic.
aunaqui said:
I love the (macro) close-up on the rose.
I also enjoy b&w photography; I would describe each picture as a powerful understatement.
Aun Aqui
A Photographer said:
Beautiful!
http://www.thecameraangle.wordpress.com
mohanmohan said:
Most cinema in the “film noir” genre is black and white, and it is enhanced by the directors’ skills in manipulating the shots to take advantage of the nuances inherent in stark contrast. “Black and white” is an art form in the correct hands.
Miles Long said:
Film Noir is quite cool… I love low key black and white in general.. but Film noir is an interesting sub-genre… very cool.
mina said:
some lovely B & W pics .. there such a similar place in paris to the Union Station in Washington …. I´ll let you know when I upload it on my blog …
trialsinfood said:
beautiful photos!
scream911 said:
Incredible! I find colour is sometimes distracting – the black and white gives the raw emotion or feeling in that moment. Nice work. Glad you caught the bug again.
melissajayne93 said:
I love your photographs, thanks for sharing. I love black and white, I’m not distracted by the excitement of bold colours so it allows me to take more notice of the smaller more intricate details of the photograph. Great shots!
Miles Long said:
Thank you Melissa!!! And I agree… those details are what intrigue me. Both macro and B&W photography allows me to escape into the details!
Eeshan said:
Wonderful Photos! Nice work! 🙂
mysticalmana8 said:
Liked the pictures !!
brianwestbye said:
I love D.C. Metro stations. Such a great shot.
Mz. Practicality said:
Great shots!!!! Your passion shines through each pic. Keep it up!!
adityarathore said:
nice clicks
Evelyn N. Alfred said:
I like the subway picture.
literarykitty said:
I love the sense of perspective on the metro station picture. Rather beautiful in black and white.
Miles Long said:
Thank you so much!
AnaLuciaSilva said:
Awesome!
Maart said:
Nice pics! I absolutely love B&W pics. Keep shooting them, and sharing 🙂
thinktank101 said:
This is great. And inspiring to all. It should apply to people to get passions back that they have lost. No matter how big, small, grand or not. These are great photographs. I particularly like the Korean War Memorial photo. Very great stuff here sir.
Miles Long said:
Thank you very much! Any passion is worth pursuing in my opinion…. unless of course you’re a stalker! LOL. finding this passion again has re-energized me. ….
ederlyf said:
at black and white, we will see all the edges of photos. that looks great!
Miles Long said:
Wow… I am shocked to see so many “Likes!” Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my post and view my pictures. I think I will be sharing some more very soon!
rup said:
Fantastic photos. Can you give some techie detail? I didn’t think you could do good B&W in digital, only in film.
Miles Long said:
My opinion is this: Always shoot in RAW. Then use a good tool to “properly” convert it to black and white. Tools such as Adobe Lightroom 3 or Photoshop. I would also recommend getting the book “Creative Black and White” by Harold Davis. The book enlighten me.
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