River Walkway in Rockford – Black and White Photography

38 Replies

Anyone that has been following my work, knows that I have a love for black and white photography. It may be because I started shooting with black and white film in college and developed my own prints or it could be because there is a certain dramatic element that can be portrayed in black and white vs. color. The subject matter must be just right and the contrast in shapes and subjects plays an important part. I am attaching five differ captures displaying each in the original color and the final black and white print. I want to note that when I did this shoot, I saw each shot in black and white and that was my original intent.

The setting is a wooden walkway along the Rogue River in Rockford, Michigan. This was a typical “Kirt wandered off from the group to get some shots”, scenario. As I wasn’t into shopping in the village and knew it would take a little bit of time for everyone to agree on a restaurant for lunch, I excused myself and these shots are the result (part of the result…more to come from another area of the river).

I also want to note if I had been at this location during peak fall colors, we wouldn’t be having this discussion on black and white photography with these shots.

What I like about these pictures, is the depth the walkway creates as it winds along the river between the trees. Since it is winter, the branches create a separate element of contrast. I shoot in RAW format, so I can adjust the detail and contrast to give an edgier look, which I did. I am going to frame three of them in my office, so would appreciate any feedback on which three.

 

Rockford 1

Rockford 1

Rockford 2

Rockford 2

 

Rockford 3

Rockford 3

Rockford 4

Rockford 4

Rockford 5

Rockford 5

Rockford 6

Rockford 6

 

Rockford 7

Rockford 7

Rockford 8

Rockford 8

Rockford 9

Rockford 9

Rockford 10

Rockford 10

 

 

Thoughts? (P.S. – it’s ok if you prefer the color…no offense taken, I admit I have a penchant for B&W)

Please visit my main gallery: TheWallGallery (All domestic orders over $60.00 – free shipping!)

Follow my work:

Facebook: TheWallGallery by Kirt Tisdale. (Page likes are always appreciated!)

Google+: TheWallGallery

Twitter: KirtWallGallery

Instagram: Kirttisdale

Tsu: KirtWallGallery

 

Black and

38 thoughts on “River Walkway in Rockford – Black and White Photography”

  4. Carl D'Agostino

    For some reason #10 with its winding walls and alternating pitch of walkway brought to mind Great Wall of China. B/W gives it a sense of ancientness as opposed to color. #3 and color #4 gave me a sense of beginning a great journey or of entering a portal of some kind. Makes me realize that composition in photography is as important as composition in painting re what realizations are evoked in the mind of the viewer.

    Reply ↓
    1. Kirt D Tisdale Post author

      I agree Carl….the composition creates the visual story for the viewer in either medium. I am drawn to these types of visuals…..path in the woods. It pulls your eye into the picture and gets the curious mind wondering what’s around the next bend (as is true when I’m actually hiking).thanks for stopping by Carl…I appreciate the feedback!!

      Reply ↓
  5. Dan Antion

    These are all beautiful Kirt. I love the way the branches bend over the path. I like 2,4 & 7. For some reason, I prefer the color version of that last one. I hope you made it back in time to eat.

    Reply ↓
  8. philosophermouseofthehedge

    I do love that last one as it has so much movement. (which you don’t see in the color version – color distracts from lines sometimes – depends on your objective)
    Also like the 2nd BW one which looks like an etching. More dramatic. Those little stick add interest on the walk add interest making it less common than just a walkway into the woods – the colored version is nice, but the sticks on the BW add an unsettled/foreshadowing mood to the image.

    Reply ↓
  10. lorriebowden

    Kirt…there something about #9 that took my breath away as I scrolled down. It was like the expectancy of where that path led was something miraculous!! 🙂 Great shots…and I get the “Kirt wandered off” scenario…I’ve been there a time or two 😉

    Reply ↓
      2. Kirt D Tisdale Post author

        Just wanted to give you a heads up….I have B&W railroad tracks running thru my brain for next week….there is a colorful reprieve in today’s post…. 🙂

  12. teagan geneviene

    You know how I am about needing to be surrounded by colors. So naturally I like those best. Even if I weren’t that way, I like the moss on the railing, and I don’t see that in the B/W.
    Hugs!

    Reply ↓
  14. reocochran

    The black and white photographs look like beautiful pen and ink drawings, Kirt. Very nicely presented with crisp lines and interesting bends and details captured in each shot. Hugs, Robin

    Reply ↓
  18. Canuck Carl

    Loved reading the background of how you ended up on this walkway. I would probably have done the very same thing….being the shopper that I am..lol

    I love how the boards are in the black and white shots, so rustic looking. To pick 3 is very difficult, they are all that good. My choices, #1, #2 and the last (#5)

    Very wonderful Kirt. Have a great rest of the week! 🙂

    ~Carl~

    Reply ↓

  19. Pingback: Flagstaff Railroad Tracks – Excerpts From a Photo Shoot | thewallgalleryblog

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s