Something about Black and White

There is something about black and white. There is something about portraiture. There is something about some things that totally gets the mark. Sometimes, something stands out to us that totally reaches beyond the rest of what we are experiencing. I like that, I like that feeling. It’s perfection but it’s not. It fits, genuine in what it is. Black and white stripes have that for me, I love it. What is it for you?

I was recently at a Mardi Gras parade in Shreveport, Louisiana. If you haven’t been to Shreveport, I’ll tell you they know something about music and parades and parties, over there. They know about it in a different way than the populations of other places I have been. There’s not a lot of holding back. It’s a passionate population and a fun one. I was born in Shreveport but I’ve never really lived in Shreveport. I’ve lived many other places and I can tell you about the USA at length. I could write a travel blog. Louisiana and it’s music are worth visiting. Some of the food, I’ve been too scared to try, yet, but I’m thinking about it. No, I’m not. I’ll try some things but not others. I’m not trying crawfish.

I’m wandering in my thoughts. Mostly, I have this picture I want to share with you. Black and white, I encourage you to take pictures with it. Go get some black and white striped fabric at the fabric store, if you can still find one of those. You don’t even really need a sewing machine. Once I realised I could staple fabric together, that sometimes that’s what designers do – the truly creative ones, I found freedom. I found a black and white skirt about eighteen inches long, cut it in half and stapled it to a curtain rod and made cafe curtains out of it. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be well made. Staple something together, tape it. Try it, you might like it!

Black and white patterns in photography are visually appealing to me. I love how easily they add interest to an image. In this image, I love the smile and expression on this woman’s face. I love the twinkle and the happiness in her eyes. The black and white adds immediate visual interest. And the feather and mask and the one red flower contribute to a quality that pushes the costume toward over the top. This woman’s personality is really what makes this image work, but adding details makes me smile all the more. Details include the bokeh, bokeh meaning the image background circles resulting from blur of light coming through a tree behind her. I will teach you about bokeh sometime when I have more time.

I’ve been told I like black and white so much I should consider becoming a referee. Hmmm .. .

c.s.