Color or Black and White?

I can't figure it out. I don't do much in the way of landscape photography (it just doesn't speak to me) but when I do I can't resist making the photos black and white. I don't understand what drives me toward black and white? Is it the time of year. Spring is here but really hasn't taken hold (it snowed just yesterday). Is it because the colors are so muted that black and white just seems to fit the bill?

I don't know what it is about black and white that attracts me?


What is it about color that makes me loose interest. Is it the photos are boring to begin with, and black and white gives it the spice it needs?


Black and white clouds, mountains just seem more majestic?


Again the color just seems so bland. Maybe I just need to be able to go out and shoot when the light is good.


Maybe I am on a Black and White kick and this is just the favorite new flavor? Some people like plain vanilla, and plain isn't so bad sometimes!

Photowalking Utah, March

I managed to make it to the Photowalking Utah event this March. The last event I was sicker than a dog and missed. I sooo wanted to go last month. I almost missed the meet again this month. The group met at the Trax station located near the Moran Eye Center. I was late for reasons I don't want to get into. This is the same group that held the studio photowalking event that I blogged about here. You guessed it, if we met at the light rail station the photowalking event must have been themed around Trax. Actually the idea was to ride the train and shoot at every stop. Here is another photowalking member Jeremy photographing the train...



Urban/street photography is not the kind of photography that I usually do and for that reason was great! I got out of my comfort zone and was looking to photograph things that I usually don't care to photograph (non-people things).

So I did photograph some people. This man was on the street and was kind enough to allow his photo to be taken by many of us on the photo walk.

Here is a street tile...



Another member of the photowalking group... Diane



It was great fun to meet other photogs and to learn from so many that have tons of experience that I am just starting to grasp. Great stuff. Next time though I plan on being on time!

House hunting in a market meltdown

We are currently in the market for a home. I know, many would say that right now is not the best time to buy or sell, but the Marx family mantra is buy high sell low...



There are so many homes for sale but, it doesn't seem that anyone in Utah has heard that there is a housing bubble, that the economy is slipping. Prices are sky high and even when there are four houses right within 50' no one seems to want to drop their price (There are actually 5 for sale signs on that street, each home right next to each other but you can't see the fifth because of the large boulders in the way, it is the house that is unfinished on the left).

We put in an offer on a home further West and North than we originally wanted to go. Everything was just too expensive or we felt that the compromise between what we want and what we could afford was just too great.

The great thing is that the home is older (not old) and is landscaped, there are mature trees, you know all the things that come with homes that are older. The house has plenty of room. Already our heads are spinning with the changes we want to make (remodel the kitchen, bathrooms, master bedroom, add cold storage, change the layout of the main living area, refinish the basement etc).

Wish us luck in finding a home!

Storm is a coming

Seems that everyone wants to see photos of nature, landscapes etc. I love people photos, I love playing with light. With a portrait if your light isn't good, you make your own light...

Landscapes, are a totally different subject. You can't tell the mountain tilt this way or smile! I can't use my strobes to light up the mountain when there is too much shadow or the light is too harsh. The best time (light wise) is early morning or late night. When I arrive at work it is dark and it regularly is dark when I leave. When it isn't then I want to hurry strait home to play with Clayton.

Well we have been house hunting a little. The light hasn't been the best but there has been some great weather to shoot.

You can see how far west we have been searching for homes. This shot was from a field, the shot is facing south. Look at the rain/clouds coming in!




Here is another shot facing east. Yep there are houses being built clear out near the lake. I think it is kinda of scary as you never know when that lake is going to rise again! I shot from another field and of course I had to crouch low to have the grass from the field hide the houses.

Clouds are so beautiful! Gotta love the blue sky after the storm. For those not from Utah, those mountains are the Wasatch mountain range. Salt Lake City runs right against those mountains.