This afternoon, I felt that familiar itch .. The kind that creeps in when the day gets a little too heavy, a little too loud. So, I grabbed my camera, switched it to black and white mode, and set out to find some calm within the chaos. No grand plans, no exotic locations—just the quiet corners of my own home, waiting to be seen in a new light.
I started with the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling! Those angles and lines we walk under every day without a second glance. In color, they’re just there, functional and forgettable. But strip away the hues, and suddenly the shadows dance. The way the light bends around a corner or pools in a recess—it’s mesmerizing.
I found myself tilting my head, adjusting the lens, chasing those subtle shifts that turn the mundane into something almost sculptural. Who knew a ceiling could feel so artistic? I didn’t, not until today. Or maybe I did once and let it slip away. Either way, seeing it in monochrome felt like a deep breath I didn’t know I needed.
Then there were the everyday things.. A steel scrubber laying in a mug resting on the counter, its small, sharp curves casting perfect arcs of shadow and reflection. A cluster of wine glasses and martini glasses, crisp, glassy edges, sitting quietly in their spots. Also a crumpled up paper napkin, a grouping of bananas, art and reflections of art, And a few other things that are either easily recognizable or a bit of a trick for you (The Viewer) to figure out.
These little still-lifes felt like old friends.. Unassuming but full of character when you really look. The absence of color made them louder somehow—simpler, yet deeper.
Of course, I wasn’t alone in this.. My four-legged shadow, Huxley, decided my solo mission needed supervision. He padded along, nose nudging my leg, eyes gleaming in that way that says, “Hey, don’t forget me.” So, I didn’t. I framed him in a few shots .. His silhouette against the back window, perky and curios. He’s a natural, really, even if he doesn’t know it. His presence added a warmth to the starkness, a reminder that life doesn’t stay still, even in black and white.
This little adventure didn’t fix the world or erase the stress entirely .. But it softened it. It’s funny how a camera, a dog, and a fresh perspective can turn an ordinary afternoon into something worth keeping. Maybe I’ll print one of these and hang it up ..
