However simple it seems, things are rarely ever just black and white. But in this case.. This photo.. It is. It is simply just black and white. haha, all joking aside, I was haven't shared any photography lately and thought it was time to do so. I was on the hunt for a simple black and white shot that told a story in a simple way. Did this one fit the bill?
Any we were sitting outside, on the back patio, with a few friends. There was only a tiny bit of light movement in the air, so the sounds of the entire neighborhood made it to my ears. I heard the sounds of laughter and a dog barking. The noises were drifting without delay, across the lake and through the trees that border it.
I also remember listening to the sounds of the fall crickets, who have made their return to the vocal world. They are out and chirping because they know that autumns first frost is quickly approaching. They will soon be heading for cover to escape the cold, and their sound will be gone for another year.
We had shared a few laughs and indulged in great conversation, adding to the noises in close proximity. But I couldn't help it, I was beginning to focus on those crickets and the occasional throaty "Ribbit" of tree frogs; And they were putting me into a peaceful trance.. I was almost asleep.
Hahahaha.. Maybe that was more the case. lol. Speaking of wine, the wine glass was the subject of my focus for this shot. Below is the original, colorized shot. As you can see the wine is gone, and all that remains are the traces of oily fingers. I can't remember exactly what we were munching on, but it had to be oilier than I would have expected. It's all over the glass!
The fingerprints added the best element to the piece.. At least in my opinion. They added a frosty look to the glass, that I couldn't of otherwise achieved without some major editing. I do end up editing this shot, but just slightly.
The orb, just above the top of the rim, is annoying me. It is quite distracting, so I make the decision to edit it out. As I am, I take care of a few other items that are distracting my eyes from the glass and the flames. But first I warmed the scene slightly by enriching those warm tones lost as the light was tricking the lens into overcorrection.
I also made a few adjustments to the overall exposure.
Its great right now, but I was looking for a black and white. I can almost eliminate the color in my mind, but I have to see it first hand.
I personally love the composition of the whole shot. It's simple, yet one can feel the warmth of the fire, the length of the night, and maybe some of that laughter or sleepiness. Maybe not all of them at one time, but each on their own.
One of my favorite parts of this photo is the fingerprint smudges that cast an element of frostiness to the glass.
The way the glass acts as a lens of its own.. bringing those flames on the other side, into focus, while the ones to the right remain blurred.
“The dog’s agenda is simple, fathomable, overt: I want. “I want to go out, come in, eat something, lie here, play with that, kiss you. There are no ulterior motives with a dog, no mind games, no second-guessing, no complicated negotiations or bargains, and no guilt trips or grudges if a request is denied.”
― Caroline Knapp
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