Black and White

Summary:

Location: DUMBO

Conditions: Winter, Midday, Overcast

Good News: We were able to use black and white to our advantage by focusing on textures, even with low light. Also, we were rewarded for being creative with angles.

Problems Faced: We did not check the forecast, so we had to finish early due to rain. We also did not dress appropriately for the cold.

Possible Solutions: ALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER.

Best Photo: It was a hard decision, but I think the best photo was the one of my friend, Alex. It was shot through a hole in a street sign, which gave it a natural vignette. It just feels like a glimpse of the past to me, so it’s my favorite shot.

Worst Photo: As in the previous challenge, my worst photos are the ones with the most unrealized potential. Here, I could have utilized the contrast between the darkness of the arch with the sky. If the side of the arch was kept vertical, I could have split the shot in half. (This could be done in post, but I think the best shots are framed at the time of the picture.

Story, Settings, and Shots:

It was a miserable day to shoot. It was cold, wet, and even cloudier than the last challenge. However, there were some advantages. The rain that remained on the ground was an opportunity; reflections make unique frames. Also, the cold meant there were fewer people to clutter shots. We decided to take pictures as quickly as possible to avoid the rain. We began at the base of the Manhattan Bridge. As with all street photography, we kept our cameras in shutter priority mode. Also, we were able to bump up our ISOs, since, with black and white, graininess isn’t a problem, it’s a feature. The stone sides and graffiti offered some interesting views, so we experimented with different angles. Well… we tried. For me, every good shot comes with ten bad or mediocre photos. In some areas, there was such a stark contrast that it was difficult getting the right exposure, so we had to mess with our settings quite often. Here are some shots from the day.

We walked down the length of the Manhattan Bridge to the archway plaza, which offered cobblestone (to be precise, sett stone) streets, and a beautiful arch. Here are some of the best pictures we took during the day.

Best Photos

Let’s start from the top left and go clockwise. As I mentioned before, the picture of Alex is my favorite. I took this through the hole of a “No Parking” sign, and it created a physical “vignette” around him. It felt very old. I could have cropped it, but I always post my pictures without editing. The next photo is interesting to me because it captured much of the side detail of the Manhattan bridge, and the signage encapsulates the busy nature of the city. Finally, there’s the reflection in the puddle. The texture of the cobblestone, the impermanence of the reflection, and the framing of our feet made for a unique shot. I should have some critical analysis to give, but in all honesty, I just think it’s cool, and I can’t put my finger on why. Alright, you saw the good, now here’s the bad. Here are my worst shots of the day.

Worst Photos

Going clockwise, the first picture is a mediocre one. Like the best photo, I took it through a hole in a “No Parking” sign. I should have waited for an interesting moment, like a kiss, or an embrace, which would have made for a worthwhile picture. The second picture had potential. This picture was taken looking up from beneath the Manhattan Bridge, and it had interesting geometry and lighting. If it was a sunnier day, we would have gotten a better exposure. The third picture, going clockwise, was another reflection of me in a puddle. I should have framed myself within a cobblestone, but I didn’t spend enough time trying it. I didn’t think it was worth it, but after reviewing the photos, it was apparent that an opportunity was missed. Finally, the last photo was mentioned at the top of this article. I could have split the shot, contrasting the darkness of the arch with the brightness of the sky and the bridge. I’ll keep these mistakes in mind for next time.

Final Thoughts

Always check the weather.
Spend more time getting the right angle. Patience is key.
That being said, working to find shots usually pays off.
Keep framing and texture in mind.
The daytime sky always provides contrast.