Saturday, March 9, 2013

Black and White Photo Challenge

I’m taking part in Donna’s photo challenge this month.

I live in a part of the country that is very colorful so taking black and white photos is a real challenge.

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I think barns look very neat taken in B & W.

Here I used Picassa to take the B & W and put a pencil sketch effect on it. I think it brings out the details!

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These were taken at  Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek, Florida.

Have you ever read the book, Cross Creek or watched the movie?

This is the front porch where she wrote.

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I took this one with a regular color setting and then took it to PicMonkey and used the focal B & W setting to just leave color on the vase of flowers. I thought it was a neat effect.

Here’s the one with color. (it almost looks like Sepia, doesn’t it?)

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I took all of these photos with my little Nikon P 50.

To take B & W on this camera, Go to Manual Mode on top dial, Click Menu, Click Optimize Image and Click Black & White. You’re ready to snap photos!

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Please join us at A Personal Photo Challenge HERE.

39 comments:

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Fantastic photos. I will have to try and experiment a bit when I take photos or what I really need to do is take a class. VBG I have not read the book Cross Creek I will have to look it up. Hugs Judy

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Love your photos!! Great choice for the B&W effect!!

Donna said...

Hey, you did great! Buildings are always good candidates for B&W treatment. I like both version of the barn, and the use of the pencil sketch mode on the 2nd one was a neat idea!

And I wondered if anyone was going have a touch of color in their B&W - so thank you so much for demonstrating that technique. You know, your B&W version now tells a different story! One can imagine sitting there and gazing up at the beautiful vases flowers while pondering the next few words that will be captured by the typewriter. That was very creative to think of that - take a curtsy!

And yes, I've read the book and watched the movie. Both were very sweet.

Primitive Stars said...

Morning, enjoyed the pictures, gotta love the black and whites.....Blessings Francine.

Chatty Crone said...

I love the black and whites - sure changes the look. sandie

Susie said...

I for one love black and white photos. Yours are wonderful. Now I want to do that. xoxo,Susie

Vintage Gal said...

Diane ~ your photos are fantastic. Love them. I have always loved pictures of barns in black and white ~

Vee said...

Wonderful, Diane! I'm so impressed with all of these photos. Thank you for sharing the Cross Creek Connection, too. Love it!

Pamela Gordon said...

These are really great shots Diane. I love any barn and they can usually do great in black and white with their old weathered boards. The table vignette is beautiful and I like that you left the vase and flowers coloured. Nicely done!!

Sunny Simple Life said...

I love black and white. I never think to switch my camera over to it but really should. That is a glorious old barn.

Finding Pam said...

Your subject matter, barns, is so interesting. I loved the table setting with the colored vase. You did an awesome job.

Susan said...

Love the photo with only the vase in color--I'm going to have to try that. Glad you liked the apron, Sis...it certainly chose the right recipient, XOXO

Hillcresthome Prims said...

I love old barns, and having the photo in black and white is awesome!
I also love your vase with the beautiful colored flower's.
Have a wonderful day.
Hugs friend,
Tricia

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Diane,

These photos are absolutely delightful-love the flowers against the black and white and oh the barn love the barn! Great photography!
-Hugs!
Jemma

Donna said...

Oh, I love them All! I can just envision all the typing going on at that table...what a wonderful shot!
You did Great!
Happy Weekend!
hughugs

Unknown said...

I Diane glad to see you here. This is my first time to link up. A new place to learn. Love your barn and yes, per your previous post, there is an art show in our town this entire week. Going to see "Fiddler on the Roof" by our Community Theater Sunday evening. Blessings
QMM

maddyrose said...

Fantastic photos Diane. The ones of the barn are my favorites but the one with the vase on the table is a close second.

Jeanne said...

I love the pencil sketch effect and the colored vase in the B&W shot. Very clever.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Diane I really enjoyed these photos! I love back and white and should shoot in it more often. The one with just the pink flowers is very cool.

hugs, Linda

Christine said...

My what wonderful pictures! Love the way you can play about with them - they're great!

NanaDiana said...

Diane- Those are all gorgeous pictures. I really like the play of shadow and light with the black and white photos- xo Diana

Brenda said...

I'm crazy for old barns and buildings and the history in the second shot is great. You've edited them beautifully.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I love old barns...

GREAT picture with just the vast in color, love it!!!

and what a great writing spot, huh?

sandy said...

Your photos are amazing! I love the effects! I'm going to have to try this! Have a great weekend!

My Maine Blog said...

What beautiful photographs and I love the barn and the effect that you used. It's amazing what one little effect can do to enhance a photo. I love old barns and this one has so much character. Absolutely stunning!!!!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Your photos are fantastic! :D The barn photos look great in black and white! They should be matted, framed, and hanging on your wall.

xo,
RJ

podso said...

What a beautiful photo of the barn! I see what you mean about the slight touch of pencil sketch. It's amazing what more you see in a photo when you start to work with it in various modes!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Diane,

Love the black and white photographs and such a pretty idea, leaving the flowers in the vase, pink.
Hope you are enjoying the weekend

hugs
Carolyn

Ann said...

I like both of your pictures. Love the pencil sketch effect you used. It really does bring out the lines in the barn.
I've never read Cross Creek but I would love to hang out on the front porch

Leave It To Davis said...

I love Picasa....I love to doodle around on pictures with their tools. I don't usually leave them that way, but it's fun to experiment. I love the black and white with the focal point on the flowers. Very classy.

Anonymous said...

beautiful photos, you are really talented!

Unknown said...

These photos are just lovely! I have a love for B&W more than anything!

Hugs,

Diane Writes said...

Hi there namemate! I would love to see the place. The place relates a lot of great stories to tell. I can feel everything in the pictures, what more in actual person.

Wishing you a great week ahead!

ClickNCamera said...

I really really love the barn photo! I'm impressed with the PicMonkey examples/effects and will check that out, thanks for sharing...Enjoy your day!

MandaBurms FarmStay for Cats. said...

Squeal - the barn shots are amazing. Thank you for sharing how you have done it all - I'm just soo new at all this.
Love Leanne

PS real jazzy having B&W photo and the flowers in colour.

Mevely317 said...

Diane, these images are wonderful! Not sure why, but I'm particularly drawn to B/W photography. Hard to explain, but they provoke me to look, look more closely again ... as if to listen to their stories.

Have a great new week!

Custom Comforts said...

What lovely photos you have taken and altered. Each one is beautiful in its own unique way. I did see the movie Cross Creek - but a very, very long time ago and hardly remember what it was about. I may have to check it out again.
Cindy

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I just LOVE this post. You taught me how to do photos in B&W, reminded me that I'd been meaning to read Cross Creek, told me about a new State Park to visit. Plus your photos are beautiful to look at.

I am SO glad I came to visit. Thanks for having me ;>)!!!

Susanne said...

Nice pictures - I do like how the b&w enhances it.