Dear Steve,
I was thankful for the Daily Inspiration #350 photos of Marko Hehl. He made nice use of the Olympus Grainy Film mode which I believe is more than just a fancy effect for a digital camera. The Olympus grainy film mode is like having a roll of Neopan 1600 or even Ilford 3200 at your fingertips and the “live view” allows you to carefully tune the exposure “in camera” to produce some amazing contrasts and textures and dream like effects with no lengthy post production.
For me B&W has a power, a dream like character, a simplicity, and grainy film mode in the Olympus is a rare tool for teaching a photographer the impact of light, shadow and texture.
On this note I have included three photos I took with my Olympus E-PL2 in the grainy film mode. These are all right out of camera and were shot with the simple basic 14-42mm kit lens. These shots are all closed down to 5.6 and above and feature “No Bokeh”.
I know we all get caught up in great lenses and bokeh and pixel peeping and I am just as guilty of this as anyone. But sometimes we need to step back and realize that some of the greatest B&W pics taken in the world, (think Salgado) the ones that have made history, gave no consideration to Bokeh or ultimate resolution. It was all composition, subject and the imagination and eye of the photographer to recognize subject potential and control the light, shadow and texture to bring impact to the photo.
Steven Norquist
Great work Steve. The fountain in the last shot almost looks like a Phoenix rising up out of the water. Truly artistic images.
Fantastic shots, I trully like these better than Stevie M9 Monochrom test shots.
Just goes to show, its not about cost!
Wow, Finally somebody on this forum who understands photography as an art form. Who cares what camera was used. Great Stuff.
Lovely pictures Steven, and I totally agree!
I use the 17mm on my dinosaur camera: E-P1 and this lens is not even capable of taking one decent picture if you believe the most reviewers. One guy even called it a “utter dog”. I’m very happy with the result, though. Well enough sharp for all purposes. The grainy b/w is a master with structure. I have a great photo book written by Bruce Barnbaum: “The art of photography” A lot of great pictures with absolutely no “bokeh”. A good composition leads the eye to new parts of the picture.
wise word indeed. Threre is no G.A.S here, that is an inspiration … 🙂
Great stuff! Composition and light is everything!
This is the kind of stuff worth to be called inspiration!
Look – No Bokeh! 🙂
Nice shots Steven.
Yes, I love this sort of graphic stuff- very nice! Nice compositions also- keep em comin!
MK
last shot is just amazing
Yes, I agree. The last is quite visually appealing.
Love the last shots, and your advice. Shoot on!
“It was all composition, subject and the imagination and eye of the photographer to recognize subject potential and control the light, shadow and texture to bring impact to the photo.”
AMEN to that!
Nice captures.
Jeffrey
+1
+1
Steve!!! great use of light, tone and contrast my friend!
This is great stuff. And you have written some wise words. Go one with this attitude.