The best thing about challenges is when you think to yourself, “I can’t do that”. And then you discover that you can! I owe big thanks to Jake of Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post this week for his theme of Black & White.
Now you know I like to hum along, and black and white to me immediately conjurs up those lovely old Fred and Ging movies. In the wink of an eye I was singing “Heaven, I’m in heaven”…. Even worse, I was twirling around the kitchen!
Yes, I know- but what about the challenge? I was thinking that I might share some “cheek to cheek” wedding photos, as they’re the only thing I have in black and white. But I’ve already written that post and wanted to be more original. Nothing else for it but to “gingerly” embrace technology. And I was amazed!
Looking down on Funchal from the castle
Porto Moniz
Punta de Sao Lourenco
Monte Palace gardens
The photos are of Madeira because I felt they had that slightly decadent, “of another era” air to them. I could just picture Fred and Ginger tapping their way through those gardens. Couldn’t you?
These are the product of an afternoon’s playing with Photo Express and I love it! I had no idea this was possible, but Jake motivated me to try. So thanks Jake, for your time and your patience, and all the encouragement. Click on the dragon logo, or the links, to fly away with Jake, and all will be explained.
restlessjo 
These are fabulous, Jo! My favorite is the Punta de Sao Lourenco shot. There is just something about b&w seascapes. Lovely.
Ps: I’ve added some color shots in my post from last week: http://tahira007.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/sunday-post-black-white/
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Thanks Tahira. Your photos are just as I pictured them so thanks for that. My next challenge is to turn black and white photos into colour!
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These look stunning in B&W Jo! The gateway in the last shot seems so Asian, is that a Japanese garden?
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Yes, the red pillars were really striking, Madhu. It’s part of the Monte Palace gardens which are varied and fabulous.
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Stunning images… love them… 🙂
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It’s a very beautiful island but I’d never seen it in B & W before. Thanks Bams!
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Forgot to mention…Jerez is part of the trip too 🙂 How much time do you spend in Algarve?
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Not enough is always the answer, Paula. Dad’s 84 and we have an errant son who’s still, sort of, in Uni. The dream is to retire there but it’s still only a dream.
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Do you still work?
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Only writing gigs, when I can get them. Incidentally, Madeira was a 60th birthday present to myself a few years ago.
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🙂 How long were you there? It is important to give oneself gifts….. 🙂
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Just a week. I have a November birthday and sunshine is in short supply in this part of the world about then. Rained in Madeira too but SO pretty.
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Oh I hate that when I escape from rain, just to find rain again… when in November is your b-day. Is my curiosity annoying…or not yet? 😀
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Guy Fawkes, and no, but I’m checking out now as I want to work on a post. Catch you next time.
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Love your Madeira Johanna 🙂 though I expect to find some colours when I visit there ;). We have been both playing and having a blast with post processing this week… how cool is that. You should be happy with your results!
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Oh you will, Paula. It’s one stunning island top to bottom. You going soon? Thanks!
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Not that soon… but I am dreaming… Andalusia is next on my list for November :). What is your current address now?
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Home’s in the UK but I’m back in Portugal in a few weeks. Granada, Cordoba, Seville? They’re all beautiful.
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Yes, and a visit to the rock too :D, and some sherry winery I hope 😀 All of them plus Malaga, plus Marbella, all in 5 days – I will be pooped 😀
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Aah, but worth it. I plan to get down to Jerez one of these days. Starting in Porto this trip then flying to the Algarve- my second home.
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Aren’t you a lucky lady 😀 I am sure you deserve it 🙂
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Lucky and aged- that’s the key!
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Oh come on, I don’t see the aged part 😀
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These photos are wonderful! You get to use your imagination with black and white pictures, and that’s always a good thing… 🙂
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Thanks Meg. I should repeat that 2 of them are Mick’s (I think). We shared a camera back then. (2008BB- before blogging!) I enjoyed playing with them though.
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well done! the pics look great – I love playing with black and white – it can often turn an ordinary shot into some magical
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Thanks Aly! I still need technical backup- usually from Mick as you’re a busy lady these days. (when weren’t you?) Cheers!
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ah I’m never too busy to help you hun! xx
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Black and white gives your photos a sense of drama – great pics. Picassa is good for editing too…. 🙂
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Hi Suze! I loved these photos in colour, but it’s really interesting to see them in B & W. I’m going around looking at the world with different eyes now! Thanks.
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Good for you, experimenting like that and coming up with the goods. The last picture looks like a scene taken straight out of an old movie – a movie I’d like to see after seeing that picture!
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Thanks Lorna. I was just pleased and amazed that it worked so well!
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Great photos, I can definitely see Fred and Ginger in that last shot. I’ve always loved black and white photography and actually took half a dozen rolls of black and white film to Europe on my first trip over 10 years ago.
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Thanks Sam! Wow! I’m so ignorant, I wouldn’t even know if it’s possible to take photos in black and white any more, but I love the way it changes the mood.
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Not ignorant at all, digital cameras and photoshop have made it so easy to create black and white photographs that using a black and white ‘mode’ nowadays seems irrelevant. The effect that it has on the mood is quite magical, I particularly love high contrast black and white photography 🙂
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I’ve seen a few blogs using purely black and white and it does look great. I need to experiment more. Thanks again Sam.
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I particularly like the last one. It’s fun to imagine what the colors in the garden could be.
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I love that you even think like that, Margaret! I just see black and white and like the atmosphere. But then, I know what the colours were. Thanks for your visit and follow. Look forward to visiting you.
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Excellent work Johanna, well done for this week theme and Thanks for encouragement i love it 🙂
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You’re brilliant Jake. It was a pleasure learning this lesson.
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Great photos, Jo. It is interesting to me how viewing them in Black and White really creates a different mood.
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That’s what I loved about it, Naomi. Didn’t even know it was possible to do this till yesterday!
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well done jo, they look great!
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Thanks Christine. I was chuffed with them!
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Wonderful and creative way you handled the challenge. I love the way your photos turned out.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thanks, Francine. Now I’ve discovered what’s possible there’ll be even less time to blog!
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Beautiful entry! Black and white always impress me, I loved them dear Johanna, Thank you, have a nice day, love, nia
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Thanks Nia. I will thank my husband too!
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Amazing results. Jo. Love your photos. 🙂
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Gives them real atmosphere, doesn’t it? They’re from a holiday in 2008 and I think my husband may have taken a couple of them. We used to fight over the camera then.
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Aren’t you glad your tried this? What fun. I really like that last one.
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Thanks Lynne! It’s my favourite challenge of the moment. A wonderful learning curb.
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