The lost art…Black and White Film Photography

I was sitting at my computer last night looking at my digital photography portfolio and missing the days in the darkroom.  The anticipation that I would feel while sitting in complete darkness, rolling my film, and waiting for the magic to happen.  As I would be developing my film, my heart would start to race and I just couldn’t wait to see what I had captured.  The darkroom was always peaceful and was an escape from what was happening in the world.  

There is such beauty, sophistication, and intrigue in a black and white photograph.  The balance of white and black and all the greys in between. 

While digital cameras have allowed everyone to become a photographer, which is a beautiful thing, however, I miss the art of black and white film photography.  Photographers like Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Sally Mann, just to name a few.  They knew how to truly ‘paint with light’.  If they didn't capture that image on the film, there was no magic wand that they could use in the darkroom to change that image.  Of course, there are darkroom tricks to create the perfect image, but the perfection of the photograph started with the photographer understanding their camera, the film, the light and the subject.    

Having had the opportunity to travel in Southeast Asia, there was such beauty in the everyday.  I also loved mixing the beauty of Hawaii with my passion for dance.  Below are just a few of my photographs.  (These are scans of the original prints)

Best,
 
MJ