Past Imperfect

Saturday, June 23, 2007

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS

Aside

In the eighties I was sending articles to magazines and took black and white photos to illustrate them. There weren’t many colour photographs then and I thought there would be more chance of them being published with black and white photos. I knew nothing of photography, behind the camera, so was pretty lucky to get some of them published. Since my first visit, in the seventies I have had a love affair with the Isles of Greece. When I visited Delphi it seemed like the centre of the universe and my spiritual home.

To anyone who knows Greece it probably seems sacrilegious not to use colour. The light and colour in Greece is heart stoppingly beautiful but I think these do still portray the Greece that I know and love.

The isles of Greece, the isles of Greece!
Where burning Sappho loved and sung.

Lord Byron (1788-1824)

20 comments:

Bernie said...: The photos are fantastic (as always with you)...
Greece is a place that I think I might like to go, perhaps one day.
Here from Michele's this evening...
Bernie; 9:51 AM
Pat said...: thank you Bernie. If you get the chance do go to Greece, it's special. Re your earlier queries - i think it is acanthus spinosus - because it's spiny. And we did visit the Botanic gardens but it was about 14 years ago - when our grand-daughter was a baby - she's taller than me now.; 10:50 AM
Prego said...: before our first son was born i kept trying to convince my wife that it'd be cool to have nothing but b & w pics of him, to hark back to the era before colour photography. she nixed the idea. i still have albums full of the b & w photos. they are my favourites.

nice pics.

p

here via michele today.; 12:52 PM
Pat said...: Welcome Prego! I think black and white are more dramatic.; 1:35 PM
Paul Nichols said...: Hi. Greece is on my list of "Places to visit while my legs are still strong enough to get me there."

Here from Michele's today.; 3:00 PM
OldLady Of The Hills said...: I left a comment on that bottom picture, but just wanted to say herem too...I think these pictures are MARVELOUS! I love B&W...!; 3:04 PM
Pat said...: Hi Paul! You're not going to walk there, are you?:); 3:26 PM
FOUR DINNERS said...: S'all Greek t'me

Like B&W pics. Seem to remind me of gentler times.; 4:22 PM
Pat said...: 4d: if you haven't been - you would really love it.; 4:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Was that a photo of you I saw in the "Daily Mail" yesterday (June 22) on page 57?

Looks like it could be "Bubbles" from The Belles of St Trinians. Didn't know you smoked then!; 5:10 PM
Anonymous said...: I remember when most publications used only black and white photos. I've recently sold a few photos to our local paper. I don't know much about the tech side of photography, but I think a good eye and being in the right place is most important.

Don't you ever just wonder what Michele looks like? She sent me.; 5:22 PM
Jean-Luc Picard said...: B&W pictures add a starkness and definition to a picture.

Michele sent me.; 6:58 PM
Anonymous said...: I do like B&W photos.

Thanks for wisiting me. Namaste from me too..:); 7:05 PM
neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...: Your black and white pics. capture mood and romance and drama. Makes me want to see a good ol' fashioned romantic movie. sigh.; 7:58 PM
Annie said...: These photos are truly striking. Perhaps all the better for being black and white. Thank you so much for sharing them.

Here via Michele today.; 8:36 PM
OldHorsetailSnake said...: Why can't I figure out where the photos are? Boo hoo.; 9:52 PM
Around My Kitchen Table said...: Great pictures. What is it about black and white that they are so much more artistic?; 9:53 PM
Pat said...: Keith:it probably wasn't me bur I did smoke until 1977. I'll see if I can get a copy and let you know.

Colleen: well done! Yes I'd love to see Michele's face.

jean-luc: that is so true.

Welcome Gautami!

Me too GG! Did you ever see 'Dark Victory'with Bette Davis?

annie: pleasure!

Sorry Hoss! Did I not make it clear? They are all taken on Paxos which is a Greek island north of Corfu.

amkt: I think they focus the mind more.; 11:20 PM
rashbre said...: Interesting humour and good use of strong lines and contrast.; 4:32 PM
Pat said...: Thanks Rashbre! If only i could find my photo of Delphi:(; 6:42 PM