On a recent trip up to Point Reyes National Seashore, we took one of the short hikes. We walked by these white trees (maybe Birch?) with the dark background and I thought about Ansel Adams. Both Ray and I took several pictures; this was my favorite, and it was shot by my wife with her Apple phone.

I’ve always liked this black and white picture of a large tree in Yosemite Valley. Funny how time moves on; you move houses and sometimes negatives get lost. I truly wish I had the original negative for this picture; scanners are so much better today than they were 20 years ago. I think it is still a great picture, but I wish I could start over with it.

This is a picture I took of Half Dome around 30 years ago. I really enjoyed this as a color picture. Then I thought I would try it as a black and white. The storm seemed to pop off the photograph. I don’t change many pictures from color to black and white, but this is one where monochrome made a big difference.

This picture was shot back in 1973. I always loved the thoughtful expression on Ray’s face, but for some reason the black and white never did justice to the picture. So around 2010 I changed it to Pen and Ink on Photoshop. I think the Pen and Ink really draws out the thoughtfulness of her expression. I also think the composition is very well spaced. At the time, I didn’t think about the composition, but as I look at it now, I’m glad she wasn’t in the middle of the picture.

This is a picture that started in color and showed great contrast of light tones, blue eyes and red. As a Black and White it focuses more on the face with her beautiful smile, complexion, eyes, eyebrows and nose. It’s a perfect arrangement. The black and white allows her smile and eyes to jump to the forefront. Black and white can be difficult with picture because of shadows and lines. Oh and yes the hair falls to the back third of the composition.