Orchids are such beautiful flowers (even if they’re really tulips). Get up close and you’re likely to lose yourself inside.
I have no idea what color this flower was. I took this photo with B&W film (Kodak Plus X) way back in 1970 and rediscovered it last week. I’ve been going through all my old B&W negatives, scanning and cataloging all the good ones. I love B&W photography. Without distracting color, the tonality and forms take you to the real heart and soul of this solitary blossom.
I enjoy color photography too — especially macro photography of flowers. My old color slides are faded after all these years, but my B&W negatives are in fine shape and will be into the future.
My old Minolta film scanner gives me great results now that I have my work flow down pat. Shall I write an article (or two) describing how to get good results scanning B&W negatives? Sure, why not. I’ll get on it soon. Meanwhile…
When you use B&W film, then scan and edit the digital output you get the best of both worlds. Once upon a time, I had a complete wet darkroom with enlarger, tray, nasty chemicals, etc. I don’t miss that part one bit. I’d consider giving up B&W film if someone would produce a monochrome digital camera at an affordable price, but I’m not holding my breath.
I have a nice supply of Ilford film in the fridge and the hardware and software I need to make good B&W images from my photos. And my B&W negatives will outlive me. All digital B&W? Maybe someday.
Be sure to stop by Lisa’s Chaos and visit all the other links to some very creative macro monday photography. Thanks Lisa.
PS Thanks for pointing out that this flower is probably a tulip. Big duh for John.
You have an excellent eye for B&W photos!
Hi there,
This is lovely! It’s cool that you resurrected this from times long before digital. Great shot.
Not only before digital, this was taken with a Pentax Spotmatic that sported a screw mount lens and stop down metering.
I’ve always had an affinity for B&W photography. Now I can indulge my passions using top of the line film equipment knowing that my archival processed negatives will survive for many many years. And you don’t need a computer to read the files either.
What a great find! I totally need to scan in all my old negatives, but I doubt I have anything this gorgeous in mine!
It does make for a very interesting photo ….I need to scan my photos…but what a large task…Michelle
Very beautiful black and white shot. This flower looks more like a tulip to me than an orchid.
I would be interested in learning about your workflow.
Perhaps I had orchids on the brain? 39 years is a long time and I don’t remember the flower. All I have are my negative(s).
I’ll see what I can come up with for an article about my workflow this week. I have a notion to illustrate each step. I’ll try to have something posted by Wed or Thursday.
great musing on darkroom vs, digital darkroom I do prefer the digital darkroom myself. Your Orchid is lovely I as well cannot help but wonder tho what the color was……
It’s a lovely closeup but I can’t help but wonder if the flower is really a a lovely tulip opened wide. Whatever, it looks great in B&W!
The more I look at my so called orchid, the more I see tulip. Thanks for pointing this out. Maybe I should simply call this a flower instead. Hah!
Food for an article about naming things. Just naming something doesn’t reveal anything about the subject, just the name. A photo that explores a subject and tries to “know” some part of it’s soul doesn’t need names.
Put another way, our logical mind wants to name everything. Once named, it thinks it knows everything. Our design mind knows nothing of words because we think in images. Hmmmm…
Very nice! I’m still trying to figure out black and white, this is a great example of it!
Tulip, orchid – Beautiful! Amazing how the b&w film lasts so much better than the color!
Always some perfect post to fill our heart with good feelings!
Beautiful!
Léia
I just posted “How to Scan B&W Negatives: An Introduction.” It’s an illustrated tutorial that shows how I scan my own negs. Here’s the URL:
http://awarewriter.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/how-to-scan-bw-negatives-an-introduction/
I guessed for a tulip
Seems like you share a lot of knowledge here.
I dont know that much about photography to have some smart comment, but your macro is lovely. Its a shame you dont know the colour of it.
I also like black and withe photography, but I usualy shot in colour and them decide on transformation in b/w.. in case I change my mind later.
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Great image John – I remember working with B&W film while in University and while I love the versatility of digital I do miss the contemplative art of processing the film and then making the prints. You’re absolutely right about the simplicity and power of B&W. Wonderful photograph!
Thank you Dave.