Locked out? Or in? Image: Su Leslie
“Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.” —Robert Frank
In general, I think life can be better explained in terms of continua than dichotomies. Or to put it simply — it’s not so much black and white as shades of grey.
Even black and white photography is rarely, truly, black and white.
As someone who experiences periods of depression, I know the subtle on-going dance of hope and despair. The trick is learning to recognise and find expression for it.
Making photos helps; turning my focus outward and allowing me to shape new stories to tell — if only to myself.
The difference between hope and despair is a different way of telling stories from the same facts. — Alain de Botton
Weekly quotation-inspired image, hosted by Debbie at Travel with Intent
Zimmerbitch 
You have shared some beautiful black and white portraits today.
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Thank you 😀
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Nice to quote Frank. In law we also learn that things are never black and white, right or wrong, true or false. Everything is always subject to perspective, context, and time.
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Your shades of grey are and lovely Su.
Leslie
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How boring life would be if life were in full colour. Sort of like a glossy magazine. Not real. I love the stories in your photos, Su. Take care.
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Thanks Tracy. Apologies for not replying sooner. I seem to have missed all the comments on this post. 🤔
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I don’t keep count, Su. 🙂
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Beautiful.
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I live in grey. A coworker says she needs black and white to do her work. Oh, dear…..that is such a problem for us. Way too rigid for me. These are beautiful, Su.
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I’m with you. I drove my parents nuts as a kid always trying to argue the nuances of things they say in stark b&w.
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Photography is such a wonderful outlet for everything that is inside. ❤
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Agreed; it’s such an important part of how I cope with the world.
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Beautiful shots, as always. And beautiful thoughts on shades of gray. I am still learning to master them :-).
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Thank you. I’m kinda the opposite — learning that sometimes things can exist in, if not strict b&w, then a smaller palette of shades in between.
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You’ve packed a lot into this post, Su, in both words and photos. I’m sorry you suffer from depression but happy that your lovely photos bring you an outlet and such a wonderful means of expression and of telling stories. Nice to see you here and I love that last shot.
janet
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Janet, I apologise for not seeing this sooner. This whole post/comment stream seems to have disappeared for me. Thank you for you lovely comment.
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That’s fine, Su. I can’t remember every comment of made (as I try to comment on every post I visit), so I wasn’t sitting here wondering what had happened. 🙂
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Really!! I’m gutted 🤣🤣
I just hate to miss comments, as the dialogue is such a huge part of my blogging enjoyment.
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Just after I pressed “send”, I realized I missed my chance to say that I’d been waiting all this time, couldn’t eat of sleep because I hadn’t heard. I’m slow today!! 🙂
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🤣🤣🤣
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I like the conversation as well, which is why on Wordless Wednesday/Six Word Saturday/One Word Sunday, I always hope people don’t think that means them either not talking or limiting their words.
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I love each and every photo for different reasons.
And well done – simple post yet masterful –
and the way it all combined with the expounding on the quote – and you know – that quote did not sit right with me – and yesterday I weren’t back into my post and reworded it a bit because I did not want the second part of the quote to come across as my view – because I did not feel what Robert Frank felt – if that makes sense – so I actually rewrote the quote and left out the “to me” Part
and I mention that because reading your post showed me part of what Lilly was not sitting right – and thanks for this – because I think this was part of what I was feeling
“In general, I think life can be better explained in terms of continua than dichotomies. Or to put it simply — it’s not so much black and white as shades of grey.
Even black and white photography is rarely, truly, black and white.”
so true –
and then you went on to use hand picked photos to add to the whole idea –
gold star post….
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Thank you so much 🙏
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😊☀️
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Fabulous set of monos
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Very evocative. The power of monochrome versus colour… Monochrome puts the essentials in focus, colour adds vibrancy but sometimes distracts from the message. Beautiful photographs.
Lieve
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Thank you
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Su, you’re not alone in this. The chirpiest of us can still find it hard to face the day sometimes. Sorry about my frivolity over your faded rose. If I’d read this first I probably wouldn’t have responded that way. Still- you have to smile 🙂 🙂
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No worries Jo. 😀
I enjoyed the roses, and find them no less beautiful and joyful in decay.
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Life is full of shades of grey with sharp stripes of black and white. Yes, I love how photography makes us look outward too much inward gazing is scary 🙃
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Thanks Suzanne: I love your “sharp stripes” line — very true.
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Your photography is a delight Su, for you and for us. At a time when the world seems to be crashing in on itself we need to look for the positives in life.
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Thank you so much Jude. I’m struck with how much crap there is at a macro level, but still so much goodwill and kindness experienced at a personal level.
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Beautiful images Sue. Strong images with a touch of sadness. Sorry to hear of the challenges with your health. I don’t think it is an easy road to travel on. Sending you strength, courage and lots of love from across the ditch.
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Thanks so much Aggie.
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These are all so beautiful photographs, I especially love your portraits, black and white, or rather shades of grey are just perfect for it! I also love that earring you’re wearing, and that ‘distracted’ look suits you. 😍
I wish we could all live without ever having to endure depressions but maybe there’s a part in us that actually needs it in order to appreciate fully when we’re not depressed? Or maybe that’s just rubbish. 😂
I had a small bout of it in the last two days too… but I think the worst is over. Sending you big hugs, dear friend! Xxxxxx
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I’m so sorry to hear you have been suffering lately. I hope the worst truly is over.
You make a very good point that those of us who do experience depression have a better appreciation of our good health too.
Sending you much aroha my friend. xxx
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❤ xxx
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I loved this post Su and I hope you are OK. You know I understand too.
There is something wonderful about B&W photos, and yours are just magical. I enjoy drawing in graphite occasionally because it makes me appreciate tones more than colour does.
x
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Thank you so much Darren. I’m doing ok at the moment. I have some good creative projects to work on, and that really helps — as you know.
I hope things are improving for you.
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Thanks for sharing these beautiful B&W photos !
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I’m so glad you like them.
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Thanks indeed, Su Leslie !!!
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Hi, would love for you to check out my blog and let me know what you think ☺️
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