Hope, despair and everything in between

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

Thoughtful. Image: Su Leslie

Making art brings joy to many.. Image: Su Leslie

Learning to draw. Image: Su Leslie

Beauty in decay. Image: Su Leslie

Distracted. Image: Su Leslie

Pensive. Image: Su Leslie

The fine detail. Image: Su Leslie

Joy. Image: Su Leslie

Abandoned church, Ruawai, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Weekly quotation-inspired image, hosted by Debbie at Travel with Intent

“In black and white you suggest …

“In black and white you suggest; in color you state. Much can be implied by suggestion, but statement demands certainty… absolute certainty.“ – Paul Outerbridge

Six Word Saturday

The dying of the light

Agapanthus. Image: Su Leslie 2019

With thanks of course to Dylan Thomas

Posted to Friday Flowers

Friday flowers; black and white edition

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

Wordless Wednesday

Friday flowers: the moody black & white edition

Seven Day Black and White Photo Challenge (street photography) — in colour

Click on any of the images to enlarge

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Same style, same obsession. Terminal, Munich Airport. Su Leslie 2015

Day Four: (shot in b&w)

Day Five

Evening stroll, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Day Six

Street art: painting with light. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Day Seven

Image: Su Leslie 2018

My friend Sarah at Art Expedition hosted this variation on the Seven Day B&W Challenge — asking that the image include people.

The rules are:

• Thank the person who has nominated/tagged you and provide a link to their blog.

•  Go out and take pictures of complete strangers for 7 days in a row and post one of them each day of the challenge (you can also post 7 photos in one post if you´re more comfortable with this).

• The photos should be in b/w.

• Nominate as many people as you like

If you haven’t visited Sarah’s blog to see her Berlin street photography, please do.

Earth to mothership

Image: Su Leslie 2018

Seven Day B&W Challenge — Street Photography: Day Seven

My friend Sarah at Art Expedition is hosting a variation on the Seven Day B&W Challenge — this time the image must include people.

The rules are:

• Thank the person who has nominated/tagged you and provide a link to their blog.

•  Go out and take pictures of complete strangers for 7 days in a row and post one of them each day of the challenge (you can also post 7 photos in one post if you´re more comfortable with this).

• The photos should be in b/w.

• Nominate as many people as you like

I haven’t managed to get out shooting as much as I’d like, so this challenge has taken  way longer than expected, but it is definitely worth doing.

As always, I’m not a fan of individual nominations, but invite everyone to take part in this if you can fit it in your blogging schedule.

And don’t forget to visit Sarah’s blog and see her Berlin street photography.

Faces in the dark

Street art: painting with light. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Seven Day B&W Challenge — Street Photography: Day Six

My friend Sarah at Art Expedition is hosting a variation on the Seven Day B&W Challenge — this time the image must include people.

The rules are:

• Thank the person who has nominated/tagged you and provide a link to their blog.

•  Go out and take pictures of complete strangers for 7 days in a row and post one of them each day of the challenge (you can also post 7 photos in one post if you´re more comfortable with this).

• The photos should be in b/w.

• Nominate as many people as you like

I haven’t managed to get out shooting as much as I’d like, so this challenge has taken  way longer than expected, but it is definitely worth doing.

As always, I’m not a fan of individual nominations, but invite everyone to take part in this if you can fit it in your blogging schedule.

And don’t forget to visit Sarah’s blog and see her Berlin street photography.

Stepping out

Evening stroll, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Seven Day B&W Challenge — Street Photography: Day Five

My friend Sarah at Art Expedition is hosting a variation on the Seven Day B&W Challenge — this time the image must include people.

The rules are:

• Thank the person who has nominated/tagged you and provide a link to their blog.

•  Go out and take pictures of complete strangers for 7 days in a row and post one of them each day of the challenge (you can also post 7 photos in one post if you´re more comfortable with this).

• The photos should be in b/w.

• Nominate as many people as you like

As always, I’m not a fan of individual nominations, but invite everyone to take part in this if you can fit it in your blogging schedule.

And don’t forget to visit Sarah’s blog and see her Berlin street photography.