"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Last week I spent two mornings photographing a few of the iconic monuments in Washington, D.C. My timing was rather interesting. Gazing at the likenesses of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., one sees how far our country has come in terms freedom, equality and race relations. Sadly, the disturbing recent events in Ferguson, Missouri highlight how far we still have to go. As these contradictions swirled through my mind, I decided to present my Washington, D.C. photographs in black and white.
When we hear the term "black and white" we think of opposites. If someone thinks in a "black and white" manner, they are unable to appreciate context and subtlety. To me, "black and white" photography is somewhat of a misnomer. Often what makes these images interesting or dramatic is the the gradations of gray between the two extremes of black and white.
These photographs are dedicated to all Americans who continue to struggle for freedom, dignity and equality.
%2B-%2BOO%2BB%26W%2B%26%2BBig%2BSofty%2BVig%2B%26%2BPS%2BEd%2B-%2BHDR%2B-%2BIMG_2020.jpg) |
%2BOO%2BHDR%2BTonal%2BContrast%2B%26%2BB%26W%2BDram%2BLight%2BCombine%2BLayers%2B-%2B%2BIMG_1748%2B.jpg)
%2BRaw%2BConv%2B%26%2BOO%2BB%26W%2BDram%2BLight%2B%26%2BPS%2BEd%2B%26%2BOO%2BVig%2B2%2B-%2BJPEG%2B-%2BIMG_2263.jpg)
%2B-%2BOO%2BB%26W%2B-%2BFlatiron%2B-%2BJPEG%2B-%2BIMG_2281.jpg)
%2B-%2BOO%2B-%2BB%26W%2B-%2BMod%2BVint%2B-%2BJPEG%2B-%2BIMG_2127.jpg)
%2B-%2BOO%2BB%26W%2B-%2BRuth%2B-%2BIMG_2230.jpg)
%2B%3D%2BOO%2BB%26W%2B-%2BMod%2BStr%2B%26%2BPS%2BEd%2B-%2BJPEG%2B-%2BIMG_2050.jpg)
%2B-%2BOO%2B-%2BB%26W%2B-%2BLord%2BAlf%2B-%2BJPEG%2B-%2BIMG_2257.jpg)
%2B-%2BOO%2BB%26W%2B-%2BRuth%2B-%2BJPEG%2B-%2BIMG_1864.jpg)
%2BOO%2BHDR%2BB%26W%2B-JPEG%2B-%2B%2BIMG_2142.jpg)
%2B-%2BOO%2B-%2BB%26W%2B-%2BCal%2B-IMG_2214.jpg)
%2B-%2BRaw%2BConversion%2B%26%2BOO%2BB%26W%2B-%2BHDR%2B%26%2BRuth%2B-%2BJPEG%2B-%2BIMG_1967%2B-%2BVersion%2B2.jpg)
As a resident of Washington, DC, I’ve seen A LOT of photographs of this fair city. These portraits capture the magic, mysticism and storied past and present of the capital with originality and impressive gravitas. Captivating and inspiring collection, Josh ~
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy. I really appreciate it.
DeleteWow, these pictures are wonderful! They do not need any explanation really. They are all so serene, and it works wonderfully with the way the light and the shadow falls.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your note and your nice feedback. Part of the serene feeling comes from the fact that I was there very early. For example, I arrived at the Lincoln Memorial at about 5:45 in the morning, well before the throngs of tourists. Its wonderful to have locations like that largely to yourself - Not just to photograph, but to appreciate their meaning and beauty.
Delete