Peter J. Crowley

Fine Art Photographer

Black & White and Me Changing Philosophy of Seeing 50 Years On.

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Spare change? Chip in on my paypal link.  Posting these stories is very time consuming. Or by mail, my address is on the contact page.

All the moneys gone no where to go.. I will keep delivering that magic feeling

Thank you peace

When I was 1 -2 years into creating Photographic Art, 1973. I had developed a style that included rigid composition, technique and presentation. No cropping, Walker Evans print quality, Focus a must.  This image from the late 90’s never made it to the darkroom. Perhaps a cursory glance as I looked at the film. Nope to flawed.

Now as I look again at old images todays sensibilities see a moment on this afternoon in #Willimantic. Recently I I saw a portfolio of

Romualdas Rakauskas Lithuanian master Black and White photographer.

An online photographic artist friend told me about his passing. A master has helped me to see deeper.

Out takes from sessions where the subject and me could not reach an understanding of what I wanted. This image from a test for my Woodnymph series. Not what I wanted but alright as a stand alone

My live long friend, Ken Morgan both of us artists from back to the 1970’s in Coventry Ct

Poised this thought. “how or why things get so clear so late in the game or is is it just me? …..another possibility “

I told Ken that it was pretty clear. Simplicity, seeing as a child so much peace and life to view and explore.

Willimantic 1999 the eyes all the metaphors apply. I like open conversational eyes windows to the soul.

Moments brief lasting forever. I have so many to relive, some to share conversational images that rarely receive a verbal response maybe the eyes speak, but no words to me.

To keep the focus is on seeking the highlights of my life is what keeps me alive. I also see the shadows as an effort to celebrate the highlights keeping negative space in composition not dark thought.Saturday, 9/25 a self portrait One more recent image before I head back out the door. 

Peace my friends 

 

Elma Washington a Summer Afternoon

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A trip to another Mill town. Walking new streets I have seen before.

This one being a Lumber Mill. Two towns actually Elma and McCleary. This on the road out of Elma but I found more compelling images in Elma. 

Reflections of days gone by suit my seeing.  Stories seen in the layers of downtown. In both towns tales of boom and bust told by residential homes sections that were built at the boom time all very similar. Then another group built 10-20 years later. 

Downtown repurposed store fronts some with false fronts like a western movie. But here it is life past and present. Thrift shops pot shops and wood pellets. Friendly people 90% wore masks and greeted us as we strolled through town. 

Eloquent detailed mosaic speaks of better times. 

Peace can be found among the Goldenrod’s, the sun and the breeze. Breathing well Nikon in hand strolling. Seeing  a blend of  memories, emotion a moment happens when I depress the shutter. The moment, the emotion is complete to share with you. 

The Bank of Elma sits waiting for the next boom, restoration life. Many moments this day present, past,  joyous, sad woven into humanity.

Seek the highlight as I do but also see the shadows without which there would be no highlight. 

peace

 

The Daily, November 8th Taccoma

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DSC_0151 Ss15 Shd+High LgtShadow 20 Drk High 4 Tacoma Stairs11-7-150A day in Tacoma with Roger. Dodging rain drops with historic conversation Roger grew up in the area and knew much of the City’s history. Yesterday was the 75 anniversary of  the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse. The bridge in use now is behind these stairs. I like the stairs better. As I continue to shoot Diggie I fight with the speed of process and the apparent need to add new “content” daily. I don’t do “content” I make images, art. A rant in the future on nomenclature. For now as I prepped this image here I think B+W maybe a better image. Ponder or post back to PS see image in B+W? Like the red stone though. Ponder or post? Post.   ponder later pretty monochromatic image though   enjoy pjc

Photographic Art       Another Design image B+W but with a warm tone added.