What's (in) the Picture?

Chris Breebaart Photography – finding stories

Posts tagged ‘Black and white’

On Water

A scenic view of a canal on a warm summer day, featuring traffic jams with vehicles on a nearby bridge and boats navigating the water.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2025

On a warm Summer’s day, there are traffic jams on the canal.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version.

Cley Windmill

A black and white landscape image featuring Cley windmill in the distance, surrounded by grassy fields and a cloudy sky.
England, Cley next the sea – January 2025

This is the famous Cley windmill at Cley next the sea. It’s by far the best name for a coastal village. Interestingly, it actually does not have a sea front. The mill was owned by the family of James Blunt.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

(The) Doors Revisited

This week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #361 is ‘Doors revisited’. That theme was also the brief for LAPC #20. A door is a pass way to another space behind it. That space can be something we know already. Or something we like to imagine to see there when we go through. And in books you can end up in another world. In this post a few doors I met in my life. One I used for a long time, most I just passed by or passed through on holidays.

The word ‘doors’ for me is also linked to the band The Doors. The name of the band came from a book by Aldous Huxley, The doors of perception. And Huxley took it from William Blake, who used it as a metaphor:

If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern . Doors lead you to another side or space, break on through to the other side.

Break on through to the other side’ became the title of a Doors’ song.

So a lot can be said about doors. Luckily, we still have the photos. Here are a few from my conscious memory.

Close-up of a door handle and keyhole on a white door, featuring a circular knob and a round lock.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – November 1991

This is the front door to the house I was born and lived in for 25 years. The photo is shot on Ilford XP with a Pentax K1000.

A detailed close-up of a wooden door featuring a unique hand-shaped door knocker, showcasing an intricate design.
France, Caylus – September 2005

This door in Caylus is ready to be knocked. Shot on Nikon D70.

A small white chapel with a blue door and a cross on top, set against a mountainous landscape.
Greece, Karpathos – September 2009

I looked through my archive. It struck me that lots of the doors I saw there are doors of small or bigger churches. This one is on Karpathos. Shot on Nikon D70.

A black and white photograph of a double door with a simple design, partially open, situated beside a wooden chair against a white wall.
Greece, Karpathos – September 2009

Another church door on Karpathos, shot on Kodak TriX with Nikon F90.

A large, intricately designed wooden door with a reddish hue, set within a stone archway. Above the door, there is a circular painting of a figure, likely religious, surrounded by decorative elements.
Greece, Lesbos – August 2007

A chapel door in Lesbos, also shot on Nikon D70.

A detailed black and white photograph of a wooden door adorned with intricate carvings and a padlock, showcasing traditional architectural elements.
Nepal, Kathmandu – March 2004

Kathmandu, shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX.

Choices And Preferences 3 (Flowers)

I have a fondness for black and white aka monochrome. That grew on me. Mono was cheaper 50 years ago and more ‘easy’ to handle in a dark room. Monochrome gives something extra at times. The sphere, the grain. And over all these years I learned to see objects in monochrome, visualizing what something looks like in grays.

When I bought my first Nikon digital camera (the D70), I naively asked ‘where is the monochrome setting?’. It was not there. Shooting was color only. If I wanted mono I had to create it myself afterwards in Lightroom, Photoshop or an app like Snapseed. But lucky for me, on the iPhone and on the recent Nikon Zf, there are monochrome settings. To be honest, that was one of the reasons to buy a Zf. So now I have a choice: choose a mono or color setting, or turn color afterward turn it into mono.

I know the taste of my ‘audience’ is different than mine. In three days I like to find out more about your taste. What do you fancy more: a photo in mono or in color? 

This third and last one is about flowers, waiting for the recycle bin. The photo was shot in color.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Choices And Preferences 2 (Sky)

I have a fondness for black and white aka monochrome. That grew on me. Mono was cheaper 50 years ago and more ‘easy’ to handle in a dark room. Monochrome gives something extra at times. The sphere, the grain. And over all these years I learned to see objects in monochrome, visualizing what something looks like in grays.

When I bought my first Nikon digital camera (the D70), I naively asked ‘where is the monochrome setting?’. It was not there. Shooting was color only. If I wanted mono I had to create it myself afterwards in Lightroom, Photoshop or an app like Snapseed. But lucky for me, on the iPhone and on the recent Nikon Zf, there are monochrome settings. To be honest, that was one of the reasons to buy a Zf. So now I have a choice: choose a mono or color setting, or turn color afterward turn it into mono.

I know the taste of my ‘audience’ is different than mine. In three days I like to find out more about your taste. What do you fancy more: a photo in mono or in color? 

This second one is about sky. Always there, lots of it. In color it can be blue, white, gray, dark. In mono it delivers whites, grays and dark zones. In mono the image changes it seems. An abstract sky can turn into something mysterious. The photo was shot in color.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Choices And Preferences 1 (Cley next the sea)

I have a fondness for black and white aka monochrome. That grew on me. Mono was cheaper 50 years ago and more ‘easy’ to handle in a dark room. Monochrome gives something extra at times. The sphere, the grain. And over all these years I learned to see objects in monochrome, visualizing what something looks like in grays.

When I bought my first Nikon digital camera (the D70), I naively asked ‘where is the monochrome setting?’. It was not there. Shooting was color only. If I wanted mono I had to create it myself afterwards in Lightroom, Photoshop or an app like Snapseed. But lucky for me, on the iPhone and on the recent Nikon Zf, there are monochrome settings. To be honest, that was one of the reasons to buy a Zf. So now I have a choice: mono or color.

I know the taste of my ‘audience’ is different than mine. In three days I like to find out more about your taste. What do you fancy more: a photo in mono or in color?

This is the famous Cley windmill at Cley next the sea. It’s by far the best name for a coastal village. Interestingly, it actually does not have a sea front. The mill was owned by the family of James Blunt. The photo was shot in color.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Exploring Leiden’s Scenic Canals: A Summer Evening

The Netherlands, Leiden – July 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
A sunset over the Galgenwater in Leiden. A warm Summer night, with lots of boats cruising the canals. In the background the replica of the windmill of Rembrandt van Rijn’s father.

Archive Leiden

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Exploring Chaos in Photo Compositions

France, St. Samsom-sur-Rance – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
Long leading lines, nice shapes etc are pretty obvious to use when building a nice frame. But what about chaos? Can that be appealing too? A field with spiderwebs, wet by the fog. A photo from almost 30 years ago, taken in Brittany at St. Samsom-sur-Rance, near Dinan. To see it at its best, click the photo please.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta.
Click the picture for a bigger version

Low Tide

France, Le Conquet – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
The harbor of Le Conquet at low tide during sunset, as equestrians pass by. To say I was surprised when I spotted the horses, is an understatement.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta.
Click the picture for a bigger version

Let It Roll

France – Morbihan, Questembert – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
The dreamy field with freshly pressed straw rolls offers a nice challenge. It is an opportunity to create something that makes sense in images. The idea that they actually roll. Near Questembert in the Morbihan region of Brittany.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta.
Click the picture for a bigger version

Brouillard

France, St. Samsom-sur-Rance – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
A local railway track, disappearing in the fog. A photo from almost 30 years ago, taken in Brittany at St. Samsom-sur-Rance, near Dinan.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta.
Click the picture for a bigger version

Capturing Summer Mornings in Oegstgeest

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2025

Summer mornings can sometimes welcome you into a warm, joyful and laid back day. This is one of those days filled with ease. The sun also rises, each day, at more or less the same place. And when you catch it early, it is photographer’s gold.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Summer Morning

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2025

Sun shining through the trees on the start of another warm Summer day.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version,

Water Play

The Netherlands, Leiden – July 2025

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a wonderful clever piece of photographic technology. It is the ideal snap instrument, that is always in my pocket. The quality of the images is improved immensely over the years. And to be honest, I shoot most of my photos with it nowadays. Just because I always have my phone with me. What I still do not like is the quality of images when you use the zoom. This shot is on full zoom and the details disappear. Unfortunately I was not able to move closer at that moment. At these moments I wish I had my Nikon Zf at hand, with a nice long lens.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version.

Den Haag Central Station

The Netherlands, Den Haag – May 2025

Den Haag Central Station.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version. 

Den Haag Tower

The Netherlands, Den Haag – May 2025

Den Haag Central Station.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version. 

Timeless Guildford

England, Guildford – April 2025

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Shop In Line

England, Guildford – April 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Breakfast in Harwich: A Ferry Arrival Experience

England, Harwich – April 2025

Coming off the night ferry, breakfast at Starbucks.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Clouds and Rays

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – April 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version.

Flashback

Egypt, Edfu – April 2002

The temple of Horus at Edfu in Egypt. A quick backflash.

The B4 retouch series
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. All of them are not completely retouched yet. Scratches, dust and stains are not removed.

Shot with Nikon F90 on KodakTriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version.

Haagse Poort (Gateway to Den Haag)

The Netherlands, Den Haag – March 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Revisited

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – April 2025

This year I followed the flowering of the magnolia tree in our front garden. The mono photos are taken with Nikon Zf, the colors come from the iPhone.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

First Spring Day Sunset

The Netherlands, Noordwijk – March 2025

The first Sunset of Spring.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

The Continuing story of Magnolia Close Up (mono sequel)

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Dirty Windows

The Netherlands, Den Haag – March 2025

Over looking Den Haag Central Station. 

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version. 

Binckhorst, if only I could walk over water

The Netherlands, Den Haag – March 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Den Haag Binckhorst

The Netherlands, Den Haag – March 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Bicycle Passing By 3


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – March 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Bicycle Passing By 2

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – March 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Bicycle Passing By

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – March 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Under The Roof

The Netherlands, Den Haag – March 2025

The mobility hub above Den Haag Central Station.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version. 

Mr. Duck


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

This little guy is going to be a daddy soon, as Spring is coming in.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 10

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 9


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 8


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 7


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 6

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 5

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 3


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Magnolia Close Up Daily 2


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – February 2025

Since January I try to take regular photos of the Magnolia tree in the garden. The coming days I will publish a daily photo of a close up. For some it will be boring and repetitive, for most (I hope) it will be fun.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.