PHOTOS AND TEXT BY DON WODJENSKI
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
August 3, 2016
As a lifelong photographer, I’m still in love with black and white photography as a primary means of creative expression. Although color photography is, in some ways, more representational, black and white photographs filter reality, revealing an altered and simplified view of the world.
Often, I see digital color images become over-saturated jumbles of color and they appear to be more about effects than subject. For me, a black and white photograph is an unmistakable artistic statement designed to portray its subject as shape, line, texture and tone.
Until recently, photography was a film-based art form. Both automated printing and darkrooms were plentiful. Somewhat limited by chemical restrictions, both color and black and white processing reached the limits of photographic technology.
Today, digital photography’s millions of colors and ease of computer image manipulation has relegated film to the margins of photographic practice. However, given the classic photographic qualities they evoke, appreciation of black and white images remains strong.
Throughout my series, Artists of Whidbey Island, I have approached each photo session with an artist as an artist—intentionally portraying these creative people practicing their art while using my knowledge and experience to overcome challenges of light and space. The results reflect working artists in their studio environment through the lens of my creative choices.
Here, I’ve selected 12 black and white images to present. These images are drawn from individual folios in the ongoing series. Readers are invited to view this virtual exhibit of artist portraits and comment on what black and white photography means to them.
To view all of the participants in “The Artists of Whidbey Island” series, go to http://www.wodjenskicreative.com/f1067522829.
Don Wodjenski, is an artist, photographer, teacher, and musician living in Coupeville. Recently retired as an Arts instructor with South Whidbey Schools and Skagit Valley College, he remains active in the Whidbey arts community. Although never without an opinion on art and culture, he is new to blogging.
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