PHOTOGRAPHY
Viewing Boston Through a Monochrome Lens
Black and white can change how we see things
My daughter and I did our day-travel thing again this past weekend. No mileage on the car this time. We took an hour-long ride to Boston. The train station is less than a half-mile from our doorstep. No complaints about that.
Unfortunately, Briana’s dealing with bronchitis, making walking difficult. The cold air wasn’t helping either. So after a short walk together, she returned to a café at the North Station. She’s a lot like me because she doesn’t mind being alone.
I typically shoot color in the city. But this time, I wanted a different perspective, so monochrome was my choice. At times it was easy; at other times, color screamed at me.
After returning to the café, I bundled up against the cold and walked onto Causeway Street, home of TD Garden, the Bruins, and the Celtics. The chances of running into one of the players are usually pretty good, but not that early in the morning at 25 degrees.
What I did run into, or rather, walked past, was a woman voiding her bladder on the sidewalk. I did not lift my camera and depress the shutter. Some people might whip out their cell phones to blast it on Tik Tok, Twitter, or whatever. I chalk her actions up to mental illness. It’s not something to take advantage of — not for a million fucking views.
I did, however, find a decent spot to get a glimpse of the Zakim Bridge, which has become a bit of an icon in the city since construction was completed in 2003. I believe it’s the first cable-stayed bridge in Boston.
Despite the cold weather, I enjoyed myself. Any time I carry my camera, I’m content. It allows me to see a different perspective of everything I see through the viewfinder. At City Hall, I stumbled across a sign spelling BOSTON in colorful three-foot-high letters. This photo deserved to be in color; it needed to be in color. I stayed the course and shot it in monochrome. And I think it’s a better photo with part of it in the shadows, the rest brightly lit by fading sunlight.
Sometimes monochrome versus color is a test for me. I’ll bounce back and forth over my choice while developing the photo. Other times, I just know monochrome is the right decision. I think it’s an intuition photographers develop in their careers.
Nearby was a statue of NBA and Celtic great Bill Russell. Despite the abuse he received because of the color of his skin, even in Boston, Russell overcame the slights. He became an equal rights powerhouse, supporting Muhammad Ali and his decision to refuse military service. In 13 years, Russell earned five MVP awards and 11 championship rings.
It’s not uncommon to find walkways between buildings, as part of or under buildings, all leading to connecting streets. They all have a unique perspective, at least I think so.
As I wrote earlier, it was a chilly day, so people-watching wasn’t on my mind. But when I had the opportunity to take a photo, I did so. The circumstances called for privacy, so I took pictures of these couples from behind.
Old meets new
I walked through the North End, the Italian section of Boston. Not many shops were open early on a Sunday. As I looked down the street, I was in awe of the old buildings lining the road as they led my eyes to modern construction. The contrast was stunning.
This ends my story about monochrome days in Boston. If you’ve read this far, thank you for stopping by. Lay 50 claps on me and comment, if you would please. Cheers!
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