VALSE LENTE in black and white

Photo nr1

Photo nr2

Photo nr3

I love colour photography because I see the world in colour…

I love black and white photography, because it strips the ‘reality’ out of the image, it leaves the naked truth, without the frills and ‘distraction’ of colours, just tones that add to the emotion, the all important ingredient, for me, in photography.

VALSE LENTE

(photo nr1)

The slow waltz, gentle, easy gliding across the dance floor.

Every Monday afternoon there is a ‘dance’ meeting at one of the old halls.
The ladies and gents duly arrive on time to have a great time, all done up and ready for a good time.
The music begins soon after the greetings and laughter.
The dance floor fills up very quickly, I notice a lot of ladies partnering up, there are not enough men for all of them, a few sitting on the side, I smile, nothing ever changes, some guys remain shy forever or only know one dance….
It’s a great atmosphere; I talk to them, hear what this means to them, the joy, the banter and yes, sometimes love is in the air.
Again, nothing ever changes…
Then the music starts, a couple walk hand in hand to the middle, take the stance, their dance begins, nobody else, the rest just watch.

PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES

(photo nr2)

I went there for a project, they love being photographed, well, most of them.
This lady wore her comfortable dancing shoes, but the moment she spotted my lens going to her feet, she stopped me, no no, wait...
Out of the bag came the 'newer' ones, they had not been properly broken in, yet.
With delicate gestures she closed the strap across her ankle, while her gentleman friend sat patiently waiting for the next dance.
A genteel world that is fast disappearing.

I seem to go in HCB (Henri Cartier-Bresson) mode when I'm in those places...
I chose the grainy film Ilford HP5 especially for this.


VALSE LENTE TOO

(photo nr3)

This lady, one of the first to arrive at the dance hall, was well liked and cherished.
She was obviously just there to see and enjoy her friends dancing.
I had already taken several shots, and sat down on the side to absorb the whole atmosphere; when out of the corner of my eye I saw movement.
The one foot was moving with the tune, the stick tapping the beat, the rest of her body still, her face ecstatic.
I wondered where she was in her memories, for a moment I saw the young girl emerging, a youthfulness in her shining eyes.
The music stopped, applause, her shoulders sagged a bit; she leant a bit more heavily on her stick.
Valse Lente too.

Wishing you all a great day and thanx for viewing, M, (*_*)

400 iso b/w film, wet darkroom developed and printed.