Category Archives: Nature

Back in Black (& White)

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When I started photography 25 years ago as an undergraduate student in the University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI) Camera Club we were immersed in the joys of traditional black & white photography. Agfapan, Tri-X and T-Max were developed, contact sheets were made and enlargements were made…..again, again and again until we were satisfied. Darkroom fever enveloped us as time passed from day to night and back into the morning in that fume-filled red-lit room.

There were more than a few times when darkroom sessions ended in pure frustration as we ended up with just not having anything worthwhile. We all imagined that we were either Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Sebastião Salgado or Helmut Newton as we strived for that perfect print.

With the transition to digital photography in the early 21st century it became harder to find chemicals, film and paper and I lost my traces of darkroom fever in 2003 when I became a full-time (digital) news photographer. However, it is difficult to give up your first love because you learn so much when your eyes are opened and you and experience what you never knew existed before. This is why I whenever I can, I get back to the tones, shapes, forms and details that only black & white photography can give me.  Here are some examples of some of my favourite digital black & white nature photos, all taken at Holywell Recreational Park in Jamaica’s  Blue Mountains.  [zooeffect AoIA5Srk9V1M]

Cascade’s Night Life

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The things I find on  my porch at night….

A frog in the eaves of my porch.

A frog in the eaves of my porch.

So here I am trying to find some light reading about the frogs of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. Sadly, I can’t find anything. In the back of my memory – amongst all the clutter – I vaguely remember reading that many species of Jamaica’s frogs are endangered and vital members of the ecosystem.

Feeding time.

Feeding time.

Hanging by the light

Hanging by the light

You are probably wondering why I am thinking about such things. Well the answer is really very simple – while on my porch earlier this week I noticed quite a collection of the creatures hanging around my light, on the ceiling and on the window. This inspired to take out my camera and practice my night nature photography.

I’m also hoping that someone might identify these little creatures and  tell me if they are of any interest. So please feel free to send me any info. that might help me to identify them.

Climbing up my window

Climbing up my window

Immersion at the Inaugural River Breeze Workshop

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A spirit of camaraderie characterised the three-day River Breeze Photography workshop held last weekend in the Buff Bay Valley of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. Based at River Breeze cottage at Cascade, the three participants immersed themselves (at times literally) in all of the activities. Friday morning saw sessions that focused on DSLR camera familiarisation, creative composition and light interpretation and included a short climb to the nearby One Drop Waterfall. The day ended with a night photography session on the grounds of the cottage.  [slideshow id=8]It was an early wake-up the next morning to catch sunrise at the upper Buff Bay Valley followed by a critique session. After lunch we made our way to the Maroon village of Charles Town where the students were exposed to an integral part of Jamaica’s history and culture. That night ended in the coastal town of Buff Bay, formerly the capital of the defunct parish of St. George.  Sunday was a full day, with some of the stops including Fish Dun waterfall, Birnamwood Anglican Church and Avocat. At the end of the weekend, the portfolios were presented and all of the students had very strong work that highlighted their creativity and drive as well and also illustrated the Buff Bay valley. Here is a link to two of the students’ work and above are the students in action.