Derek Bahn and friend

Some typical scenery around the Santa Ynez Valley behind Santa Barbara

We see in color. It is beautiful and natural, but it is rare that I feel I have captured it well enough with my camera. Seeing a scene in black and white takes a little more work, imagination, and practice. I work in a black and white lab/darkroom, and shoot primarily black and white film. Most people who know me here would say that I probably can’t even see color, but the truth is, I’m in love with it. I guess I just see more of an artform in the black and white process and I don’t feel like I’m taking as much credit for nature’s beauty. However, today I could not resist. Color won for me.

Holga camera slideshow!

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These photos came from my little plastic toy camera. They date pretty far back…but I think there are a few frames of wintery Europe among the California sunsets :] I love these fuzzy, flared images.

I recently developed some color film that I had partially shot in Europe, and finished shooting when I returned to Santa Barbara. I laughed a little to see the contrast between pictures of German Christmastime, and early spring in California on the same roll.

Here I am, missing the place I’m not, as usual. [click to make any picture full size]