Black and white world, a photo from Durham, England

Photographer's Note

CLICK HERE to see the larger and sharper original version of this photo.

Since I changed my job few months ago, this is a view which I pass on my way to work. For a while now I have tried to find a good angle to capture an array of houses like this. This particular street has the advantage that the road goes uphill, and each next house is shifted up respectively. I have noticed the sunlight fills the whole street in the morning, sadly also at the same time the light is very harsh. Polarizer does not help then. The resulting colors were quite washed out. Hence, I turned to black and white.

The title refers to the discussion which I had on TrekEarth few weeks ago. To illustrate what I mean I am going to mention the political system known from the US. The vast majority of population is divided into the Democratic Party voters and the voters of the Republican Party. They vote for the same party from one generation to another. Democratic Party is progressive and liberal while Republican is conservative and traditional. Interestingly in the election campaign nobody cares about those voters because they are predictable. They see the world as black and white. We are good they are bad. The presidential candidates care most about so-called swing voters. A group not that large but it is them who in the end must be convinced, first to participate and vote and secondly to vote for the given candidate. Most countries in Europe experience now similar polarization: there is usually a still prevailing liberal party and there is a rise of conservative parties across the whole continent. Sadly, the polarizations like that are deepening. People like it because it is easy. They pick a side and they are ready. For example, if they think they are progressive they stick with the liberal party, usually being current mainstream also in the media. If someone is more traditional picks a conservative party. Deep polarization means that at certain point the sides start to hate each other. They don’t talk, they accuse each other. We are good, they are bad. Whatever we do is good, whatever they do is bad. Black and white. The negative consequence of it is that people on both sides stop talking to each other. I know some families in Poland which are so divided they don’t talk to each other. If I would tell them: look the world is not black and white, it has some shades in between… Left would tell me that it means I am defending the right so it means I support the bad guys. Right would tell me that it means I am defending the left so it means I support the bad guys. This is how the polarization works. Roughly speaking this is why Trump has won, this is why Brexit happened, this is why in Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Austria, France… some alternative anti-establishment forces came to power. People don’t talk, mainstream media keep some issues out of the public dispute and this is easily being used by those who benefit from polarized societies, divided Europe, divided America. Just think about it: black and white is not the full picture.

It is the Beaconsfield Road in Norton, a village in the unitary authority of Stockton-on-Tees.

ikeharel, ikeharel, PaulVDV, Fis2, johnjmoe, maloutim, Royaldevon, snunney, jhm, papagolf21, CLODO, adramad, mcmtanyel, notrap, ChrisJ, COSTANTINO, cornejo, macjake marcou esta nota como útil

Critiques | Translate

Tue (91574) 2019-03-25 11:02

Hello Mariusz,
A great photo from a typically English street lined with houses and their large chimneys. I really like the repetition of the chimneys, roofs, white windows and cars. The slightly sloping street makes it even more interesting. Very well captured.
Lars

lousat (138609) 2019-03-25 11:22

Hi Mariusz,great shot!I like a lot symmetric compositions and this is a great example. Modern cars and satellite dishes in a scenery made by the old typical houses,i like the idea of this bright black and white version too. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Silvio1953 (220605) 2019-03-25 12:11

Ciao Mariusz, lovely composition B&W composition with a lot of cars, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful perspective, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

BennyV (34742) 2019-03-25 12:23

Hello Mariusz

Everything must be ordered. All in line!
So typically British in a way...

Good idea to convert to bl/w to bring out the patterns.

Benny

PaulVDV (62802) 2019-03-25 13:34

Hello Mariusz,
This is a terrific shot with an endless series of repetitions of many elements. I've never seen such a street.
I must admit I don't understand exactly what we see on the ground floor of the houses. It seems small verandas. I wish I could see a photo of the houses in front view.
Yet I find this a fantastic picture.
I understand your discontent with politics but too many people in the society feel that the traditional policy leaves them completely in the lurch.
Best regards, Paul

Fis2 (169731) 2019-03-25 13:59

Czesc Mariusz!
Znakomite cz-b foto.
Fajne kontrasty i swiatlo dobrze pojechane ;)
Bardzo ciekawa ulica i domy.
Czy te wwzystkie samochody parkuja, przejazd srodkiem?
Znakomity kadr i perspektywa.
Zdjecie polaczyles z polityka widze Twoje zainteresowanie.
Milego wieczoru.
Pozdrawiam.
Krzysztof

jean113 (27637) 2019-03-25 14:40

Hello Mariusz, an excellent presentation in black and white. It is so sharp, excellent quality.
The repetition as we look down/up the road creates a great pattern. ( Notice all the satellite dishes!)
A thought provoking note.
Regards Jean.

johnjmoe (923) 2019-03-25 15:56

I don't care which side of the photo is best. I enjoy the photo as whole. Just wish it was that easy. Excellent capture. TFS

ifege (46951) 2019-03-25 22:39

Hi Mariusz
Brilliant in monochrome. What a classic English street!
cheers
Ian

Nicou (193806) 2019-03-25 22:42

Hello

quelle rue et image quel graphisme et compo fantastique image avec ces voitures ces chemines ces maison tout est alignée tout droit superbe
Bravo et belle journée
Nicou

jemaflor (146280) 2019-03-26 0:34

Hi Mariusz,
good idea for an original photo, interesting perspective result, good contrast in b&w, well done, well seen, tfs.

snunney (130967) 2019-03-26 3:36

Hello Mariusz,
Great choice of black and white both to overcome the harsh light and create a feeling of nostalgia very appropriate to these serried rows of terraced houses. Great sense of depth and perspective thanks to the variety of different repeating elements receding up the hill, not least the parked cars and the satellite dishes. As your note suggests we live in interesting times; although most people would prefer things to be black and white, this is really the case in real life.

Royaldevon (85606) 2019-03-26 3:37

Hello Mariusz,

I think the most important message that you have highlighted is the extraordinary, important effect of the media. People can be persuaded of an opinion because it has been reported in the newspaper or on tv. Some newspapers are more trustworthy than others but reports can have a very strong influence.

Anyway, let's look at your photograph which I really like and I especially like it because it is in b&w. That treatment works well for this type of housing, giving an impression of age and similarity. Despite the repetition of the style, people are individuals and you will find that they do something to the house to make it 'theirs', just a bit different from their neighbours.
I love then upwards composition, the houses almost on parade, with their supporting cars neatly parked outside!

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

ikeharel (112439) 2019-03-26 4:15

A superb take upon the repeating pattern of the rows-dwellings, so English typical / styled and wonderfully captured on picture, Mariusz.
B&W and the good angle found, wonderfully outcame.
Cheers,
Ike

jhm (211734) 2019-03-26 7:10

Hello Mariusz,

You choice a wonderful angle with to both sides old facades.
Create depth and perspective.
Perfect quality.
Very well photograph job.
Nice done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

mesutilgim (0) 2019-03-26 11:10

Hello Mariusz,
Very nice b&w capture from Durham taken with good pov and sharpness. Very good graphism.
Many interesting and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

pajaran (114915) 2019-03-26 14:17

Dobro vece.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepo uhvacen trenutak,lepa crno bela fotografija.
Lepa ulica sa parkiranim automobilima i krovovi sa dimnjacima.
Zelim vam lepu i mirnu noc, sve njabolje.
Paja.

Good evening.
A nice view and a moment, interesting and good text ...
Beautifully presented, good perspective and contrast, beautifully captured moment, beautiful black and white photo.
Nice street with parked cars and roofs with chimneys.
I wish you a nice and peaceful night, all the best.

papagolf21 (152605) 2019-03-26 23:54

Bonjour, cher Mariusz,
Une prise de vue très originale et qui mérite les éloges.
Le noir et blanc convient parfaitement à cette réalisation;
Une bonne note (comme quoi la politique n'est pas simple)...
Je vois que les paraboles fleurissent autant que les cheminées pointées vers le ciel...
Amitiés.
Philippe

CLODO (45116) 2019-03-27 5:22

Hi Mariusz

A long and informative note! I really like the almost symetry, the only difference is to see the boot or the hood of the cars, the conversion in B&W accentuates the power of this image, no color to disturb your vision. Can you take a picture showing only one range of similar semi detached houses?
Cheers
CLODO

jmdias (114278) 2019-03-27 10:44

mariusz

I liked the artistic quality of this image with this intense repetition of façades and cars in a row. the use of black and white was a nice idea to enhance the repetition and the graphism of the compo. very beautiful.

take care

jorge

adramad (72562) 2019-03-27 12:13

Hola Mariusz,
Sensacional y sorprendente composicion en B&W, la exactitud de libro todas las casas a ambos lados de la calle, es muy notable, tambien que el lado de la derecha casi todos tienen antena parabolica en la fachada, mientras en el otro casi nadie lo tiene, salvo algunos en el tejado, lo cual afea menos, pienso que hasta el espacio de parking, un coche por casa tiene que estar previsto.Hello Mariusz,
Sensational and surprising composition in B & W, the accuracy of book all the houses on both sides of the street, it is very remarkable, also that the right side almost all have parabolic antenna in the facade, while in the other almost nobody has it, except some on the roof, which is less bad, I think that up to the parking space, one car per house has to be planned.
A beautiful color, which enhances the image.
Magnificent management of brightness and sharpness, to enjoy the details.
Well seen and done. I like it.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (67657) 2019-03-27 21:05

Hello Mariusz,
Laovely composition, I like the repetition most. The cars seem to be facing the wrong direction, for England. That's how we park our cars here in the U.S.
Regards,
MT

Cricri (176) 2019-03-28 2:00

Hi Mariusz
Pas fan du N/B, mais ici cela donne super bien
intéressant de voir les mêmes bâtiments de chaque cotés, les voitures mise dans le bon sens de la route, très belle réalisation
Amitiés
cricri

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-03-28 4:06

Hello Mariusz
A beautiful photo and an excellent text on which I want to add some nuances regarding the situation in the Netherlands.
We don’t have a two-party system in the Netherlands. Our country is not divided into left and right but into at the moment 13 different parties that are represented in parliament. At this moment 5 parties are needed to form a majority government.
This is therefore the country of compromises. We call this "poldering".
Endless consultation and nobody really gets their way. This gives the parties on the flanks the opportunity to raise their profile and especially the parties on the extreme right wing are strong in this, as elsewhere, but they are not strong enough to get power and not sufficiently prepared to compromise and therefore have little direct influence. They do, however, influence the parties to the right of the centre who are afraid of losing too many voters on their right wing.
Excellent presentation
Groet Rob

Steft (6109) 2019-03-29 0:49

Hello Mariusz,
Excellent picture of a street in England. I like the repetition of all the shapes. It's a very sharp picture and I think the black and white is a good choice.

Thanks for sharing,
Stef

ChrisJ (171222) 2019-03-29 20:57

Hello Mariusz,

A nice b&w capture of the English terrace houses tightly clustered on both sides of the street. Good sharpness, tonal range and light contrasts, with excellent linear perspective. Tfs!

quovadis (5711) 2019-03-31 3:03

Czesc Mariusz.

Swietna kompozycja oraz czarno-bialy wybor obrazu, doskonale pasujacy do calosci ramki. Warto probowac nowych rozwiazan bo przynosza ciekawe rozwiazania naszej wyobrazni otaczajcego nas swiata.

Pozdrawiam i zycze pogodnej niedzieli.

COSTANTINO (115539) 2019-04-01 1:41

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day and new week
thanks for sharing with us this fantastic
postcard in black and white
I like the depth and generally the
view which you passed on your way
to work excellent chosen point of vew
regards
costantino

cornejo (61504) 2019-04-04 3:53

Witaj Mariusz, very good black and white photography of this interesting composition, well captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, light and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy weekend.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
Angel.

macjake (98262) 2019-04-09 16:24

Hi Mariusz
I get the feeling you are just like me - a true photographer.
From reading your note I get the sense you are ALWAYS looking at scenes, always trying to compose the best scene, always trying to remember what time of day has the best light, composing in your head all the time. It doesn't stop :)
I get the sense that is you (and me) whether we have a camera in hand or not - we can't help it. your persistence paid off here. the black and white worked well too. and you're right, the UPwards direction of the road is to your benefit. awesome street shot.
cheers
Craig

Photo Information

Copyright: Mariusz Kamionka (mkamionka) (73374)
Genre: Lugares
Medium: Preto & Branco
Date Taken: 2019-03-24
Categories: Vida Diária, Transportes, Arquitectura
Camera: Canon EOS Kiss X4, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Map: view
Versão da Foto: Versão Original
Date Submitted: 2019-03-25 11:00

Viewed: 880

Points: 60

Discussions

To mcmtanyel: wrong way (1)
by mkamionka, last updated 2019-03-28 01:15
To alvaraalto: two party system (1)
by mkamionka, last updated 2019-03-28 04:33

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