© 2020 Romi Boon All Rights Reserved
While visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico I went for a stroll though a neighborhood near the famous art district, Canyon Road. I happened upon this cozy little casita; with its small deck and brightly painted trim. As I took this shot, I I could envision its owner enjoying his/her coffee in the warmth of the morning sun. How quaint!
While in Scottsdale, I asked a friend where I might find some Sante Fe style homes that would be worthy of photographing. I was told we should visit Tubac (which is south of Tuscan and near the Mexican border). He also suggested that we visit the many great art galleries too; it sounded like a perfect excursion. We arrived in Tubac around 8:30 a.m., when the sun was still low, the streets where quiet and the businesses were still closed; we basically had the town to ourselves. It was so quaint, it was lovely. As we drove and then walked around this tiny town I spotted this brightly colored adobe home, with the stark contrast of the the casting shadows and white framed window. Then, while framing this photo, I also noticed how the tree, the shadows, fence and saguaro tree (together) created a natural frame around the entire photograph, and the white framed window too. This was the shot I was after. After completing our tour, we visited a coffee shop and soaked in the warm morning sun until the shops and galleries opened. We ended up spending the entire day in Tubac (really enjoyed the galleries), and although it was a 6 hour round trip, we had such a fantastic (fun) day that we considered the drive well worth it!
Black and white photography; you either love it, hate it, or it depends on the shot. Some of the photography groups I follow ask, “Which version do you like, the black and white one or the color one?”, and the response tend to spit down the middle. Personally, I feel it depends on the shot. I ask myself does black and white help lead your eye to the subject, or does it make your eyes look harder for the subject? I also look to the darkest darks and the lightest lights and ask, am I taking away from composition or adding to it? That said however, there aren’t any golden rules in “art”. Although I love black and white, I love to see a hint of color (you’ve likely noticed) but again, there isn't a golden rule and personally, I feel it depends on the shot. Good friends, Jo and Lesli share a passion for vintage car restoration and while visiting them recently I snapped a few photos in their front yard. I took many photos of their truck but my favorites are the ones I took lying on the ground, looking up at the truck (as I did here). I have many full view shots (I’ll post them another time), I prefer the abstract views, like these two. Thanks Lesli and Jo, for being so accommodating!
