Focus on Texas: Black & White

Readers prove to be masters at taking photography back to basics

By Ashley Clary-Carpenter May 2013

Mark Holly, Bandera EC, says hiking the Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend National Park provided an unforgettable experience.

Cheryl Stephenson, Wood County EC, snapped this during a broom-making demonstration at the Henderson Heritage Syrup Festival.

The early morning light fills a stairwell at Mission Concepción in San Antonio. Thanks to Ginger Smith, Pedernales EC, for sharing.

Scott Moore, Bluebonnet EC, says a storm was rolling in the morning he captured this moment between Bastrop and Red Rock.

Rebecca Steele, daughter of Harold and Shelleen Steele, Karnes EC, caught this resting hackberry emperor butterfly.

Isabella Sertuche, Bowie-Cass EC, titles this photo ‘A Country Bug’s Life.’ It wasn’t until closer examination that she noticed a spider had made its home in the fence post.

Meet Apollo, a rescue dog belonging to Jimmie I. Holmes, father of Mason Weems, Pedernales EC. Taken in to replace Jimmie’s longtime friend Budder Bean, who was lost to cancer, Mason now is trying to figure out who rescued whom.

Near Stillhouse Hollow Lake, this fawn posed for its close-up while Mom grazed nearby, says Martha Dye, Pedernales EC.

Laura Molitor, Mid-South Synergy, said the drought of 2011 brought this tank near Anderson to levels not seen since it was dug around 1970.

Jan Sage, Guadalupe Valley EC, says daughter-in-law Tashana Klonius Hayes took this photo of a 1947 Chevrolet flatbed truck on Jan’s dad’s farm near San Angelo. Alfonse Schwartz, Jan’s dad, is a Concho Valley EC member. ‘The license plate says Texas Farm Truck, and that’s exactly what it is used for—the farm. This truck stays and works at Alfonse Schwartz Farms.’ she says.

Mark Holly, Bandera EC, was camping near Inks Lake when the sunset lit up the trees and grass. ‘The contrast between the shadows and light areas was striking,’ he says.

These twin fawns were born at Trophy Ridge Ranch in Saint Jo. Christal Cox, Cooke County ECA, says they were begging her to take their picture.

Tonya Haley, Sam Houston EC, captured this tree farm in San Jacinto County.

Cibolo Creek provided a haunting reflection of nearby cypress trees. Thanks to Cassi Crow, Pedernales EC, for sending it in.

Jeff Livingston, Pedernales EC, took this shot of a sleepy dog while its owner had breakfast at the nearby Marathon Café.

‘These kinds of scenes are what we strive for,’ says Sharon Seligman, Pedernales EC, who lives at Colonia Serendipity, a community dedicated to the sustainability of the land and environment.

There is something powerful and raw about black-and-white photography. And, as you can see from our favorites this month, black and white is anything but simple. It can be soft, it can be harsh, it can be textured and it can be smooth. Thank you for the more than 300 unique photos hitting every point on the gray scale—Ansel Adams might be proud of our talented members!