Jennifer Marano  


Petaluma Bench by Jennifer Marano

May 2021 - Petaluma Bench

About the Image(s)

This bench caught my eye while on a photo scavenger hunt in the town of Petaluma. The category was geometric, and both the bench and its shadow seemed to fit.

I used my Sony a73 at 1/500, F/8, ISO-200. I converted to B&W as there was almost no color to begin with, and what there was I found distracting.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted




Cindy Smith   Cindy Smith
Very interesting. I have not really tried to convert images to BW, but there have been many images that I should have because of the lack of color. That is a technique I want to learn.   Posted: 05/03/2021 10:03:08
Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Thanks, Cindy, and welcome to the group! Black and White is tricky for me. I'm currently taking an on-line class to try to get better at it, and it does make you see things differently!   Posted: 05/03/2021 11:16:32
Cindy Smith   Cindy Smith
Thank you. I can't wait to really get started.   Posted: 05/03/2021 11:38:19



Steven Jungerwirth   Steven Jungerwirth
Nice image Jennifer . . . the B&W works perfectly! Nice range of brightness. I'm sure the color added nothing (other than distraction).

Which side of the bench is the sun on? My initial thought was from the image left . . . but then the shadows in the distance make me think the sun could have been on the right.

Either way . . . well done!   Posted: 05/03/2021 16:37:09
Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Good eye, Steven! The sun is on the right, and there was an identical bench just to the right of this one. The shadow from that bench fits in with the photo, but causes a little confusion due to the other shadows. I thought it was kind of fun! So far, no one else has noticed.   Posted: 05/03/2021 18:49:53
Steven Jungerwirth   Steven Jungerwirth
I like it - photographs that make the viewer think!   Posted: 05/04/2021 02:55:44



Chan Garrett   Chan Garrett
Jennifer: This is a very nice image; one that could easily be seen in a good photography book. I like the simplicity of the scene. To my eye, the shadows on the ground are not the subject. In fact, those shadows can be confusing. The subject is the bench. The really interesting part is the way the brightly sunlit side of the bench metal and the dark shadowy side work to give shape to the bench. Because of this we can see the curved lines and the strong horizontal lines of the bench. We even see the rivet heads that hold the bench together. This is also painting with shadows.   Posted: 05/04/2021 11:21:22



Lance Lewin   Lance Lewin
Good catch, Steve, and I think Chan sums up my feelings.

The simplicity in this composition speaks well to your good eye, Jennifer. As Chan suggested, the Bench, rather than the its (and the other interjecting) shadows really takes the spotlight.

However, without the shadows, do we still have an engaging photograph of this subject??

Well crafted, Jennifer!!   Posted: 05/04/2021 14:33:26



Dale Yates   Dale Yates
Excellent image! I think the black and white conversion was the right move for this image. The bench is sharp with excellent details. I personally like the use of shadows in this image and especially the "puzzle" created by the adjoining shadows from the adjacent bench. With the shadows as noted, this is an image that makes me think, which I truly like in a photo. Nice work!   Posted: 05/09/2021 18:42:35



Stephen Levitas   Stephen Levitas
(Group 32)
Lance's images in your group this month provoke thought about focusing on shadows. Your image of the bench is captivating, and as Lance points out, the shadows support the bench image.
I wonder how a study of only the shadows would work out.   Posted: 05/15/2021 16:24:38
Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Thank you for your comments, Stephen! I hope to do a little experimenting with shadows after seeing what many of the group members have submitted this month. Thanks for taking the time to visit group 87 and contribute to the discussion!   Posted: 05/15/2021 18:20:55