The Black and White of Palos Verdes by Erik Jay
The Black and White of Palos Verdes
by Erik Jay
As beautiful and colorful as Palos Verdes is, there are times when the dramatic scape calls for an additional angle; black and white.
Fall and Winter are approaching and with it comes amazing photographic opportunities. Colorful sunsets and deep colors of jade make themselves known as the waves come crashing along the shore.
But then there are those moments when the weather is right, the clouds are sending a signal of great events to follow while the placement of the sun is just right. It sounds like a rare occurrence, but not for the peninsula.
The textures of century old landmarks release additional detail when the color is removed, contrasting with large storm systems carrying tons of concentrated darkness. Skies give deep effects of layered definition when blues are replaced with grays, chiseling out landscape background.
Black and white photography in Palos Verdes is working the angles. The artistic value the peninsula holds is full of architecture. Romantic relics, Atlas Shrugged scenes by the Dominator and Pt Vicente Lighthouse are all saturated with drama. And in some cases, color lessens it. It covers up the meanings of the moods that these structures have acquired over a hundred years.
The haunting atmosphere of the lighthouse coupled with grayscale provides noir that is reminiscent of something one would see in a Hitchcock movie. It brings a cold and a story-filled vibe that is efficacious in its small-town rumored doses.
Day or night, black and white photos bring a classic remembrance to original days, with artistic control that can take it anywhere from there.
Bio for Erik Jay
Born and raised in Palos Verdes, Erik Jay has taken photography to a local level and captured the area’s finite detailed locations bringing aspects of Palos Verdes usually reserved for the local’s view.
Erik’s grandfather enjoyed a friendship and shooting partnership with Ansel Adams, whose influence helped shape the angular approaches to his style. Erik continued photography work at Chadwick School, using darkrooms and 35mm film cameras.
Always maintaining photography on a diligent level, Erik fulfilled other career objectives until eight years ago when he decided to take photography to a professional level. Since 2012, Palos Verdes and the South Bay have been relentlessly canvassed by Erik, bringing styles and scenes to the walls of local and previous residents. Erik also is a photographer for M Music Magazine and has contributed to several local publications and cities.
Erik’s work can be seen at his website, www.erikjay.com, where services and prints are available for view. Erik also provides portrait, real estate and event photography.