My images have been a bit uninspiring lately. I don’t know what it is. Maybe the change in weather, maybe I’ve exhausted all of the possibilities in my immediate surroundings. Probably more than anything, a change in environment would help me artistically and even more, mentally. Since being layed off, I’ve been around home more than I have ever been in recent years. It is nice being with my wife and doing a few things to the house I never had time to do. But at the same time I really have no funds to do much of anything else. I’m glad I shoot digital because I never would have been able to afford shooting film as much.
So, plenty of time and no money. What to do, what to do. I think a short road trip is within my means but I’d have to travel a fair bit from where I live to get somewhere that feels substantially different. At the same time I think that if I go somewhere different I may stumble upon a new job because the prospects are few around here. Unless you’re a doctor or fry cook. I’m neither. I’m trying to weasel my way into the art world since that’s where I really belong but that takes a while, and a few lucky breaks, to get “in with the in crowd”.
These shots were taken at a tree near a shopping center. I liked the cool yellow leaves. Pentax K20D, DA17-70.
Overlays
© David Guidas
What I Pic 
Lately I’ve been experimenting with converting to gray scale and trying to simulate film by adding noise. I don’t think I’m going to spend the money for silver efex so I’ve been trying a few free alternatives. I would be really interested to see some of your regular work with an attempt at making it look like it was shot on film. Your second shot above had me thinking that it looks good, and might look even better with some grain/noise in it.
I’ve actually been thinking about intentionally shooting my K-7 at ISO 1600-3200 to create a lot of noise with the plan to convert it to gray scale. This way the image would have sensor derived noise instead of adding it in with Photoshop in post. Just some thoughts… Also, your images have been very inspiring to me and I have some upcoming photography challenges that I’m planning for myself and my students. More on that as I have some details.
I like black and white images a lot and always think in B&W when I’m out shooting. There’s just something magical when the focus is just on the tone, lines, and textures. I’ve just been inspired by color a little more of late because of spring fever.
Shooting at high ISO with digital for noisy (grainy) B&W, in my opinion, works to a degree. It depends on the mood and subject matter. It’s a little rough looking to me. I prefer to add grain to low ISO shots or, if shooting in low light, where grain is expected in an image, clean up the digital noise and then add grain. But then sometimes a contrasty, digital noisy shot just works! That’s the beauty of it. Experiment, have fun, enjoy!
I’m glad you like my shots and that they are inspiring to you. I hope you can get something out of them. Looking forward to what you come up with.