Getting these images is a lot harder when the color is gone. Texture and contrast take over and in this environment that can be ‘patchwork busy’.

I started with what I think was the most difficult photograph. Every shade you can think of is here. I think the thing saving this image is the large mix of species. Doesn’t hurt there is a little action happening.

Above is all contrast. White Wood Stork becomes the focal point.

Besides being an Alligator the texture of the skin pushes the subject out from the water. Be nice if the water was flat but it’s a swamp.

Like the Wood Stork photograph above this is light on dark. Being a young Spoonbill helped since they are lighter in color. The splashing water showed better than I thought it might.

And the final shot, a marsh landscape. Personally I think black and white landscape images are almost always boring. The three elements of ‘front, middle, and back’ are typically flat or really heavy contrast to make some definition.

In a marsh landscape like this it’s easier.

The front, small shore birds, darkened ripples of water.

The middle, so many big Alligators it’s like a used car lot.

The back, shades and texture from the reeds, mud, misc. stuff. All that gives some depth.

Articles like this, and black and white, make me think different and keep things interesting.

Oh yeah, these are really all black and white, Monochrome Marsh just sounded better.