Engineers in Black & White (photos)

[Jason Blasberg]

The tee shot on #5:



The approach on #5:




The approach on #4:



There's something timeless about b&w!

[George Pazin]

Thanks, Jason.

Love the look of the 5th hole.

[Scott Witter]

Jason:

I have always felt that B&W photos tell you much more about what is actually 'going on' than color.  The shadows, ground movement etc, all become much more evident in B&W, IMO.  We get too overwhelmed by color.  As an architect, I shoot many pictures in B&W when studying an existing course, it allows me to be more objective...especially when it comes to trees    If Ansel Adams could make the landscape comes to life with vivid B&W images, then it is good enough for me.

[Billsteele]

Jason-Thanks for the photos. The more I see of Engineers, the more intrigued I am. Thanks for the images.

[Jason Blasberg]

Jason:

I have always felt that B&W photos tell you much more about what is actually 'going on' than color.  The shadows, ground movement etc, all become much more evident in B&W, IMO.  We get too overwhelmed by color.  As an architect, I shoot many pictures in B&W when studying an existing course, it allows me to be more objective...especially when it comes to trees    If Ansel Adams could make the landscape comes to life with vivid B&W images, then it is good enough for me.

Scott:

Comparing these two it's clear the B&W better reveals the contouring . . .



 


I think I'll do a my home course in all B&W!!

[Tom_Doak]

I think the color photo shows exactly the same shading and contour as the black and white ... you just tend to look at it more in the black & white because you are less distracted by the rest of the frame.

[Geoffrey Childs]

In this case I think Tom is correct.

From my younger days as a college photographer with darkroom experience I recall reading that using true black and white film and processing as such will give better subtle contrast and reveal contour.  When you convert a color image into black and white you actually lose some contrast.

Perhaps our resident photographer can chime in.

[Scott Witter]

Geoffrey:

"I recall reading that using true black and white film and processing as such will give better subtle contrast and reveal contour"  Correct, but we don't know for sure, or do we, if Jason used B&W film, your the photographer, you tell us.

"When you convert a color image into black and white you actually lose some contrast."  Also correct

Tom

For obvious reasons, much is a matter of opinion and ones eye as it sees the image and the ability to render the subtlities.  

"you just tend to look at it more in the black & white because you are less distracted by the rest of the frame."

My point exactly about being more objective without getting overwhelmed by the setting and surrounding context.  Looking at a photograph is quite different than actually being there...the distractions and all, so if given the choice, B&W photos are for me more effective than color.

Question, would you prefer to look at old color photos (regardless if they were available or not) of work you are doing for restoration, or do you think the typical B&W photos of holes and aerials are more effective for this purpose?

[D_Malley]

go to the friars head course review on this site for some good b&w course photos.

[TEPaul]

Is this the same golf course that someone on here claimed Tripp Davis screwed up somehow?

If so I hope Tripp gets a ton more classic courses to screw up.  

[Chris_Blakely]

TEPaul

You are right, that person had nothing positive to contribute to this site!!!

[Jason Blasberg]

If so I hope Tripp gets a ton more classic courses to screw up.  

He's been doing work at Meadowbrook.  I'd like to think what people saw at Engineers was a contributing factor in his getting that project.  I look forward to his continued screw ups in the future



BTW, yesterday I had the luxury of comparing, side by side, two ECC Master Plans.  I will say only that one was Tripp's and the other wasn't.  They are very similar in substance and form and nearly all the things done by Tripp were also in the other Master Plan.  

[Tom_Doak]

Jason:

That's the essential fact about master plans ... unless they are looking to create some work for themselves by adding mounding / moving bunkers / etc., most architects would come up with very similar ideas for any particular course, especially once they know the club's general direction.

It's the execution of the details (the construction) that really matters on a good old course.

[Jason Blasberg]

I think the color photo shows exactly the same shading and contour as the black and white ... you just tend to look at it more in the black & white because you are less distracted by the rest of the frame.

Perhaps, but I think what you are saying is not being distracted is what I think is an accentuation of the contouring.  For instance, in the color shot of the 5th the top of the ridge line before the fairway tumbles toward the green blends into the tree line a bit.  Meanwhile to my eye, in the b&w it stands out much more.

I do think the b&w highlights the high points of the fairway which necessarily contrasts with the darker, low points.  

[TEPaul]

Is it possible to get some kind of glasses where we can see the world and play golf in black and white?

Oh, forgettaboutit, most everyone on here sees the entire world of architecture as just black or white anyway.  

[Mark Bourgeois]

Is it possible to get some kind of glasses where we can see the world and play golf in black and white?

Possibly the dumbest idea on this site since different flagstick sizes.

[Eric Franzen]

Is it possible to get some kind of glasses where we can see the world and play golf in black and white?

Possibly the dumbest idea on this site since different flagstick sizes.

Nah - It's pure genius!

We might actually be witnessing the birth of a potential future global movement in golf... one that will culminate in "The annual Tom Paul Invitational" - you know, the prestigious amateur event where the whole field plays with their magic black & white glasses on.

Black & white golf - now this is hardcore purism!

[Mark Bourgeois]

I'm in if we can make the flagsticks different sizes!

[Jason Blasberg]

It's the execution of the details (the construction) that really matters on a good old course.

Tom:

I'd love to walk the course next year with you and see what you think.  It's been a long process that is still ongoing but the bulk of the heavy lifting is done.  

Now all we need is a good old fashioned Hurricane and we'll be there!

Jason    

[corey miller]

Jason

Did Tripp Davis recommend the removal of many trees?  Have a lot been removed ? What was the process in approving the plan ? Will the tree position be revisited once the benefits of the work are evident to more of the members ?

[TEPaul]

"I'm in if we can make the flagsticks different sizes!"

Mark:

Go ahead and make the flag sticks different sizes for a Black and White golf tournament--I don't care a whit. All that means is after the tournament you will have to sit in a dirty, disgusting, smelly mud-puddle for 26 hours with your black and white glasses on.

[Jason Blasberg]

Jason

Did Tripp Davis recommend the removal of many trees?  Have a lot been removed ? What was the process in approving the plan ? Will the tree position be revisited once the benefits of the work are evident to more of the members ?

Yes, Yes.  The Plan was approved a few years ago so I'm not sure . . . selective tree clearing is still a goal.   The membership is already well aware of what Tripp has accomplished so everything is moving in the right direction for the future.