Black and White Photo Thread - January 2013

[Mike Sweeney]

It is hard core winter in New York City. No real snow to date, but it is probably coming soon:



In the winter, there is a starkness that photographs well in black and white in the city:





This week we were working with a photographer and she does alot of black and white photos, that lets just say were inspirational:



But this is a golf architecture website and I am happily married!!

I started to think of some of my favorite golf photos, especially the black and white photos. Here are a couple from a Tommy Naccarato interview:







Some modern shots of Friars Head:





Tom Watson @ Turnberry



Yale's 9th hole


Cape Arundel which should always be photographed in b&w (correction this is Ekwanok)



same for Garden City



Cypress Point



Any others?

[Evan Fleisher]

I love how B&W photos really bring out all the contours of the land and smaller nuances of movement that seem to get "lost" in a color photo.  Thanks for sharing these Mike!

[Bill_McBride]

Is that the Good Doctor with that "lurch" swing on the ninth tee at Cypress Point?

[Bryan Izatt]

Mike,

Although not as "inspirational" as your picture, I offer this picture as more on topic.  You can click through for a larger version.

[Mike Sweeney]

Gib sent me this nice B&W of Olympic:



Slightly disappointed that a B&W of some Armenian women was not included....

[Jonathan Davison]

A few black and white pictures from Prague City Golf Club, Czech Republic a golf course I was involved with.


A view to the 7th green and long par five with a green wrapped around a small pot bunker.


The long par 3 third hole. A difficult shot to an elevated green.

[Joe Bausch]

Early photo from #3 at Cobb's Creek GC (Philadelphia, PA):



Early photo from #4 at Cobb's Creek GC (Philadelphia, PA):



Early photo from #5 (we debated this could instead be the original 12th, but I'm betting on the 5th) at Cobb's Creek GC (Philadelphia, PA):

[Joe Bausch]

These two pics from the 1928 US Publinx at Cobb's Creek are courtesy of Mike Cirba via the USGA:

From the par 3 4th:



From the 18th green:

[Mark McKeever]

Joe,
On the debate of hole 5 vs. 12 at Cobbs, I just cant see 5.  There is too much grass/land to the right of the green before the hill begins.  It would make sense if it was mowed grass in front  of the small creeek (also can be seen in the picture) coming from the tee shot up the hill.

oooooorrrrrr....its hole 4 from across the creek left of the green.  Thoughts?

Mark

[Joe Bausch]

Joe,
On the debate of hole 5 vs. 12 at Cobbs, I just cant see 5.  There is too much grass/land to the right of the green before the hill begins.  It would make sense if it was mowed grass in front  of the small creeek (also can be seen in the picture) coming from the tee shot up the hill.

oooooorrrrrr....its hole 4 from across the creek left of the green.  Thoughts?

Mark

Mike C sent this 1928 aerial that I've cropped to show pretty much just the 4th, 5th and 6th holes.  I think this supports our belief the picture is from the other side of the creek across the 5th green, with the hill of the 6th in the background:

[Mark McKeever]

I think its the 4th hole based on that aerial as there is a clear area to the right of the 4th green as well.  That mowed area that we can see in the picture would be in front of the 5th tee.  thoughts?


Mark

[Tom Kelly]

Here are a few of my favorites 'borrowed' from this site over the last year or two. Apologies for forgetting/not having time to find out who posted them originally right now, but many thanks to them for supplying my desktop backgrounds!

The Addington



Meyrick Park



Pebble Beach



The famous Sitwell Park pic.



My favourite - Pasatiempo.



One of my own, Castle Stuart 3rd Hole.



All of Paul Turners  old postcard pics of Liphook are fantastic, though maybe more sepia than B&W?
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40751.0.html



As pointed out before the photos of Friar's Head on Ran's course profile are stunning
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/friars-head/

[Mike Sweeney]

Sepia from Gib:



Alberta Ferretti:

[Sam Morrow]

That picture of Pasatiempo is amazing.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Nice idea but some of these look more like a film set where everything is too new.  Sometimes the increased detail is just wrong.  To me the mowing lines below seem incongruous in a B&W photo.

[Sean_A]

Tony

I agree with you in that many of these pix have their texture in colour which is lost in b&w.  For some reason, I much prefer the trees with no leaves in b&w - it must be a texture thing.  Then, I am not a huge fan of b&w unless the photographer knows what he is doing - I think it requires more skill and a better eye. 

Ciao

[Josh Tarble]

Tom,
That picture of Pebble is incredibly cool!  Do you know an approximate date for the pic?

I may be a sucker for the Pinehurst reno but I love that look.  I can't help but think a ton of courses would play so much better with that type set up.

[Jeff Taylor]

Bandon.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Nice idea but some of these look more like a film set where everything is too new.  Sometimes the increased detail is just wrong.  To me the mowing lines below seem incongruous in a B&W photo.

Tony,

That's because you don't understand the angle from which the photo was taken.
As with many photos of golf courses, depicting photos from angles the golfer doesn't see in the course of normal play can be misleading

[Patrick_Mucci]

Jeff, Terrific photo of what I think is one of the great, short par 3's in all of golf.
Bandon.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Black and White photos seem to discard window dressing and rivet one's focus on the subject matter.
Whereas, often the colors can divert the viewer's eye

Are there three more impressive photos anywhere ?
I'm sure there may be, but, these are certainly terrific.

Perhaps Tom Doak can comment, how do they keep/maintain the sand in the face of the bunkers at Pasatiempo ?

Pebble Beach



The famous Sitwell Park pic.



My favourite - Pasatiempo.





As pointed out before the photos of Friar's Head on Ran's course profile are stunning
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/friars-head/

[/quote]

[Mike Sweeney]

Technically not Black and White but a unique grey-scale contrast from the Monterrey Peninsula:

[Mike Sweeney]

Architectural Appreciator and Maine Guide Michael Moore in B&W in New York City:

[Matthew Petersen]

I have always loved that picture of the 7th at Pebble. Are there many other known photos of the course from the same era? I find it hard to picture many of the other holes with a similar bunker style, but I know so many of those holes are a long way gone from what they once were, as well.

[Mike Sweeney]