black metal & white

The location in which I created this image is within walking distance of where I live. There are many Mid-century modern tract homes build in this section of the southland. It was a boom area after WW II, land was plentiful, families were moving in at record numbers. It is always intriguing to see how everyone decides on the landscaping and the colors they pick for the outside of their houses, whether it be new people moving in or individuals who decide to remodel. I came upon this location and found the landscaping of interest to me. The deep color of the stucco wall with the contrasting brushed aluminum house numbers stood out from across the street. I had decided to shoot this image later in the day when the house was not in direct sunlight, figuring the soft overcast light would reflect in the metal numbers creating contrast against the dark wall and again the light giving the agave and the reed grass all they needed to separate from one another. The Foxtail Agave with it’s large leaves starting to weave itself into the backdrop of the Horsetail grass was visually appealing to me. The different layers of texture and tone although originally captured in color, had always been intended to be processed  to final image in black & white. This one vignette of the structure with it’s landscaping is like an appetizer for the rest of the well appointed home.