Jay Waters
@jaywaters.bsky.social
680 followers 340 following 340 posts
Teacher, aspiring photographer, ex-ad guy, stretch four. Working on growing my #photography work - looking for gallery, photobook, and similar opportunities. All posted photos are mine; all 100% #mobilephotography #samsung. More at jaywatersphotos.com
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
jaywaters.bsky.social
Reposting because I forgot hashtags. I often hear music when I look at a photograph. So I took a stab at putting some of my images together with some music. Let me know what you think! #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #classicmono #photographersofbluesky #photography

youtu.be/9bgnUImYAbg
American Adagio v3
YouTube video by Jay Waters
youtu.be
jaywaters.bsky.social
Another image from last week in Louisville, Kentucky

Scooter, Riverside, Louisville, KY
#streetphotography #scape #classicmono #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #monochrome
Black-and-white photograph of a quiet riverfront promenade with a single electric scooter leaning against a white metal fence. Behind it, the wide river stretches toward a distant skyline framed by two bridges—one dark and arched on the left, one bright and trussed on the right. Billowing clouds fill the sky above, their softness contrasting with the sharp geometry of the pavement and railing, creating a sense of stillness and open space
jaywaters.bsky.social
The President of the United States is a liar.
jaywaters.bsky.social
The President of the United States is a liar.
jaywaters.bsky.social
A second image from my trip to Louisville last week.

Lincoln on the Street, Louisville, Kentucky
#streetphotography #classicmono #monochrome #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite
Black-and-white nighttime photograph of a closed restaurant facade with a large painted portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the right. The building sign reads “Eddie Merlot’s – finest wines and cocktails,” and a single light post in the foreground casts a bright glow onto Lincoln’s chin. A potted plant sits beside a dark doorway at center, while the brick sidewalk and painted fish on the left wall add texture and quiet surrealism to the empty street.
jaywaters.bsky.social
An invitation to join me in protest: Everyday, at 12N Eastern Time, for as long as it takes, I'm going to post the following: "The President of the United States is a liar." Just that line, no more, no less. The goal is to flood social media with thousands of identical posts.
jaywaters.bsky.social
I was in Louisville, Kentucky last week - going to post what I got from the trip.

Steamboat Wheel, Louisville, Kentucky
#classicmono #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #abstract #monochrome #motion
Black-and-white photograph showing a close, symmetrical view of a steamboat paddlewheel reflected in the river below. A bright horizontal axle runs through the center, dividing the dark mechanical spokes above from their shimmering, watery reflections beneath. Mist and streaks of dripping water soften the lower half, creating a mirrored, abstract pattern that blurs the line between machine and movement.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Last image from Joshua Tree and the Cholla Cactus Garden

Cholla and Shadow, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#stunday #classicmono #shadow #nature #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #photography #monochrome
Black and white photo of a brightly-lit cholla cactus casting a dark black shadow on the desert floor.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Today's post from this week's series on cholla cactus.

Chollas and Hills, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#scape #classicmono #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome #photography #joshuatree #BlueSkyArtShow #relax
Black-and-white photograph of a Cholla cactus in Joshua Tree National Park. The sharp, glowing spines of the cactus dominate the foreground, illuminated by bright desert light. In the background, soft hills and a cloudy sky fade into blur, contrasting the intense texture of the cactus with the vast stillness of the desert
jaywaters.bsky.social
From Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree NP

Cholla #5, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#nationalparks #cactus #classicmono #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #photography #monochrome
Black and white image of cholla cactus, turned to the afternoon sun.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Another from the Cholla Cactus Garden

Chollas and Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#desert #nature #cactus #nationalparks #classicmono #blackandwhitephotography #photography #blackandwhite
Black-and-white desert scene in Joshua Tree National Park. A cluster of cholla cactus fills the foreground, their spines glowing white in the sunlight. Behind them, more cactus recede into the distance across an open desert floor, with dark mountain ridges stretching across the horizon under a bright, cloud-streaked sky.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Continuing with images from the Cholla Catcus Garden in Joshua Tree NP

Cholla #4, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#classicmono #photography #nature #nationalparks #cactus #monochrome #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography
Black-and-white close-up of a cholla cactus in Joshua Tree National Park. Several round flower buds cluster at the tip of a stem, each encircled by sharp spines that radiate outward in fine detail. The dark centers of the buds form circular focal points, contrasting against the glowing halo of spines. The background is blurred, leaving the buds and spines in sharp, luminous focus.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Second day of some close-up cholla cactus images

Cholla #2, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#abstract #nature #cactus #classicmono #monochrome #blackandwhitephotography #photography #art #blackandwhite #nationalparks
Black-and-white close-up of cholla cactus in Joshua Tree National Park. Rounded clusters of spines glow in bright sunlight, their dense needles radiating like starbursts, while dark voids between them add contrast and depth.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Yes, some my first posts were existing images, but as I started working with new images and reworking older ones, I leaned more into the dark/contrast look. I like the black in black and white.
jaywaters.bsky.social
I think what I do is art.
jaywaters.bsky.social
So, this week, staying with Joshua Tree, but something different - some closeups from the Cholla Cactus Garden in the park.

Cholla #1, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#classicmono #closeup #abstract #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #monochrome #cactus #fineartphotography #photography
Black-and-white close-up photograph of a Cholla cactus in Joshua Tree National Park. Dense clusters of spines create a chaotic, almost abstract web of lines, with light filtering through to reveal layers of texture.
jaywaters.bsky.social
More #JoshuaTreeNationaPark

Joshua Tree #4, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#stunday #classicmono #monochrome #scape #landscapephotography #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography
Black-and-white photograph of a lone Joshua tree rising from the desert floor in Joshua Tree National Park. Its tall, spindly branches stretch upward against a backdrop of brush, open desert, and distant mountains. A long shadow trails across the ground, emphasizing the stark, sculptural presence of the tree.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Another image from #JoshuaTreeNationalPark

Cactus and Boulders, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#scape #nature #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #photography #nationalparks
Black-and-white photograph of a prickly pear cactus growing among massive granite boulders in Joshua Tree National Park. The rounded pads are sharply lit, casting spiny shadows across the pale rock surface. The contrast between cactus, shadow, and boulders creates a graphic, almost abstract composition.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Continuing this week's images from Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree #3, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#scape #landscapephotography #classicmono #photography #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome #naturephotography
Black-and-white photograph of a massive Joshua tree in Joshua Tree National Park. Its branching limbs and spiky crowns dominate the desert foreground, casting sharp shadows on the sandy ground. Behind it, rocky outcrops rise against a clear desert sky, with smaller Joshua trees scattered in the distance.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Continuing with this week's images from Joshua Tree National Park

Tree on Rocks, Joshua Tree NP, California
#scape #desert #classicmono #nationalparks #monochrome #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #photography
Black-and-white photograph of a solitary tree growing from granite boulders in Joshua Tree National Park. The dark branches rise against a pale sky, surrounded by massive rounded rocks. A yucca plant anchors the lower slope. The textures of stone and wood emphasize stark desert resilience.
jaywaters.bsky.social
This week, images from #JoshuaTreeNationalPark

Limbs, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#nationalparks #classicmono #blackandwhitephotography #bnw #monochrome #naturephotography #photography
Black-and-white photograph of twisted, skeletal tree limbs sprawled across granite boulders in Joshua Tree National Park. Dark branches stretch claw-like against a backdrop of jagged rock formations and a pale desert sky. The high contrast emphasizes textures of stone and wood, giving the scene a stark, sculptural quality.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Second post this week of images from Joshua Tree

Yucca, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#classicmono #photography #nationalparks #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome #nature
Black-and-white photograph of a yucca plant in Joshua Tree National Park. Its sharp leaves radiate outward, casting long shadows across a sunlit granite slab. Behind it, a massive boulder looms, its underside forming a dark, cave-like crevice. The textures of spines, rock, and shadow create stark contrasts.
jaywaters.bsky.social
This week some images from a 2023 trip to Joshua Tree. @pjfinn.bsky.social - wish I had been on BlueSky back then - I would have looked you up and have you show me all the good spots!

Joshua Tree #2, Joshua Tree National Park, California
#nationalparks #classicmono #monochrome #blackandwhite
Black-and-white photograph of a Joshua tree standing prominently in the desert of Joshua Tree National Park. The tree’s tall, branching form rises against a backdrop of rocky mountains and an open sky streaked with thin clouds. Other Joshua trees recede into the distance, dotting the dry, scrub-filled landscape. Foreground brush frames the base, while the central tree appears sculptural and solitary.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Last image of this week's theme of After Dark in the French Quarter

Famous Po Boys, French Quarter, New Orleans
#streetphotography #blur #nightphotography #classicmono #monochrome #stunday #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #photography
Black-and-white photograph of a French Quarter storefront window with the glowing hand-painted words Famous Po Boys. Dark shutters and cracked stucco frame the glass. A blurred figure moves ghostlike across the foreground, their streaked motion contrasting with the static weathered wall and glowing sign. On the left, a lantern and painted cutout of two figures root the scene in New Orleans’ vernacular streetscape.
jaywaters.bsky.social
This week's theme turned out to be After Dark in the French Quarter

Open Door, French Quarter, New Orleans
#streetphotography #nightphotography #classicmono #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #urbangaze #monochrome #neworleans
Black-and-white photograph of a French Quarter doorway at night. Shuttered windows flank a pair of open doors, which reveal the warmly lit interior of a home. Inside, an older man reclines in a chair, his profile visible in quiet repose. The worn plaster walls and shadows emphasize the intimacy and stillness of the scene.
jaywaters.bsky.social
Another image from after dark in the French Quarter - this one a bit spooky

Figure, Ritz-Carlton, French Quarter, New Orleans
#streetphotography #nightphotography #spooky #classicmono #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #urbangaze #monochrome
Black-and-white photograph of a tall hotel façade in the French Quarter, shot from a low angle at night. The ornate upper cornice and rows of rectangular windows rise sharply into the dark sky. A single illuminated window at the lower right reveals the silhouette of a solitary figure, their presence uncanny against the monumental architecture.