MARCIA SOTIL

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Contouring SF: Black & White Photo Collection

A personal exploration and photographic compilation capturing the magnetic city of San Francisco through a dramatic, high-contrast black and white lens.

Medium: Black & White Digital Photography | Location: San Francisco, CA

Hero image showing a dramatic black and white photo of San Francisco

Thematic Focus

To explore my personal impression of the city, focusing on the dynamic lines of urban architecture, and light that define San Francisco's unique atmosphere.

Tools & Medium

  • Photography: Digital SLR / Mirrorless Camera
  • Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop
  • Aesthetic: High-contrast, classic black and white grain.

Key Challenges

Cityscapes are full of intersecting lines and shapes, especially where old buildings meet new, curved ones. To make strong black and white photos, focus on turning this visual clutter into a simple, bold composition.


The Photographic Process

1. Concept and Location Scouting

The project began with identifying locations that exemplify the "contour" of the city. The goal was to find geometry and structure that translates powerfully into monochrome.

2. Post-Processing

The process was performed with Adobe Photoshop to control local contrast, adjusting shadow details, and introducing film-like grain to achieve a classic and timeless feel.

A sample photograph from the Contouring SF collection

3. Curating the Collection

The final selection emphasized narrative flow, ensuring the collection felt cohesive as a single body of work.