Chasing Light in Monochrome

A Morning with the Nikon Z6III

By Stephen W. Lang

Black and white photography holds a certain kind of magic. It strips the world down to its essence — light, shadow, shape, and mood. Recently, I took my Nikon Z6III out for a quiet walk along the coast and into the hinterland, and what unfolded was a series of moments that demanded to be seen without the distraction of colour.

The first image captures a flock of corellas lifting into the sky ahead of a gathering storm. The heavy clouds are thick with drama, but it’s the quiet shaft of light on the horizon that gives the scene its tension. That sliver of light — barely breaking through — felt like a whispered reminder that even on the darkest mornings, there’s a story trying to unfold. The birds, frozen mid-flight, seem to echo that thought.

From the beach to the forest — the second frame looks down over a dense valley of sub-tropical rainforest. There’s a rhythm in the canopy that only becomes apparent when colour steps aside. Each tree, each layered fold of the land, speaks in tone and texture. This view always makes me feel small — in the best way.

Finally, I returned to the beach. The light had changed, but the clouds still held firm. This third shot captures the sea meeting the sky under a ceiling of shifting greys. The foam on the shore dances quietly, with footsteps pressed into the sand, a subtle reminder that we are always just passing through.

Behind the Lens

These images were taken on the Nikon Z6III using Nikkor Z prime and telephoto lenses. I shot in RAW and processed in black and white to draw attention to the mood and composition without leaning on colour. The Z6III’s dynamic range helped retain detail in both the deep shadows of the forest and the brighter coastal sky.

What I’m chasing in these photos is not perfection — it’s presence. The stillness before a storm. The weight of the landscape. The echo of movement.

Thanks for taking a moment to see through my lens.

– Stephen M. Lang