A Monochrome Journey
Discovering Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens Through a Black-and-White Viewfinder
Nestled in the heart of Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone lies a sanctuary of lush greenery and serene beauty — the Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro (Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro). As a frequent visitor, the gardens have always held a special place in my heart, offering a kaleidoscope of colors and textures. I grew up not far from there, and have fond memories of exploring the place with a roll of Tri-X 400 loaded on my Olympus OM-10. I was just starting to see the world through a viewfinder as a teenager. However, my last visit earlier this year was uniquely different, as I embarked on an exploration with my Fujifilm X100V, experiencing these familiar landscapes through a black-and-white viewfinder for the first time.
When shooting a roll of black-and-white film through a SLR camera, you still see colors as you click the shutter. You can only imagine how color and contrast created by light and shadows will translate into gray tones when the film is processed, revealing how the silver gelatin reacted with the light and the chemicals in the lab. The experience of seeing in black and white as I was composing the shots was unique. With my Fujifilm X100V set to the ACROS film simulation, and switching between the built in green, red and yellow filters, I had the opportunity to see the place in black-and-white as I was composing my shots; in real time.
The monochrome perspective invited a fresh perception of contrast and depth, turning the vibrant hues of nature into a magnificent spectrum of grays. The absence of color challenged me to focus more on the details — the play of light and shadow, the textures of foliage, and the intricate patterns that often go unnoticed.
This visit reminded me that even in places we think we know intimately, there is always room for new perspectives and discoveries. If you ever find yourself in Rio de Janeiro, I highly recommend visiting the Botanical Gardens and experiencing its enchanting landscapes through your own lens — perhaps even in monochrome.
