Father Pitt

Tag: Monochrome

Eberhardt & Ober Brewery, Dutchtown

These pictures were taken in 1999 with a Lubitel twin-lens-reflex camera, and old Pa Pitt just happened to run across them a while ago. Very little has changed, and we could probably pass these off as current pictures without remark. The main building is one of the relatively few remaining substantial works of Joseph Stillburg, who for a while was one of the major architectural forces in Pittsburgh. His buildings occupied prominent locations, and most of them were therefore replaced later by even bigger buildings.

February 1, 2025
United Steelworkers Building

It occurred to old Pa Pitt this afternoon that he had never seen a complete picture of the front of this building. It took several photographs and some technical fussing to get the composite picture above, but here you are.

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS.

We also have pictures of the building from Mount Washington and from Gateway Center Park, as well as pictures of the base of the building.

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January 25, 2025
A Monochromatic Stroll on Firwood Drive in Cedarhurst Manor, Mount Lebanon

Cedarhurst Manor began to fill up in about 1930, though much of it was empty until after the Second World War. The block of Firwood Avenue just off Bower Hill Road has a representative mixture of houses from the 1930s and early 1940s. Since it was a dim day anyway, we present these pictures in black and white, which makes it easy to compare the forms and masses of the houses without being distracted by details of color.

This house seems to have been a builder’s standard design; it is almost identical except in material to the house next to it.

Nikon COOLPIX P100.

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January 9, 2025
Bookstore After Dark

The White Whale bookstore in Bloomfield. This is Father Pitt’s attempt at applying the principles of De Stijl to photography.

December 2, 2024
Ohio Valley Trust Company, Coraopolis

As seen by a Kodak Pony 135 camera with Efke KB 25 film. The film expired years ago—or rather the printed expiration date was years ago, but the film lives on. Once this roll (which started at 30.5 meters) is gone, however, there is no more. The creaky old Efke factory in Croatia closed down in 2012 on account of “a fatal breakdown in machinery.” The current incarnation of ADOX picked up the formula for Efke’s ISO 100 film, but not this slower film. It’s a pity, because this film produced negatives with fine grain and a wide range of tones, and it was also cheap.

We also have pictures of the Ohio Valley Trust Company building in color.

November 6, 2024
Some Details of the Church of the Ascension, Shadyside

Construction of the new addition was still finishing up when old Pa Pitt last visited. Here is a pile of stones.

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS; Kodak Retinette with Kentmere Pan 100 film.

More pictures of the Church of the Ascension, and some pictures of the church in 2013, when it still wore a coat of black.

November 3, 2024
Abstract Forms in Gateway Station

Is this the oddest subway station in North America? It’s in the race, at least.

November 1, 2024
Weber Apartments, Dormont

Kodak Retinette with Kentmere Pan 100 film.

The striking patterned brickwork of an apartment building in Dormont captured in glorious monochrome.

We also have color pictures of this building and its neighbors.

October 28, 2024
Potomac Station, Dormont

Kodak Retinette with Kentmere Pan 100 film.

Potomac gives Red Line riders easy access to the Dormont business district, which is full of odd little shops and restaurants that make it well worth a visit. Some of the houses in streets nearby are architecturally significant, and a walk through the back streets of Dormont is always pleasant.

October 25, 2024
Neville House, Oakland, in Black and White

We saw Neville House in color earlier. These three monochrome pictures were taken with a Kodak Retinette made in the middle 1950s. Above, the exit from the porte cochere under the building. Below, the main entrance, including the porte cochere and the patio in front of it.

Kodak Retinette with Kentmere Pan 100 film.

Thanks to Bodega Film Lab for developing the film and making it worth taking the Retinette out for a walk.

October 12, 2024