Berne in Black and White

The Adams County, Indiana Amish settlement is one steeped in sentimentality for me.  I have myriad memories, most of them quite fond, from spending time in this community.  The Amish here tend to be quite a bit more conservative than elsewhere, with their own special set of traditions and Swiss customs.  I thought I'd share some photos from the Dave Shaner collection, he recently explored the Geneva-Berne area and came away with some striking black and white images.

Dave is an Ohio-based photographer who takes respectful, insightful photos of the Amish (and lots of other things!).  These photos were taken on a Sunday afternoon.  Sunday is a day when work, the lifeblood of the average Amish, takes a backseat to family and faith and some fun.

These Amish men were enjoying a game of basketball in their driveway.  It's not an all uncommon to see a basketball hoop outside Amish homes.

This seems especially true in the Berne area, which is not surprising considering the rabid hoops fever in most of Hoosierland. Not surprising that basketball spills over into the local Amish.

This is true of hockey in Canadian Amish settlements as well.  Softball and baseball still seem to be the most popular sports in Amish settlements.

Our final photo shows a buggy - one of the classic open buggies of Berne - slowly moving down a country road, probably returning from church.  Driving will always be one of my favorite activities when visiting the Berne area, It's like a ride back into time, when power lines disappear, weathered white clapboard farmhouses are the norm, and crisp, colorful laundry hangs on lines. Beautiful scenes from the Berne area!

Dave explains his choice of black and white film for thi

s shoot:

"I normally do shoot color but when the skies are a milky white and of course this time of year when things haven't greened up yet I tend to go black and white,"   Shaner explains.

I am friends with Dave on Facebook and he is often posting stunning shots of sunsets or wildlife he sees in west-central Ohio. He's a very good photographer!