Grapes of Wrath (B&W)

As I mentioned here, I visited the Duoro River Valley while vacationing in Portugal earlier this year.  My friend Laura and I rented a car and drove through the hills overlooking the river, stopping at quintas to quench our thirst (for port that is).  But we didn't just sit and sip our port and enjoy the scenery.  We trekked through the quintas, taking photos.  Laura had encouraged me to experiment more with black & white photography, so I kept alternating between taking photos of the luscious grapes in vivid greens and trying to capture in black & white the contrast played in the leaves by the bright sun and dark shadows, as shown here.

I figured that this little study of mine, in black and white, would be perfect for black and white Wednesdays, hosted by the Long Road to China.  I wish I had more time to tell you more, but work beckons.  But once I finish what will surely be a long work week, I'm going to celebrate with a glass of port.  Seems fitting with these photos.

(Quinta do Panascal, Portugal, photographed in June 2010)