The Abstract World

I wasn’t sure what I was going to blog about next. I thought and thought about it.  The next morning I was to go on a morning shoot to Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.

My friend and I set out to do some abstract photography of the buildings and water reflections. This is a new thing for us and an exciting one. So I decided that I would share this new interest with you. I have always loved abstract photography, but it is something that you have to be focused to see and do. You have to re-program your eyes to see differently. And we were ready.

All photography works on an instinctive and subconscious level, but more-so with abstracts. When we look at these types of images we don’t necessarily have a rational response. The images are suggestive, sometimes shunning the logical and expected. They are mystifying rather than explanatory, unusual, quirky, idiosyncratic. Their uniqueness makes them very powerful and can engage our imagination very quickly.

Abstract photography is based on the photographers eye. We’re looking to capture something in a way that it would not usually be seen. Looking for the details, the patterns, the lines, the form, shape and colors that complete a subject and utilizing those key features to make an engaging image.

 

To capture an image in nature as an abstract, you don’t need any special equipment – just a camera, and the most importantly, your own imagination. What matters most is that your photograph reveals an eye-pleasing image, whether you can identify the actual subject or not. In fact it usually doesn’t have a subject. Only pleasing aspects that both calm and stimulate your mind.

If you want to try something different – the challenge of making something new out of something familiar couldn’t be better. Take an ordinary, everyday object in your home or yard and turn it into something of wonder and beauty.

You’ll never run out of subject matter. Imagine the possibilities – everything around you is potential material. You’ll uncover a whole new world. I love taking everyday objects and transforming them into something completely different and unrecognisable. It’s a great challenge to go beyond what we see and create an alternative view of the world.

 

There are no clear rules to abstract photography. The object of the photo may or may not be recognizable. Abstract images may contain a small portion of an object or multiple objects. An abstract will often concentrate on a limited area of a subject that reveals a shape, pattern, form, color or texture. Movement can also create abstract images, such as rushing water or the wind blowing a flower.

 

Beach waves at twilight. the camera was moved back and forth horizontally while the shutter was open.

 

In the next weeks to come I will talk about abstracts in detail. I will try to help you see. This is a rewarding type of photography because you can simply use your phone or any camera. There are no rules and once you get the hang of it, it can be come an obsession. Next week “How to look at things differently and zero in on another world.

 

The bow of a boat and it’s reflection.

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.