Scott Thomas, who blogs over at Views Infinitum hosts a monthly photography project. This month’s assignment is to shoot something abstract. I decided to participate, and below are my ideas.
This was my first idea. I have always defined abstract as something completely unrecognizable. Maybe that’s because I am a child of the ’60s and ’70s and there was a lot of abstract art floating around during my formative years. The Interwebs define abstract as “Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.” So perhaps a photograph doesn’t qualify at all. I don’t know.
After seeing a couple of the images that Scott posted, I tried this idea:
Looking at it after I shot it, I decided that this just doesn’t fit my idea of an abstract photograph. To me it’s more of a pattern. The next morning, I noticed that a small glass-topped table we have on our front stoop was wet from overnight rain. On closer inspection, I noticed that the glass was pretty abstract looking and thought that the water on top made it even more interesting. Here’s the result:
I personally think this is pretty cool. Finally, last night while watching some TV in our living room, I got the bright idea to take a picture of my Android phone after drawing some abstract stuff using a child’s drawing app with which our grandchildren love to play when they visit.
I did a few of these, but this one is the one I think best fits Scott’s assignment.
They’re all lovely but that last one is especially striking. Could it be because the colors appear so pure and the lines so unsophisticated and uncontrived? They’re not trying to be anything other than what they are, and if there is any value in abstract art, it is in that.
I thought it was an interesting effect too. I may experiment more with that at some point. I opted for keeping the image in focus, but I wonder how it would look if it were blurred instead.
I enjoyed your discussion of each choice – it’s fun to listen to someone think out loud about “seeing” options. (And I personally think #3 is pretty cool too.)
I like to read that sort of thing too, Gerry. Thanks for dropping over and for taking the time to write.
A fine contribution! Like Tracy my favorite is the water on the table that forms a fine and beautiful pattern.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by. I certainly agree. I was immediately taken with the interaction of the lines when I saw it.
Pretty cool stuff, Larry. You definitely “get” abstract! My fav is the water on the table….neat-o.
Thanks for dropping in and for the kind comment!
Hello Larry – took a while to find you. Thanks for visiting my abstract images & blog. I am most fond of abstracts in nature, which is counter to the definition of abstract… once something exists as a photograph or a painting drawing etc, it has a physical form/existence… so nothing is abstract? LOL! I like the patterns you’ve shared – abstract patterns – the 2nd and 3rd.
Thanks for taking the time to find me. I guess I need to look at what happens to my comments on Scott’s site to see if I can make it more obvious how to get here!
The third one is my personal favorite. My comment about the definition of abstract was written just to get a response and make people think a little. I’m glad you found the humor in the paradox as I did.
Thanks a lot for dropping by!
Hello Larry ! I like your abstract pictures and the way your thoughts went on as you tried to define this concept. Not always an easy one. I like the third abstract a lot. Well seen.
Isabelle, thanks for the kind and thoughtful comments. That one is really my favorite as well. Thanks for dropping by!