Abstract is defined as: Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence. As a viewer, I find myself attracted to abstract art and photography because that door is open for my own personal interpretation. Just as one cloud in the sky might look like a turtle to me, it looks like godzilla attacking a skyscraper to my son. We both are seeing the same thing, but processing it differently. As a photographer it is challenging and exciting to leave things a bit ambiguous and uncertain. Focusing on texture, form or color instead of a concrete identifiable image creates participatory art. Wow...I think I just surprised myself with that thought!
Bits of recognizable shapes add a familiarity but it's processing gives it an edgy and abstract feel. It can really be fun to process abstract images because you can go wild....there are no rules.
Sometimes the most fun abstract photos are results of happy accidents. You know what I'm talking about, right? It's the times you completely miss your focus or way overexpose or even click the shutter without realizing it and then the magic happens. While photos are downloading you see that incredible shot that just reaches through the screen and grabs you. That is the attraction to abstraction! Do you feel your wheels turning? Does this sound like fun to you? then please join us and post your Attraction to Abstraction photos in our flickr pool and be sure to tag them with ATA for our INFOCUS selections!
11 comments:
This sounds like a lot of fun! Hey, I'm first commenter. It's because of my early time zone. Many of you are still asleep. Lucky! Okay, happy June 1st, off to find some abstract thingies within the world. Yeah, fun stuff, Leigh!
This will be fun! My favorite teacher is into abstracts, so I have played with this a bit. It's amazing what you can come up with! My problem is that I am so bad at culling my images! I had just convinced myself that I needed to throw more away on intake, when I discovered Kim Klassen, and found out haow many images can be saved with texturea. Then I found that I could make abstracts out of the accidents and totally unfocused ones. Let's face it - I am a photo hoarder! I will never be able to throw anything out!
(but that's only because I'm having so much fun broadening my horizons!)
So, have a fun month playing everyone!
Great post, Leigh
Great post, Leigh and great theme! I like the picture of the ferns! This one will definitely stretch me, but that's a good thing, right?
xo,
Linda
Oh I am so bad at abstract stuff...this will definitely stretch my creativity like Linda said. Happy June!!
Such wonderful images, Leigh! And, I'll confess: I was a bit nervous about what you had in mind with this theme but this is great! It should be loads of fun for all of us in the FOL family. There's nothing abstract about fun ... we can all do this!
Hugs,
Dotti
How fun! I'm with Deanna that this will be a stretch for me but that's half the fun! Stretching is good for us! Happy June to everyone and happy shooting!
Glad it sounds fun to you Pam! I can't wait to see your abstract photos!
That's what's so fun about this...there really aren't any set rules! Go wild!
Yup, a stretch for me with this one too, but that is a good thing. Your images are wonderful and this should be fun! Happy June!
I've definitely done the accidental abstract, but never really shot with abstract in mind!! This sounds challenging and fun!! Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!!
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