From my front porch . . .

by Kim

. . .  this happened on Saturday for around the 480th something time. And you know what, it never gets old!

As some of you may know, I've been raising monarch butterflies, (most of them) inside, on our dining room table since the Spring of 2013. It has been an adventure, a journey, even heartbreaking at times.

But, like any journey, even those with a somewhat expected outcome, there is always a factor of mystery to keep things interesting. And I think when we are very young that mystery equates to wonder. It keeps us open and engaged in the moment, sometimes with the same things over and over again.

And then we grow up . . . and we don't have time for mystery, much less the moment. 

Our wonder is replaced with doubt.

With that doubt, we might tend to become a little blinded when it comes to our ability to see, and we start  putting up boundaries and attaching labels.

I read something not too long ago about contemplative photography and how we are shaped by language. How the English language uses mostly nouns to name and categorize things and that the Native American languages rely more on verbs, and by doing so are less likely to pass judgement because they focus more on the process and relationship. I found this very interesting, but when I think about it, not surprising.

We need to deprogram ourselves from looking through the lens at mere objects and instead receive them in a way that is slow and spacious, but leaves no room for doubt.

"To keep both wonder and vision alive, we must learn, once again, to be children."

- Steven J Meyers

"Excellent!" I cried. "Elementary," said he.

 By Kim

"Reflective qualities of a glass bottle"

Strange title for a blog post I know, but if it got your attention it worked. And by the way do you have any idea what two people were having that conversation?  If it's a mystery, don't worry, I'll reveal it all in due time.

Several posts ago I wrote this . . . "My intention is to really dig deeper in cultivating the way I see through my lens that will allow me to tear down the boundaries I have and let me see beneath the expectations, even if I have to look at things sideways. And that perhaps instead of going out to make an image. . .I could let go of all perceived ideas and just participate in the receiving." And at the end of the post I said that I was going to try being a little quieter, a little more still, and try to see what the world would offer up when my view was boundary free. 

And that's exactly what I've been doing, removing boundaries. In fact I decided to pursue something that started to intrigue me a little over a year ago. Something I called "painting with my lens" which also falls into the category of abstract. Along with Terri, Dotti and Deanna, I was also in Kim's 50mm class and it just so happened her next month long class was Going Abstract. Bingo!

"Lines and shapes of a glass bottle"

"Excellent!" I cried. "Elementary," said he. And the rest of the conversation went like this;

"It is one of those instances where the reasoner can produce an effect which seems remarkable to his neighbour, because the latter has missed one little point to which is the basis of the deduction. The same may be said, my dear fellow, for the effect of some of these little sketches of yours, which is entirely meretricious, depending as it does upon your retaining in your own hands some factors in the problem which are never imparted to the reader."  - Watson and Holmes in "The Crooked Man"

And why exactly am I quoting from Sherlock Homes Memoir you ask? Because I think mysteries and abstract photography have a few things in common. Both hold back details of the story or subject and may be based on non-realistic portrayals rather than an accurate representation of an object or scene. The biggest difference though, is a mystery is meant to be solved, an abstract image not so much.

I find that some people don't quite understand abstract photography and perhaps because they are looking for something they will not find. Because not only do you need to remove boundaries and labels to make an abstract image, but you need to remove them in order to view or receive one. Unlike other types of photography where we are trying to imply something or tell a story, abstract is about creating imagery with feelings and emotions that will allow people to see what they want in the image. To be persuaded by color, shapes and lines that will bring an emotional response and one that may be different for everyone.

"The essence of water - a color study"

The fluidity, softness, and ability to reflect colors . . . the essence of water. All three of these are from the same fountain only photographed in a different section as the water came out of the opening. Left and right images were straight on and the middle one was looking slightly above as it streamed down. 

"Abstract - Motion Blur"

I've been making these kinds of images for some time now, and recently started adding the element of people and am thoroughly enjoying it. (You can view another version of this image with a pink tint and the addition of abstract butterflies here called "Walking with Butterflies" on my post Chaos and the Butterfly Effect.)

"Essence of a Daisy"

Abstract photography fascinates me. You can transform ordinary into extraordinary by a subjects very shapes, lines, textures, form and colors through composition. Subjective expression intended to encompass and engage through parts of a subjects reality without always being realistic. As I've been reading more and more about contemplative photography as a form of meditation, the more I see abstract as an intentional form of that for me. There is an openness and a kind of ambiguity in the process that really speaks to me in a world that wants to be closed minded and very specific in its rules.

I also understand that abstract isn't for everyone as it's concept isn't exactly set in concrete. In fact, I'm sure that you would be hard pressed to find any definition about abstract photography that doesn't differ from another. But its my hope that you would keep an open mind, never saying "never," for it's in that state of open that we find wonder and awe for that contemplative space we all seek. 

" . . . life consists of questions and I want to get people to ask themselves questions . . .  What one sees in a photograph is not as interesting as the questions the photographer poses through it."
- Bourbacar Roure Mandemory

Enjoy your day,

Kim