Abstract: Weekly Photo Challenge
“Everywhere is something which could be beautiful…. Abstract, fine art, nature, landscape and portrait photography.”
Florin Constantinescu
This week Ben’s challenge invites us to explore the world of the abstract – representing known objects in a new way. There are times as a photographer when the shape and color of a subject becomes more interesting to the eye than the object itself. In the capture above I’ve reduced the reflection of the clouds on the water as it gently laps the shore to an image that (hopefully) invites further study by the viewer.
All good art is abstract in its structure.”
“You have to have time to be sorry for yourself to be a good Abstract Expressionist.”
Robert Rauschenberg
Further exploring the idea of “air”, some Scottish grasses, perhaps barley, gently blowing in the breezes for which Scotland is so famous.
“To abstract in art is to separate certain fundamentals from irrelevant material which surrounds them.”
Ben Shahn
I loved the quote above by Ben Shahn. The creation of an abstract photograph allows the photographer to withdraw elements of a scene that appeal for many reasons in order to create something entirely new. One of my favorite captures, above, separated the water, grasses and tree trunks of our beautiful marsh from their larger environment. The abstraction showcases the age-old grandeur of the trees contrasted by the ethereal nature of the mosses and flowers around them.
“Abstract means literally to draw from or separate. In this sense every artist is abstract.”
Richare Diebenkorn
Above, a composition of river rocks that drew my eye last summer in the Colorado mountains. The longer exposure highlights the sweep of the water as it pours over the rocks – reshaping the earth as it moves along its way.
Finally, an interesting note on last week’s post. I opened the post with a quote from Ken Poirot. Imagine my surprise when I noticed that Ken had seen and commented on the post as well as linked to it on his own site. It’s always interesting to see how far our thoughts and words travel as they make their way through the ethernet. You never know, do you?
Island Sunset is one of those that evokes an ooooh and ahhhhh.
Love em all though… very cool.
You always do a wonderful job with abstracts Tina! Love these shots.
Really an incredible set of photos. There is almost a different mindset I have when I shoot abstract photos, for me such a difficult thing and doubt I’ll ever be able to see things at the level you’ve shown here. You’ve captured the beauty of the world in a manner most cannot ~ and it seems every new photo ends up being my favorite. Also, very neat story about Ken Poirot and the quote ~ things in life never cease to amaze. Take care Tina ~
Wonderful images Tina! 🙂
Thanks Adrian!
great interpretation for this challenge. i especially love the river and the grasses… and how cool is that connection you had with Ken Poirot! you just never know how far your thoughts and words will go, and whose lives they will touch.
oops, that should say – which lives they will touch. and the first link to my name enough is for the wrong post. this is better 🙂
Very cool indeed Kris – many thanks for your visit and comment!
Beautiful ethereal take on Nature, you have a good eye, Tina. Muddy waters and the lands sunset are my favourites.:-)
Thanks Dina – Muddy Waters seems to be the runaway favorite this week. Must admit it’s my favorite as well
Not everyone can catch the beauty in such beautiful ways. You get it every time.
You are very kind Dor, thanks so much!
I can almost hear the wind sighing through those wind blown grasses, very ethereal. You do abstract very well Tina
Thanks very much Pauline – the grasses do have a way of calling your name!
Muddy Waters and River Rocks are well done, Tina.
Thanks Jane. Always on the lookout 🙂
My favourite among these beauties is Muddy Waters.
Thanks Leya, mine too 🙂
My favorite is the Muddy Waters abstract, but they are all great examples of the theme. I am so far behind in my blog reading! Gotta move on. Have a great day!
Me too John – thanks for stopping by!
Absolutely gorgeous examples. I love Muddy Waters the most. One of these days I’ll take pictures like this! 🙂
🙂 Thanks N.E.W, for the lovely compliment.
The perfect response Tina. Ooooh! Those “Muddy Waters” – you can guess what’s going through my mind 🙂
🙂 Have at it my friend, always a privilege!!
These are stunning examples of abstract photography – I could see a few in a frame on the wall!!!
Thanks so much Nora – I just need a few more walls!!!!
Where are you guys? Would like to talk Cuzzin lee
Sent from Samsung tablet
Awesome images….water air will always rise to the occasion…beautiful honoring! !
Many thaks Trees, glad you enjoyed.
Nice composition of abstract images. That first one is particularly lovely
Many thanks Laurie!
Very nice take on abstraction. Especially liked the river rocks.
Thanks Jane – hope you’re enjoying your journey!
Awesome collection of natural occurring abstract art, I especially like your ‘muddy waters’ !
Many thanks MTW
What an interesting set of pictures for this week’s challenge, and all different. I love the cloud picture – amazing, and well captured.
Thanks WC – that was an iphone shot. the sky was really amazing that day.
Beautiful abstract series! They almost look like paintings!
Thanks Debby – I am more drawn to abstracts that I once was. Glad you enjoyed these.
Amazing Island Sunset shot Tina. Nice group of abstracts…well done.
Thanks Andy – we do get a bit more than our share of beautiful sunsets down here! BTW, shot a 79 last week – first time I’ve broken 80. A banner day!!
Wonderful post, Tina, as always!
Many thanks Sandra!
Tina, an interesting piece on abstract photography. I learned a lot from reading it. I loved the final shot, it is a great representation of not only abstract but also contrast with a little Buddhist thought thrown in the mix! xx
Thanks Grace, glad this one caught your eye and your thoughts!
What a lovely way to interprate this week’s challenge through the elemental substances of earth, water, fire and air. I love the long exposure shot of River Rocks, brilliantly done. Really like Richare Diebenkorn’s quote. So true that each of us are abstract in our own ways and in our art. Abstract, it is whatever we make it to be.
That is amazing that you got noticed by Ken. What are the odds 🙂
What odds indeed Mabel?! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Beautiful abstracts.
Many thaks Ruth
Wonderful post…photos are extraordinary….and your words & thoughts are always so special…I am not surprised that they travel far beyond the immediate bloggers….you truly have a very special MIND & EYE!!!
Thanks April – for the lovely compliment and the continued support!
Beautiful Tina!
Thanks Nicole!
🙂 Beautiful snapshots – make me want to pack my suitcase and go on holiday!
Have a very HAPPY weekend 🙂
Many thanks HappyFace!
The affects in the island sunset and muddy water photos are beautiful Tina, the abstract view in nature is quite appealing
Many thanks LRS – mother nature is indeed a model for us all!
The wind blown grasses have a mysterious look in the photograph. I enjoyed all of them Tina but that one was captivating. Great selections for the challenge.
Isadora 😎
Many thanks Isadora – that shot is from Scotland where the grasses were spectacular!
Happy Saturday, Tina. I love the muddy waters and the photo of the rocks. If you have a moment, would you tell me what you use for storing and organizing your photos? I’m trying to figure out the best way to begin to bring order to my very, very many shots. Thanks!
janet
Me too, Janet. I’m overwhemlmed at the moment. Hope somone can do a post on this subject. 😳😎
Hi Janet – apologies for not getting back to you sooner on this! I think everyone has the same challenge. I use Aperture as my photo filing system because I really like it’s structure buy as you probably know Apple has discontinued it so I need to move to Lightroom. I do back up all of my photos to separate hard drives, and I have Apple’s backup system in place as well. So I have 3 copies of every photo just in case. In addition, believe it or not, I keep a list of what’s on every hard disk in case something is corrupted and I want to find another copy of it. Anal I’m sure but it works for me!!
Thanks, Tina. I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me.
This is absolutely superb
Gorblimy Rajiv, thanks!! 😏
Heh! heh! You are most welcome!
Hey Tina = this is kind of an earth day celebration post too- enjoyed each image for different reasons – and the feedback is about the first shot – yes, indeed it did incite further viewing – and you know – it almost felt like a different dimension. The shore part had a viscous feeling – or the many different ways to read it – and the bits and pieces in the smooth layers added more interest – truly my fav of the post = but each fit so well in this take on abstract – and learned a bit too – about the process for a pro and how one grows…
Hey Yvette, Thanks so much for the feedback – much appreciated. All about the growth, isn’t it?!
si senorita – 🙂
I really enjoyed your wonderful gallery of beautiful photos
Thanks very much Taphian!
You never know!
For sure Ruth!!
All the photos are so beautiful.
Many thanks Mukhamani
Hard to pick out my favorite…
Hard to pick out my favorite…
😄
I love the photo titled Muddy Waters. It’s very painterly. And I like your addition of quotes!
Thanks very much Jane – there’s always someone smarter than I am to quote on any given subject!
Just love those wind blown grasses, Tina! 😀
Thanks Sue. That shot was from Scotland and the grasses were everywhere. Truly ethereal.