"Fracked" Image # RO-9576
Often when working with my rock abstracts, I will rotate, zoom in and zoom out of these intricate patterns looking for something to make a connection to something other than the literal subject I am photographing. After all, I see this series as not just looking closely at rocks, but how they have a great similarity to images taken from satellites. That to me implies a great connection in the processes of nature – big and small.
Symbolic titles for abstracts also have me with a bit of mixed feeling. In some ways, I would like people to see what they want to see in them, without any guidance from me. On the other hand, I often see very specific things or themes in these patterns, and think part of the art is in conveying that. I am leaning more towards the latter lately, and if someone sees something differently, then so be it. (more…)
Read MoreContinuing my yearly tradition now since 2007, below are my top 10 favorite images made during 2010. Looking back at what was explored and experienced helps not only draw a map of where I have been, but gives directions to the roads ahead. It is a long post, but these end of year ones usually are. This year I feel particularly “chatty.” :-) I hope you enjoy the comments about the images.
2010 Collection
Many famous photographers are fond of the saying about how the camera and lens tend to look both ways. For someone trying to express themselves through the medium of photography, certainly aspects of their own personality and personal vision should come through in their images. I feel at home in these places versus in a crowded street or a concrete jungle. For all of the other important things that our lives become entangled in, there are many things overlooked that are important also. Some things may not be recognized to a particular individual as being significant, but in the grand makeup of nature – these little observations are segments of life cycles going on all around us.
These images not only represent personal growth in vision, but often moments of chance, inspiration, and visualization that have never existed in previous years, and may never again. Many times I have made some of these photographs, and decided “Hey, I’d like to do more of this.” Well, more often than not, the same situation just didn’t present itself again.
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Heart of the Stone
Things have been busy around the “corporate offices” (ahem!) of Graf Photography, with the unfortunate casualty of keeping the blog going. I had to lay off my writing staff to replace them with printing and imaging technicians to keep up with the recent order rush. My accounting department has been busily processing print orders that have been just constant over the past 2 months.
Art sales over the internet is still alive and well. In parallel, my IT department has been scouring the web to find a fitting new blog template as I am growing tired of this one. They submitted some proposals for my review, but the search remains ongoing.
I am thinking of adding some field helpers to the staff. I haven’t been out much since the weather turned cold – freezing in fact. I have to keep an eye on all the activity around here. Some of staff can be quite high maintenance, requiring too much management oversight. But I was thinking about how much more motivated I may be with some helpers lugging gear for me, catering hot beverages and the occasional hot sandwich. I’ll have to hold a few staff meetings on this.
So when the employees have gone home for the night, and things settle down – I get to work on a few images. :-) The recent one in this post I titled “Heart of the stone”.
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Fantasy Tree, inspired by Royal Sahara Jasper
Probably the one thing that has drawn me into making abstract photographs of rocks is pure mesmerization at the details and patterns created by ancient geological activity. I wouldn’t think this is the first thing that comes to mind when people think of the subject of geology.
Who would have thought seemingly benign activities (or to the contrary, grand scale planet forming activities!) could end up in such a way? But as with anything else, it is looking under the surface appearances that reveals incredibly intricate patterns and details. The outside of this stone looks like any brown rock you might kick on the side of the road.
When I think about if I could ever paint (if I could paint!), or anyone for that matter, such a thing from a blank canvas, I gain even more appreciation. There should never be any question why so many artists are inspired by nature.
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Rock face in Katmai National Park, Alaska
You folks probably already know I am a sucker for cool looking rocks, and if you don’t – well – I have revealed my kryptonite. They are pretty cooperative subjects, they don’t ask for much, work for free, and not demanding at all actually. They can look good in a variety of light conditions, do their own makeup, and are fairly reliable. If I go back tomorrow, chances are that darn rock wall will still be there just where I left it. You typically don’t have to worry about them moving much. Can’t say that about many subjects now can ya?
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