Fern spore abstract
There is something to be said for abstract photography… you are not confined by your own preconceptions about reality and known subjects. But to the contrary, you leave yourself open to the possibility that someone just may not “get it” as is often stated about abstract art. Heck, I have been known to stare at pieces in museums and say those very same words, and I consider myself fairly open to the idea of abstract and conceptual art. It wouldn’t be there if it didn’t mean something to someone.
I say that’s ok. It may not lead to someone wanting such an image on their wall, but not everyone wants waterfalls, mountains, or animals on their walls either. I have my own images of known subjects on my walls that I am simply tired of looking at. Yet in many abstracts, I see something new each time I study them.
Connection to an image may not be a connection with the literal subject – it may be with the color palette, the shapes, or just the overall design and feel. Your audience may be reduced from general mass appeal, but the connections that do form may be stronger than you could have ever imagined.
When an image you create is something developed from within, and also makes a strong impression on another , even if just only one other person – I say that is a photograph worthy of existence.
Martina, Chris – a belated thanks!
Hi Mark!
Love the vertical comp. Great mixture of color and texture.
Chris
That’s a wonderful image! I love the selective focus and the different shades of green. It’s incredibly calming and relaxing to look at.
Gorgeous! You inspire me to want to try abstracts!!
Thanks Amber!
I enjoy abstract photography but I also enjoy knowing what the photo is abstracted from and photographers dont always say. I find it much of the appeal to have an image in my head of the thing but be seeing it in such a new light as an abstract. On pbase a while back we had a mystery macro month where we posted two photos per day for a month. 1 photo was the ‘mystery’ (usually very abstract) and everyone had to try and guess what it was. The other photo was the ‘answer’ (a pulled back view so you could see what the item was) to the previous days mystery. It was so much fun I’ve been thinking of making a blog theme when I get some time, although I think I ran out of things to photograph in my house 😉
That is a good idea Suzy. I go back and forth, sometimes I like the mystery of not knowing what it is, and just appreciate it for its graphical representation.
Smart words today – I think you’ve hit the nail on the head about what I’ve been feeling/thinking lately in regards to my own work. Especially the part about reducing the general mass appeal, but stronger connections with the work. The image is simply fantastic. The tones, the colors, the lines, and the subtle texture all combine so beautifully. BTW, I don’t know who says abstracts don’t sell. I see so many in commercial interiors and sell many for that purpose as well.
I have seen quite a few as well Roberta. And typically, I think you have to take anyone’s statement that such and such type of photography doesn’t sell with a grain of salt. I sell them, more than I expected to on some images, and believe I could sell more if I increased my marketing efforts to target that segment. I also see them in medical offices, even though the general “rule” of thumb is that they are not desirable in health care. Another example is Daniel Sroka’s work, quite abstract, quite good, and it certainly sells.
I wouldn’t say Picasso’s cubism works are “mass appeal” – and we all know how well those do. 🙂
I very much enjoy abstract photography. I appreciate being invited to participate in the process. It feels as though you know you have created something so strong that it is bound to send me off exploring, yet you trust me to pick some of my own turns during the search. This one has held me long enough to provide several different pleasant journeys. I have seen jewels in colored light, leaves, a string of insects, a myterious evening meeting, bright sunny mornings, and various other entertainments.
A very good way of seeing it Anita, and thank you!
@Tomas – exactly – I appreciate that bit of mystery that goes along with them.
@Helder, thank you.
@Earl – Yep, I have had that work in a negative way though, once someone mentions they see some particular thing that I didn’t see before, I then can’t get that out of my head. Thanks Earl.
Mark, yeah, that’s happened to me as well, like a tune you can’t get out of your head…but I don’t see it as a particularly bad thing. I believe the imagination is like a muscle…regular exercise is a good thing and sometimes you need to push the limits a little. 😉
One aspect I enjoy about sharing/posting an abstract image is often you’ll receive feedback that reshapes your own perceptions of the very image you created. A number of times I’ve found myself in a place where I’ve said, “I didn’t see that before, but now that you mentioned it…”
A lovely abstract image accompanying this post, Mark.
Vivid colors! Well done! 🙂
What I like on abstracts is that every viewer may understand it a bit differently and still like it enough. This can be applied to any form of art but it is more true in case of abstracts. It is also bigger joy for me to look at abstracts because it makes you think about possibilities every time you see it. Once you see something in it, it is something else the other time.
The photo accompanying this post has interesting “grungy” look which evokes rather an urban atmosphere in me and my thoughts are going in a way… hmm, urban and fern , city and nature .. interesting contrast… 🙂 At least this morning my thoughts go this way.
A photograph that is more or less representational seems to be easily accessible for most people. It is what it is, and that’s comforting. But not everything is what it seems and those abstract works demand attention to be appreciated.
This is a beauty. I would have this on my wall any day.
Exactly why they don’t recommend abstracts for settings like hospitals. Too risky that it would be interpreted in a negative way, a chance most designers simply don’t want to take. And thanks a lot for the comment on this particular shot Ken.
Mark, as you know, I really like abstracts as well. Without a doubt, the audience that appreciates them is more of a niche audience, but one that will probably, as you suggest, spend more time with an image than they might with more defined subjects. I a think a smaller but more intense audience for a portion of one’s work is just fine.
Though, as they say, abstracts won’t sell. But as long as we aren’t making our living from it….who cares!
I agree with you Howard. For sure I wouldn’t make a living off them, but I do manage about 5-10 sales per year on purely abstract work, but even if I didn’t, I still enjoy making and sharing them.
To each his own eye and why I enjoy visiting. Thank you. Life would be boring through a perfect eye.
Thanks a lot Joey, and I appreciate your comment and visiting.