How to Photograph Outside the Lines
Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking in terms of abstract photography and that might be caused from the flowers staring to bloom and all the macros I've been out taking while enjoying the spring.
I have always been intrigued by abstract art since my early college classes in art appreciation. And unlike so many who consider the medium simple, I shied away from abstract photography because to me it is a much more difficult expression with no set rules on composition. It's like coloring outside the lines and coming up with a meaningful picture.
With this week's post, I would like to explore some discoveries that I have made about abstract photography from master photographer, Ron Bigelow. I was led to Ron Bigelow's website and article, entitled "Abstract Photography" after posting a question on Facebook to artists and gallery directors, inquiring what makes a photograph abstract. What I learned from Ron Bigelow as I paraphrase his words, "is that Abstract Photography relies more on our primal sense of form, color, and curves than it does on detail." Bigelow further believes that "there is no standard, universally accepted definition of abstract photography" . . . that "image detail takes a back seat to form, color and curves. . ."
As I begin to ponder Bigelow's words, I begin to wonder what I am getting myself into since I have always been an advocate of image detail being one of the principles that define a strong photograph image. However, I also discover through Bigelow's article that "the brain's logical processes are more subdued when viewing abstract images" . . ."instead the reaction is much more instinctual."
As Bigelow's words start to incubate in my mind, I look over a number of my photographs and discover that I have been drawn to the abstract in so many of the images that I have previously photographed. As stated by Bigelow, "abstract photography communicates to the viewer primarily through the viewer's emotions." At this point, I become very excited because I have been told on numerous occasions that my images touch the viewer on an emotional level. And to further paraphrase Bigelow, "the abstract form plays to the photographer's benefit because our human emotions are much more powerful than our logical systems."
In the past week, I have been on a sojourn so to speak, to evaluate how my photographs fit in with Bigelow's beliefs. During my teaching and coaching days, much emphasis was placed on the psychological aspects of human performance and I completely agree with Bigelow that color, form and curves evoke strong reactions that are pre-programmed in to our neurological systems.
In next week's post, I will delve deepen in to Bigelow's article and look at the essentials of color, form and curves that make up the abstract photograph.
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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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