Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Colors

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Exploring Abstract Photography

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.

For more information please visit

http://www.ronbigelow.com.

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

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"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Color Simplify Your Photograph

How to Color Compliment Your Photos

How often do you photograph a scene that you are drawn to, only to look at it on the computer screen and find that there's something about it that you just don't like. You are left feeling dissatisfied, wondering what inspired you to click the shutter.

In this post, I would like to discuss how the effective use of color balance and color simplicity will enhance your photograph, making it more visually appealing.

What could be the problem with you photograph is, it has such a broad range of colors that it is too busy and distracting. A good example is with this desert scene where all the wildflowers are in bloom. An actual scene in nature is viewed differently by our eyes than through the camera lens. As we look at the photo, our eyes do not want to spend too much time sorting out the image. Intuitively, we are drawn to an appealing image and shy away from the others.

Simplifying the scene with colors and including only objects that support the main subject allows our brain to process the image and not become overloaded with information. In the photo "Sugar Pine, Lake Tahoe” notice how the simple scene without color clutter creates a soothing and visually appealing photograph. To me, I feel like I am there, sitting on the bolder, gazing across Lake Tahoe.

On the color wheel you have analogous colors that are located next to each other, for example orange and yellow and green and blue. Analogous colors in a photograph create a soothing look with the scene, giving it flow and a feeling of harmony.

Complimentary colors on the other hand are opposite each other on the color wheel, red purple is opposite to and complimentary of yellow green, where as orange red is the compliment and opposite of blue green. Selecting or isolating complimentary colors in your photograph will accent the scene making it more outstanding. An example is with the photo, "Desert Tapestry" where the complimentary colors fall in the range of red purple and yellow green against the gray sky.

Another example of complimentary colors working well together is in the "Western Tiger Swallowtail" photograph, where the two dominant colors are yellow and purple. The two complimentary colors create contrast and each color makes the other appear more active, resulting in a more dynamic image.

There is no set rule on color choices for photography, just as there are no rules that nature must follow in providing us with such a rich and vibrantly colorful world. An understanding of how colors accent and augment the scene will help to avoid those photos that end up in the delete file, giving you that Oh Wow! moment with your photography.

For additional information:

http://www.photographyicon.com/psychology/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_wheel