Abstracts

**andreios** · 14-Aug-2018, 17:18

Maris, I really do enjoy your abstracts! Truly inspiring...

**marcookie** · 2-Sep-2018, 18:48

Originally Posted by Maris Rusis

Thanks for the Kudos clieben, marcookie, h2oman. Another mildly abstract scene:

Iron Tank, detail

Gelatin-silver photograph on Agfa Classic VC FB photographic paper, image size 16.2cm X 21.4cm, from a 4x5 Kodak Tri-X Pan Professional negative exposed in a Tachihara 45GF field view camera fitted with a 90mm f8 Schneider Super Angulon lens.

Thank you for posting these.
This last one I had even more trouble in finding the subject. Probably I should not even be looking for it!

**andreios** · 3-Sep-2018, 12:04

Streams of grain by Andrej, on Flickr

This is an older one, but I've never posted it here.. Only last night I dug up the print again and realized that I quite like it...
4x5 neg (FP4), lith print on Fomabrom IV 123

**Tin Can** · 3-Sep-2018, 12:06

Like!

Originally Posted by andreios

streams of grain by andrej, on flickr

this is an older one, but i've never posted it here.. Only last night i dug up the print again and realized that i quite like it...
4x5 neg (fp4), lith print on fomabrom iv 123

**Maris Rusis** · 3-Sep-2018, 16:33

Thanks andreios and marcookie. Here's another one with a hint of abstractness:

Water Lillies, Sunlight

Gelatin-silver photograph on Ultrafine Silver Eagle VC FB photographic paper, image size 21.3cm X 16.4cm, from a 4x5 Tri-X Pan Professional negative
exposed in a Tachihara 45GF double extension field view camera fitted with a 210mm f5.6 Nikkor-W lens.

**marcookie** · 4-Sep-2018, 19:12

I have recently been researching a little bit about abstraction and its definition. This is partly out of curiosity, and partly because of a debate that often comes up about pictures with or without a recognizable subject; in particular if an image with a recognizable subject can be considered an abstract or not---these last last two post above are a perfect example.

So, the dictionary gives three definitions for "abstract":
1. The act or process of separating the inherent qualities or properties of something from the actual physical object.
2. A genre of art whose content depend solely on its form.
3. Something not easily understood or recognizable.

Thus, the definition it's pretty broad and could potentially include both recognizable and not recognizable subjects.

Some pictures aren't truly abstract, but they aren't straight realism, either. They may fall in a category that Ansel Adams called "extractions", a term that he used in place of abstractions for images of small bits or pieces taken from the whole.

I like to indulge in the categorization, but at the end I don't really care as long as the image makes me feel something. I like this inclusive thread being constantly updated with great images. (Thanks for posting, sometimes this forum is like going to the museum for free!)

jp · 5-Sep-2018, 05:48

Originally Posted by marcookie

at the end I don't really care as long as the image makes me feel something.

Abstraction is just one tool toward that goal.
You're on the right track.

Many skilled photographers have sought to mix abstraction and realism.. Check out Paul Caponigro's Apple. He was a student of Minor White who also did mixes of abstraction and realism. I'm also a big fan of Aaron Siskind who I think went a little further into abstraction.

**macolive** · 7-Sep-2018, 23:26

Originally Posted by marcookie

A title this "A moon shaped pool", which does not really mean anything, like for any respectable abstract shot

.
Cropped 4x5 Ilford FP4+ and a red filter. f/45 but still the bottom is not tack sharp.

Fantastic!

**marcookie** · 12-Sep-2018, 18:39

Originally Posted by jp

Abstraction is just one tool toward that goal.
You're on the right track.

Many skilled photographers have sought to mix abstraction and realism.. Check out Paul Caponigro's Apple. He was a student of Minor White who also did mixes of abstraction and realism. I'm also a big fan of Aaron Siskind who I think went a little further into abstraction.

I really appreciated your answer. And thank you for mentioning Aaron Siskind, I had totally forgotten about him (so bad!).

Originally Posted by macolive

Fantastic!

Thanks!

**marcookie** · 23-Sep-2018, 07:13

My second attempt at an abstract dune shot... I titled it "Sand Notes" because the shape of the main feature reminded me of a musical note.
A good exercise in figuring out how light and shadows play on the sand. The shapes change so fast close to sunset.

Ilford FP4+ (cropped 4x5) - 135 Nikkor W @f32

This was taken on the sand dunes in Cape Cod, MA.
Some details about this shot are recorded in this video, where I also talk about travel in landscape photography, and setting an intent when reaching a certain location. Having an intent definitely helped in taking this particular image. During my first visit to Cape Cod, I was shocked that in m any placed it looked like a desert on the East Coast --- and this is what I wanted to show. More videos coming!