A different perspective

 

The photography group that I lead at the Senior Center, the Senior Snappers, has been following a series of photography challenges. It was designed as a weekly challenge but we have been taking it more slowly, since we only meet every two weeks. A couple of weeks ago, the challenge was "Abstract" which the group found rather intimidating. After all, what makes the difference between an abstract and a bad photo? The definition said, "An abstract photograph typically displays the subject somehow changed not to look realistic, or a picture of something unrecognizable."  The grammar is questionable but you get the idea. Everyone had a different notion of what makes an abstract, for example, a cropped close up or patches of light and dark. 

On the day of the meeting, I showed the group how to make abstract pictures in camera by using a long exposure and moving the camera while the picture was in process. The results were pretty cool. We found that you needed a subject with blocks of color or vertical/horizontal lines to make the most interesting photos. The class had a ball finding things to photograph. I made a compilation of some of the most interesting results and put it on display at the Senior Center.

I think we all came away with a slight change of perspective! As photographers, we get caught up in making tack-sharp images of recognizable people and things. Here, common, everyday objects have been transformed into blocks of color, lines, and swirls. Are these images abstract art? They are certainly unrecognizable but they are also pleasing to look at.  They were not created by AI or in Photoshop, but in the camera, which adds a touch of serendipity. It is impossible to create an exact duplicate of any one of them-try it for yourself!  If you look closely, you may be able to figure out some elements (hint, they were all in and around the room at the Senior Center where we meet) but that's not the point. My take is: if the result pleases you, it is art! Get creative and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!