Abstract Photography Beginnings
Abstract Photography might seem like a contradiction however it has a long history. I first got interested in making abstract photographic images when I was on an arts foundation course in 1977. I started experimenting with macro photography after seeing the work of Karl Blossfeld. His ground breaking macro images of plant forms opened up a new way of looking at the world. After graduating I found I had to let photography drop for a period having no access to a darkroom.
Digital and Rediscovering Abstract Photography
Later when I took up photography again the world had gone digital. Freed from the need to have a darkroom and the paraphernalia of wet photography I was able to experiment more freely. At first I followed to some extent in Blossfeld’s footsteps making macro images of plants and flowers. Later these images mutated into the Submerged Garden project. For a period I made images from road markings. I felt like I had discovered a whole gallery of abstract images literally at my feet.
Covid 19
The Covid 19 pandemic with the restrictions of lock downs reduced photographic opportunities. On the other hand it challenged me to find ways to make images from what was around the house. I began to explore the abstract possibilities of everyday objects, shadows on walls, reflections in the black surface of our induction hob.
Everywhere I look there are abstract photo opportunities.
Bit of Camera Stuff
I either use a Pentax K5 or a Pentax K1 mkii For these kind of shots I tend to use a macro lens. Getting in close on an object can have a transforming effect. The shallow depth of field that comes with macro also helps isolate features that adds to the abstraction. I use Adobe Lightroom for the initial development of the image. I also sometimes use Affinity instead of photoshop.
