Fall Color Abstracts, Bishop Canyon, California

I have always enjoyed abstract art. My first introduction to abstract art was seeing, and being struck by Salvador Dali’s 1931 painting ‘The Persistence of Memory’ – it’s the one with the melting clocks. My initial reaction to this piece of art was profound, disturbing, thought provoking, yet enjoyable somehow. It left me with an indelible impression of the uniqueness and creativity that Dali brought to the world of art. Abstract art requires both the artist and the viewer of the art to think outside the box. It requires you to move away from reality and enjoy what’s different. It is creative both for the artist and the viewer of the art. One of my most cherished possessions in this life is a Dali original colored woodcut titled ‘Divine Comedy’, which proudly hangs in my living room today. This fondness for abstract art was recently rekindled when I met a photographer who has a leaning towards the abstract. Her creations are unique in the methods used to produce the images, as well as the final results. I have also been drawn to creating abstracts from what I see in nature, though until recently, these have remained just thoughts in my mind. Going through her portfolio of images inspired me to act on these thoughts during my recent fall colors field trip to the 'backside of the Sierras'.

As a landscape photographer I am well aware that just about everything that there is available to capture with a camera has already been done by someone else – just my opinion. What is left that is unique is one's own composition and the conditions given to you by Mother Nature on any given day or occasion. At the risk of over simplifying a fairly comprehensive subject, as a landscape photographer there are some basic elements required to create a good image – sharpness of the subject, good composition, and the timely  capturing of color and light. When one ventures into the abstract the idea is to somehow find a different interpretation of Mother Nature and reality, which requires thinking outside the box and developing methods and techniques that can produce an image that evokes a reaction and provokes thought outside the well know and recognized paradigms of landscape photography.

The three images below are my first attempt at creating abstract art as a photographer. The first couple of images are created by the movement of my camera while its shutter is still open. The third image was the bringing together of available color, movement and natural elements that are both abstract and real. I am pleased with these first attempts and hope to be able to refine and hone these techniques with time and the blessings of my Creative Muse. Enjoy!

'Aspen's Dance'

'Quivering Aspens'

'Multicolored Lady'