Abstracts at Vincentia
One of the things we plan to do a little differently is show you a few photographs in series or related in other ways. In the past I only ever posted one photograph each time I wrote something. I do hope you enjoy.
These three are related by technique and location rather than as a visual set.
My camera is a bit of a pain when it comes to multiple exposures. To add more than two on top of each other, means many button pushes and selections… something that I find destroys the creative process. So one of my students showed me a neat trick of using the high resolution mode to create stacked images.
On my camera I can set a delay between each photograph. This is actually so you can give the flash time to recharge between each photograph. The camera takes eight separate photographs and layers them on top of each other. I set this delay to one second, so I can move the camera between each photograph.
Like all great abstract photography techniques there is a fair bit of randomness in the process. Despite me spending a lot of time trying to logic it out. I love the random quality of how it works for me.
I do have one thing that I have figured out, and that is I like to build an image with the layers. I like to keep adding more and more dark bits on top of each other. I have done that in the second one I have put here for you to see. Not moving the camera very much at all. So the underlying composition continues to shine through.
Underlying composition. That is actually the key. Remember the adage, ‘garbage in garbage out"‘, which comes from the IT industry I think. Anyway the point being that you need to make sure you are starting with good composition. That you work on solid compositional foundations throughout the whole process. If you don’t have a solid compositional basis to start with you will struggle to make interesting and resolved abstract art. Now this is just my opinion. I know you can improve your work in software, with the addition of elements. Though you still need a strong starting point.
I have previously written about how much I came to appreciate Vincentia and Jervis Bay in the last trip I went down there. Much thinking led me to the conclusion that is the trees so close to the water that really did it for me. There was also this sense of familiarity with the vegetation that reminded my of the Blue Mountains.
I am so excited to be returning there latter this year.
Two of my clients have booked a trip in to Vincentia and asked me to dedicate it to Abstract Photography. It’s one of my Escapes. 24th - 28th May 2021 So there is two spots left if you wish to join us. Will be lots of fun, and inspiring.
https://www.lensschool.com/workshops-tours/lens-photographic-escapes
Vincentia Dreaming. Photographs copyright © Len Metcalf 2021
