Often people who look at some of my abstract photographs ask, "What is it?" Although I am usually willing to tell them what "it" was, I also suggest that a better question might be, "How do you feel when you look at it?" Abstract photography is not representational as much as it is invitational. It’s about what happens in you when you see it.
Having said that I must confess that sometimes when I see one of my abstract images for the first time that takes my breath away, I can't tell you what the specific feeling is. I just know I really like that particular image. The feeling is more amorphous or perhaps nameless at least in the moment. But something happens in me when I see it. If I work at it, I can come up with the words to name the feeling or feelings.
I think about three major kinds of abstract photographs: realistic abstracts, camera movement abstracts and composites. This one is a realistic abstract in that it is an actual shot of something which because of the subject matter or way it is shot it seems to have an abstract quality to it. This image is that kind of abstract. I like the colors and shapes, the shapes within the shapes and the sense of calm in it.
Next time I’ll discuss camera movement abstracts.