With a new month approaching I'd like to switch the focus of the group to a new theme - Abstract.
'Abstract' may mean different things to different people, so I'll leave this open to your own interpretation (and would welcome personal definitions).
As with last month I'd like to give members the opportunity to submit considerations for a new banner.
Please submit any images you feel banner-worthy direct to this discussion, remain aware that the banner is restricted to only the central section of the image and can't be edited.
To start the ball rolling here are a few images I took some time ago of reflections in a Boston hotel mirrored glass.
Now go find (or take) your own shots you feel fit the theme and get posting!
As always, please be considerate of other members and comment on their images/discussions as you would want on your own.
Abstract for me means trying to interpret what an image is...without success or knowing what portion or part of the overall object is. Just shapes but nothing really identifiable but can evoke emotion.
How do others define it?
I think abstract photos have to have some elements of composition and color to stay interesting. As Bruce mentioned, a sense of mystery is key here. As far as my banner suggestions, I'll be editing some shots of water similar to the ones below.
https://fstoppers.com/groups/230825/minimalism-abstract-experimental/486...
I think those are great candidates
I have some .NEF files I'm going to go back and work on when I find the time. I'm glad you've enjoyed them.
Love this banner! ;-) Thanks, Alan.
Yes, it's a good fit for theme & format Chris. Glad you like it :-)
I'm not holding on to this definition by any means in photography but I think that abstract could mean, your first reaction (or permanent?) to it is, 'what is that?'
My old obsessions ~
Congrats on getting picked Hunter!
Thanks ;)
Just as an update - I plan to rotate banner images throughout the month based on the following criteria;
1) Quality, relevance to theme and suitability to the banner format
2) recent contributions to group discussions
I feel it only fair that this should be weighted toward those willing to engage in discussions and help others, and shows appreciation for their input in some minor way.
Definitely a good idea Alan. I've only got 16 days left of school until summer. Hopefully I find more time for photographic pursuits afterwards.
Good luck Matthew- now is the time to plan some shots when freedom comes a knockin'
Nope I mean discussions in general. The goal as a community is to interact and help each other. We want to see members' work and hear what they have to say.
Thanks George, it’s great to hear your voice.
Still looking for your best abstract images most suited for the last banner of the month. This week features one of Chris Jablonski's cloudscapes.
June will bring a new theme - Experimental. This will be your chance to post your most adventurous work and should be fun.
I may have to dust off some ideas I tried out last year.
An abstract I have done lately, pretty ordinary, though......
The headline, the name of the group is minimalism, abstract, experimental.
Your shots represent for me mainly the topic abstract. I prefer to see a more comprehensive image representing all 3 items.
What do you think?
I agree in one sense. The Group was initially to be about minimalism and abstraction. The original moderator, Ruth Carll, certainly a photographic experimenter herself, expanded it to the third genre. For me, this separates it from the epic landscape, glamour and automotive images on FS, for instance, to name but a couple.
But these Groups simply provide a forum for posting images in some sort of selective manner, and depend on members to volunteer suitable images for appraisal. There is no pot for the moderator to dip into. It relies on us dipping into our own portfolios, or perhaps creating something with the Group in mind.
I am in agreement with Chris. I believe the original moderator (Ruth) had a vision of a forum where members could experiment, share their expressive works and help one another grow. That is certainly the way I see the group continuing.
To include images that could be described by being Minimal, Abstract AND Experimental would not only be very subjective but extremely restrictive.
In my mind the selection process is very subjective and solely at the discretion of the artist.(If something is abstract in your mind I will certainly respect that)
Hopefully that makes sense
As we head toward a new month I have updated the banner for the next week.
Next month's banner will be based on 'EXPERIMENTAL'. Start digging through your portfolios - I will be accepting any images that you yourself consider being experimental, whether that be a technique that you have tried for the first time, or something completely left field that may or may not have turned out.
I look forward to seeing what folks have to offer.
Thanks for the banner add! For those who haven't seen this before I'll briefly explain:
I was trying to replicate water that had frozen in my car in order to capture the air bubble trails as they traveled through the freezing water before it was totally solid. My thinking was that they more than likely froze slowly. I put water in the freezer but it froze too fast and the bubbles were all clustered together. So I put water in an insulated cup to slow down the process. I took out the cup too soon, the remaining unfrozen water gushed out and left this ice lattice.
This was something that didn't turn out quite the way i envisioned but I was still able to get something from it.
Here's what it looked like SOOF - straight out of freezer ;), no gels