I've long been interested in abstract and minimalist photographic images, and was very pleased when Ruth Carll set up this site. Alan has continued an active role as moderator, for which I am very grateful.
I've tended to only post "finished", portfolio-worthy images and been a bit risk-averse in that regard, not posting anything remotely "experimental" to date.
Asian scroll paintings and their distinctive, "floating" perspective appeal to me greatly. A long time ago, Alan posted a tree image, "Solitary" where as I recall he edited out some unattractive background... which got me thinking. The tree had the twisted look beloved ot the Asian artists, and I found myself playing around with it as below, with these scrolls in mind. In the meantime, I saw an exhibition of Yang Yongliang's work, which blew me away - beautiful scroll paintings at first glance, but a modern, somewhat horrific dystopia on closer examination. Check him out.
Finally, I decided to make scroll-like images using photographs as the raw material, and am reasonably pleased with results so far, considering it's my first foray. The waterfall image isn't quite right yet, especially in terms of composition. I'll leave the dystopic aspect for now!
What I've concluded is that it's probably best to use images taken with this in mind in the first place, as the images I had available had too little margin around the main subject, so I had to add white borders and then feather the edges, which tended to erode the main image too much. Something to motivate me next time I go into the field.
Thanks for the inspiration, Alan - and everything else.
Thanks for posting Chris - it's always great to hear your perspective on things.
It's funny you mentioning that you only tend to post portfolio-worthy images to the group. I tend to do the opposite - posting images where a second set of eyes may catch something I've missed (and hopefully make portfolio-worthy), or the results of experimentation to perhaps provide ideas, a sense of what works and doesn't, or simply to generate discussion with members.
Wow, the image you reference goes way back, you have some memory.
I really like the personal additions you have added, they do have that sense of Asian scroll paintings - I think you onto something here.
These really shine when using the magnify option (ie click on image) and they are set against a black background.
It's great to see you experimenting, and sharing those results. I'll have to check out Yang Yongliang's work, thanks for providing that reference.
These are really neat, Chris. Like Alan said, they really pop when showing on a black background after clicking on them. I checked out Yang Yongliang's work right after reading your post. You definitely captured that look. I do like the solitary, floating perspective, and you got it here.
The 5th image down (trees slightly bending to the left) - how did you achieve that "dystopian" effect?
Hope you are well in your part of the world!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for your detailed observations. Yes the "scrolls" aren't really visible against a white background. I'd like to frame them a couple of feet long, about a foot wide on the narrow dimension, like the real thing, if I can get them up to that standard.
That fifth image is made from this file, first the SOOC and then tweaked in post as below. The trees were bending in the wind, and I was a bit sheltered lower down the cliff. No tricks! I then added the white background and "chop".
If you like closely at YY's images, his "mountains" are made of masses of skyscrapers, his "trees" are power pylons and construction cranes, and sea mines float amongst his fishermen in one image - they are quite horrific, yet captivatingly beautiful.
Autumn is pleasant here in Victoria, thanks. Just had a quiet garden party with friends this arvo. Hope you're well in YOUR part of the world. Thanks for commenting.