As you likely know by now I love to create abstract, painterly images. I often find some of my favorite captures in locations that most people might not even notice. This video was filmed on location in Eastern Idaho, however if you’ve attended any of my abstract workshops – you know what I’m looking for! A background in Fine Art and Art History serves me well in these instances, where I can draw on abstract expressionists to see the shapes and colors and contours as something more than a rusty old truck – metaphors and imaginary landscapes abound.
While some abstract captures such as this have gone on to be prints, parts of calendars and more – it’s really the activity of training your eye to see and capture them that is the real value here. Training one’s eye to see the metaphors, colors, and potential of a given shot will only expand your visual vocabulary, and serve as valuable tools in any photo work you do.
Subject to the ebbs and flows of international trade, Valparaiso on the coast of Chile is on the upswing – a mecca for artists, students, and entrepreneurs. I spent the day mostly photographing abstracts for my Photography As Art seminar.
If you are into gritty abstracts like I am, you would love the ancient layers on the walls of Havana. I’ve spent 40 years photographing professionally around the world, evolving both my style and subjects. If you know me, you know how much I dislike being pigeonholed as a fur and feathers guy. Don’t get me wrong; I love photographing wildlife, but delving deep into my art history background has challenged me intellectually and helped me maintain enthusiasm and creativity for the medium. Getting in close to humanity’s coarse and granular surfaces creates photographic art on a different level.
Sunday was my last day in town before heading off to Borneo and Australia for the next couple of weeks. I had a great time teaching a workshop to a wonderful group on Saturday here in Seattle, thank you to all who attended. A couple of good friends and I drove around the ship yards in Tacoma and Seattle looking to see what sort of “found art” we might come across… something gritty, with an edge to it is what was on the agenda today. It was a great day of working these rail cars looking for abstract compositions, and I am very pleased where it all came together.
