Some dear friends (Ross and Katy) and I have had a lengthy discussion on "abstract photography" these days. I don't really "get it" much of the time (especially for the Mundane Challenge and the Mundane Abstract Challenge) because I'm fixated on abstract being more of a feeling or a tonal quality than on an object I can discern after careful examination. I have learned that perspective plays a good deal in the assessment--it really is important. And I'm gravitating toward an understanding finally.
Sooooo, with that in mind, I tried to capture the moon tonight in mono. Rubbish is what I got, "pants" as they say in the UK! And then I said to myself, "just play with this moon and camera a bit." So I did! I changed settings, longer exposure (and then moved the camera manually to get a trail!). Oh, I was tickled pink with the results. And look, a bit of the moon, but NOT the moon. Abstract or no? You tell me! I love 365. Truly, I do.
@taffy Thanks Taffy, I'm a bit excited to have created something original from a discussion I've had -- love experimenting. May be trying to psyche myself up for Get Pushed in Oct? I'm so terrified--I know, nothing to be nervous about, but truly, it's been a fear all year. Oct, I'm facing it!
@jodimuli no, you are so nice for commenting after finishing a project and taking time off and being such a good all around awesome person! So glad to hear from you!!!! Don't leave for a long time ever. :)
Just got in from a long drive and a short camping trip. I'm whooped, but I need to comment on this one after that last great discussion. You bet it is abstract. No matter what the source, a pattern has been created here, and the method of creation is really original. Well done, and fav for the photo, the method, and the response to our discussion.
@rvwalker Well said! I haven't seen the whole discussion, but judging from Daryl's description and your response, it was a good one.
I looked at this photo before reading the title and immediately assumed it was a macro I love the way you've filled the frame... and wonder if you cropped it. Anyway, whether it's how you framed it from the get-go or how you cropped it later, it's just right, IMHO. It's everything you so beautifully described—the moon, but *not* the moon. Fav from me too.
I have to add too that I'm highly envious right now. My phojo's at an all-time low, and I can hardly bring myself to post my *best* candidates from the past week's meager Lightroom folders.
@squamloon Jim, this discussion actually started with this photo http://365project.org/darylo/365/2013-07-11 with @grammyn and others after @orangecrush issued one of his famous "One Night Stands" and assigned "abstract photography"--see the first of many discussions I had with Katy in particular (who has stuck with me since that time -- very patient that Katy -- because I have been a stubborn "I don't get it" gal). I have to say many people have chimed in on this discussion, but the latest one with Ross @rvwalker and Katy really brought everything into focus (and that's a little funny, since I don't think of abstract as focused). What nice 365 friends I have!
Regarding your question on cropping, it's not cropped. When I made the beams manually, I used the lens like a brush, trying to get a full "swoop" or circle (actually, I was initially trying to create a "four" for the theme challenge but that was a disaster)--I wanted a spiral, but it went outside the frame BUT back in--so it created that part for me! My edits on the photo according to lightroom are mostly with a bit of luminance, clarity (to pull out the moon's features, but not much) and then to give some contrast. Oh, and apparently my lens is dirty, so I used spot removal for 3 glaring spots (Ididn't know how to use the tool, and still don't know how, but miraculously, I hit the right button on the 3rd try).
Your phojo will come back--I'm in ebbandflophojo--I'm joining Get Pushed in October because I want my last three months to reflect my "growth" in the year. I'm also in a weird work situation that has me frustrated and I need something "good" to focus on--that would be 365. This response is too long. Sorry. Your response really was such a nice thing to receive.
I love what you have done here!! FAV
I looked at this photo before reading the title and immediately assumed it was a macro I love the way you've filled the frame... and wonder if you cropped it. Anyway, whether it's how you framed it from the get-go or how you cropped it later, it's just right, IMHO. It's everything you so beautifully described—the moon, but *not* the moon. Fav from me too.
You're on a roll, Daryl;. Well done.
Regarding your question on cropping, it's not cropped. When I made the beams manually, I used the lens like a brush, trying to get a full "swoop" or circle (actually, I was initially trying to create a "four" for the theme challenge but that was a disaster)--I wanted a spiral, but it went outside the frame BUT back in--so it created that part for me! My edits on the photo according to lightroom are mostly with a bit of luminance, clarity (to pull out the moon's features, but not much) and then to give some contrast. Oh, and apparently my lens is dirty, so I used spot removal for 3 glaring spots (Ididn't know how to use the tool, and still don't know how, but miraculously, I hit the right button on the 3rd try).
Your phojo will come back--I'm in ebbandflophojo--I'm joining Get Pushed in October because I want my last three months to reflect my "growth" in the year. I'm also in a weird work situation that has me frustrated and I need something "good" to focus on--that would be 365. This response is too long. Sorry. Your response really was such a nice thing to receive.
Not too long at all, and psyched for you that your spot remover angst is conquered.
Now, if I could remember that last button I hit to remove the spot. :/