Sunday Abstract

I have always felt that experimentation is a key part of my photographic journey, as it opens up the possibility of creating images beyond the direct observation of the physical and into that of our mind’s eye. Part of these discoveries go into the realm of abstract imagery.

I would like to share one of these images from about 8 years ago…

The technique to create this image is pretty straightforward in that I used a bit of linear movement with a 1/6 second exposure. As I wanted to preserve the directionality of the trees, I kept the motion along the same lines presented by those same trees. With a bit of experimentation the diagonal that is near the bottom of the image was preserved, allowing the lower right hand to almost create its own separate space in both color and shapes.

The juxtaposition of the yellows of the leaves and the blue, green and dark orange in the lower section provides a pleasing interplay, giving the eye an opportunity to discover more in the overall presentation.

On the technical details, I shot this with a Fujifilm X-T1, at f/10 to get the aperture to the 1/6 second mentioned earlier.

Author: jansenphoto

A Fresh Perspective Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment. Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael. My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals. Universal Connections My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation. This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections. Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client. And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography! View all posts by jansenphoto