Going around in circles

Inside out or Outside in

I love reflection photography. I find reflection of life around me fascinating to watch. Watching it as an observer or as an unobserved bystander makes me see beyond what is obvious. Here reflection of nature tones down serious officious atmosphere inside.

An abstract - Look within

Back to blogging after long hiatus!

Multiple reflections is a delight for any abstract photographer and when I saw it, I could not resist capturing it. I had my mobile camera with me which I used for this shot. Toughest part was to avoid my reflection capturing this shot. What I also found interesting was how the sunlight falling on Yellow wall was reflected in the mirror. And how that Yellow reflections went into oblivion at the end. One and only trick I used in this photo was to flip the original photo to right, so that I can use not only original Yellow wall but also its multiple reflections walking into oblivion in one line.

Locked in!

Here is a reflection I saw of someone in multi paneled glass. What I visualised is fingers peeping out of locked confines wanting to break and come out of tight closed enclosure. 

Creating ripples

Ripples,reflections and manipulation. 

I created an abstract...

Adenium Seeds

Here is an answer to the question I am asked quite frequently. Do I see in abstract or do I create an abstract? This photo represents both. I saw Adenium seeds on a plant. I captured the image using an angle which made it an abstract. I could do it because I saw it in all its abstractness. Once I started editing it , I decided to post process it and made it more abstract. Took away its form and identity and created an abstract.

Day and Night

Day & Night

Abstract is all about seeing. A Window at my home, half of it covered by protection against sun, made me think of day and night.  Little bit of post processing made the contrast stronger.

Beauty of small things of life

One can find beauty anywhere if one wishes to find it. I noticed this scene during my stroll across vegetable market. I found my abstract touched with reality.

Water Abstract - Swimming Reflections

Swimming Reflections

Reflection can be wonderful subject for abstract photography. Reflection wonderfully distorts the subjects whether in glass , water or on any reflective surfaces. My favourite though is reflection in water as water can move giving it further distortion. 

Roof - An abstract look

Being an abstract photo artist, I always notice abstract forms created by subject in front. Here is a close study of wooden roof I saw in Tokyo. Geometry, textures, abstract arrangement of elements all attracted me to it.

Landscape - An abstract viewpoint

Landscape- An abstract viewpoint

Abstract photography is all about seeing. How you see , how you perceive, how you visualise and even experience something in front of you can become a reason for giving something an abstract form. Any genre of photography can be presented in abstract form as far as I am concerned. Here I present a landscape in abstract with touch of minimalism. See this amazing video by John Berger

Geometry of Reflection - An Abstract Viewpoint

Abstract and creative photography

I believe Geometry and Reflection, are two prime elements which can be used for abstract photography. And both I find very interesting to use and sometimes manipulate. In this particular photograph, apart from geometry and reflection, I have also played with my favourite element of shadow. Abstract photography is something where elements narrate something more than what they actually represent. To notice something and then to present it creatively, is something I really enjoy. For me abstract photography is the most creative genre of photography, because rather than resorting to post-processing tools, your thinking process itself results in creativity.

Nature abstraction - Windy day

How do I see nature as an abstract photographer?  I feel nature has some amazing abstract elements that any abstract photographer would love to exploit. Here is an impression of the tree on very windy day. Camera can be as versatile as painter's brush for abstract photographer. 

What do you see?

What do you see?

While walking on the wet sand of Goan beach, I saw the textures created by receding water. As an abstract photographer I am always fascinated by the textures and I try to imagine what I see in those textures. Do you see an elephant skin here? An ear? Portion of elephant trunk? I do see them.

Abstract is all about the way you see and experience the world.

let us move..

Inspired by Roots By Jaume Plensa

When I first saw installation of a figure called Roots by Jaume Plensa at Toranomon Hills in Tokyo, I was transfixed to the spot. Abstraction, motion ,cubism all fascinated me. Caught by the feeling of motion I had sensed, I created this image where I could see figures in motion. Creating an abstract can be very interesting process, where you give life to your interpretations. 

Strokes

I have always been fascinated by minimalism, whether in art or otherwise. Frank Stella said for his minimal paintings "What you see is what you see"" ,which I feel equally applies to photography. Japanese philosophy where emptiness or negative space is  a reflection of clutter free mind celebrates minimalism. Less is more , is not an easy concept to follow in today's world. To tell your story in few strokes is an art I admire. For me it offers more possibilities to interpret and mull over art in front of you.

How I saw...

Facade of a building  with panels presented to me many opportunities to interpret and present it in many different ways. It was a multi-storied office building in Tokyo ,where hundreds of people work for their daily living. I am always surprised by the stringent work culture of Japan, which to an Indian eye seems quite restricting and unfathomable.

This visualisation lead me to edit the picture where bars look closer then they are, confining people inside .Lights inside are on irrespective of hours, indicating the presence of the people at anytime of the day. As I spent sometime looking at this building, idea of confinement grew in my mind and it lead to this presentation.

Do I see in abstract?

Creativity with water..

I am often asked , do you see in abstract or you create an abstract. I feel I always see in abstracts. And as I have an eye to see in abstract, I can also create an abstract from the non-abstract I see in front of me. What helps is an ability to observe beyond the obvious.

Here is a photo of the Lotus pond I captured today. What attracted me is the gradation from darkness to Golden shimmering light dancing on the water. Golden light is still in distant, not so clear and yet beckons towards the bright future, raising the hope. I loved the bubbles which are visible in darker portion. Signs of hope? 

Water can be one of the best subjects to create an abstract. By being bereft of any specific form , it provides ample opportunity for me to give it a form I like. 

As I see

Abstract photography is a way I explore and experience myself. It narrates the way I see, feel and listen to the world around me. When words fail me, I take recourse to photography and it helps me streamline my thought process, which gets reflected in my abstract. 

As John Berger, famous art critic, rightly said, "Every image embodies a way of seeing".

Plastic wrapped garment hung on a stand, represented to me  , something which is yet not revealed. Just a tempting glimpse of something whose time has yet not come. An undiscovered masterpiece?  Something which makes you curious and it raises the need in you to unwrap it.  Like an unsolved mystery. 

Why New Blog?

Storm in a Teacup

Often enough I am questioned, which kind or which genre of photography is my favourite and I enjoy the most.  And without a moment's hesitation I give my answer: Abstract photography. Response is generally a confused stare and more daring one will question "What do you mean by Abstract Photography?" And the discussion continues....

I decided to start this blog as a response to the question and as a homage and showcase of genre I capture and I love.  

When I capture a photo and go beyond routine, usual or mundane by way of manipulation of the subject whether in camera or by processing , I create an abstract art. ( I prefer to call myself Photo Artist rather than  a Photographer, as photography is an art in all its forms.) A simple tea cup stain, routinely ignored by normal eyes and thing to be wiped off immediately drew my attention as an abstract photo artist. I could give it a multiple meaning , whirl wind, storm, Black hole sucking me into its amazing depth or maybe it is just a brush stroke on the canvas! It is anything but the tea stain for my eyes. 

That leads to another question: Do I see in abstract?