March, 2009 | Moore Images Photography

I posted a few abstract photos a few weeks ago and I received several emails and responses regarding the images. Some wondered how did I do it and others just provided comments.

I actually wanted to post information about the pictures when I uploaded them. However, I never got around to providing the story behind the image. Nevertheless, that’s what this blog is designed to do.

I received an email from PPSOP.com, an online photography class I took. The email inspired me to combine everyday elements and photograph them in an abstract manner, thus “creating” art.

As a photographer, there are many debates as to what or how we should compose our shot. There is the “purist” belief that we should only photograph a subject in its natural state. Therefore, any manipulation of the scene by “removing” or “adding” elements is forbidden. However, I believe such unnecessary restrictions confine creativity. Therefore, as a direct violation of this rule, I bought a bouquet of flowers and sprayed them with a water bottle. I wanted to simulate the early morning dew flowers have. This leads me to my latest images.

“Oil and water don’t mix!” This is a saying often used when two opposing parties are unable to work together. However, as a photographer, it is the basis for creating abstract art because literally, “Oil and water don’t mix!”
I used a colorful magazine cover for this demonstration. The cover had many easter eggs in pastel colors on the cover. The soft colors would provide an excellent backgeound. Next, I used a baking tray and filled it halfway with water. After that, I grabbed some cooking grease and put it in the water. The grease remains separated from the water while it floats. Lastly, I placed my camera and a Tamron lens, 70-300mm lens with the macro feature, on a tripod over the glass tray and began photographing the interaction between the water and the oil.

As I began learning photography, I was advised to read photography magazines, websites, etc. and if I found something I really like to try and emulate it. The photographs I took are such an example. However, real growth comes when you no longer replicate other photographs. Instead, you’re motivated from within and you begin to see life in terms of lines, patterns, shapes, colors textures, etc. Then, the key is to capture them and introduce people to a world within a world.

As my journey continues and I photograph these moments, I look forward to sharing that growth with you.

Keep Shooting!

-Roger, Moore Images

The word “Photography” comes from the Greek “phos” which is light and “graphê” which is drawing. Just as we draw pictures with pencils, crayons, and brushes, onto paper or a canvas, photographs are drawn with light onto the camera film or digital sensor.

Any photo needs light. You can have on the best outfit with the most dazzling jewelry, see the most beautiful landscape, or witness the most action-packed sporting event. If your light is not good, you might as well put away the camera because no one will see the image. Therefore, we need a good light source (a camera flash, the sun, studio strobes, etc.). The common trait of the previous light sources is they are stationary while the photo is captured.

Our typical photos are taken faster than the blink of an eye. Therefore, there isn’t much time for anything to move. However, what about photos that require a slow shutter speed? Try taking a picture in a dark room without a flash. The person or image will be blurry because of camera shake or he/she moved. We often discount these images as a mistake or bad photos.
However, what happens when this is done on purpose? What if we want to photograph the light moving? We have seen many examples of light moving in an image. Photos showing streams of light from car headlights or taillights are common examples.

Deborah and Jordyn noticed a small fair near our neighborhood during their excursion into the nearby town centre (we spell it “re” in the UK). Jordyn was excited to visit and experience the many rides. However, I was eager to photograph the rides during twilight to capture the moving light patterns with the background of the cobalt blue sky. Since twilight only lasts for 10-15 minutes. I would have to work quickly.

Two of the images are taken without any movement. They are placed next to the ones with movement to show the difference. However, most of them captured diverge from the normal shots one would take. I captured several rides as they twirled in the night sky. The blurry subjects represent the light forming colorful patterns more interesting than if I took the shots at a normal speed. The moving lights were the paintbrushes drawing the picture. I just provided the canvas.

-Roger

Month: March 2009

Creating Art from the Elements

Drawing with Light