Evaluation:

These three pictures has one thing in common: The line in the middle.

It is a great way of emphasizing time and space with this photo structure, where two different textured, colored, patterned, or shaped parts meet each other at the middle. It captures various moments, the stillness of the carpet and the floor, the vigor of the flower meeting the numb, cold brick, and the rising landscape from civilization.

Picture 1, Nature and Civilization

This picture expresses a vigorous, lively feeling by contrasting the texture, patterns, and the color of the two parts. The intersection of the flowers and the brick is very attention-grabbing when you stare into the picture, since it is two different textures meeting each other, it makes us naturally want to see what happens when they meet. After knowing it is flowers meeting a brick, the power of imagination kicks in. It makes us imagine, what does a world without nature, or civilization will look like? The invading shadows of the flower, can even give us a foreboding feeling. Lastly, the color tone is warm, which employs a feeling of autumn, and vigor, where the purpose is to make us have imaginations in our minds, and the temptation of trying ot feel

Picture 2, Growing nature

This picture has the middle line placed at the part where landscape, grass, and the tree started to grow. This gives us the ability to imagine what is happening outside of the photo, what does it look like even more below the brick part? and what does it look like above the tree. The color tone somehow is cold, which makes us wonder, and rethink of the imagination we just had, is it really a great thing that it’s a good thing to civilize nature? in conclusion, the picture not just shows a combination of different textures, it also has the ability to make us imagine beyond the current photo and even reflect on it.

Picture 3, The carpet and the floor

The striking contrast between the carpet’s bold patterns and the floor’s minimalist tones creates a captivating visual composition. This interplay emphasizes texture and depth, evoking warmth and comfort while balancing simplicity. The colors can elicit various emotions—energetic warmth or calming coolness—inviting viewers to explore the aesthetic and emotional layers of the scene. Ultimately, the photo beautifully highlights the power of contrasts in design

My pictures:

Yellow:

An exploration of intersecting, and lines.

Green:

An exploration of intersecting and lines, and strong contrast of colors and textures.

Red:

Top photo: The intersection of plants and brick gives a feeling of the warmth of autumn and the blossoming of life. The warm color tone addresses a vigor feeling, and the similar patterns of the “greens” and “greys” represents the meeting of nature and civilization. Overall, this is a photo that gives people a warm, and calm feeling.

Down photo: The intersection of the yellow flowers and the brick creates a strong contrast, but the color tone is cold, which applies a winter feeling. The invading shadows of the flowers are making us imagine, what a world without civilization, without big cities would look like. In conclusion, this photo gives people a feeling of coldness, but also the toughness of both civilization and nature.

1. Hiroshi Sugimoto and His Abstract Photography

Sugimoto is renowned for his minimalistic and often meditative abstract images, blending modernism with timelessness. In creating your gallery of his abstract photographs, you can find excellent examples in his series such as “Seascapes” or “Theaters.” Here are some curated themes:

• Seascapes: Sugimoto’s seascape series offers pure abstraction, with the horizon often disappearing between water and sky. These images are usually high-contrast black and white, emphasizing form and tone over detail.
• Theaters: His long-exposure theater photographs also feel abstract because the entire film is condensed into a single frame, creating ghostly white screens in dark spaces.
• Architectural Photographs: Abstract in their precision, these photos focus on capturing the essence and stark form of iconic buildings.

8 Photographs he took:

Boden Sea, Utwill (1993) https://www.artnet.com/auctions/artists/hiroshi-sugimoto/boden-sea-uttwil-18

Black sea Ozuluce (1991) https://www.artic.edu/artworks/143166/black-sea-ozuluce

North Atlantic Ocean, Cape Breton Island (1996) https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/173199707_hiroshi-sugimoto-north-atlantic-ocean-cape-breton-island-1996

English Channel, Fecamp (1989) https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2010.436.15

Lake Superior, Cascade River (1995)

U.A. Walker, New York (1978)

Radio City Music Hall (1978)

Seascape, Aegean Sea, Pilion (1990)

2. Photographic Style Analysis

Hiroshi Sugimoto’s work can be defined by several recurring characteristics:

1. Minimalism: His images are stark, often with only two main elements (e.g., sky and water in the seascapes), creating a sense of abstraction.
2. Long Exposure: Many of Sugimoto’s works use long exposure times to blur time and create a different kind of reality, as in his theater series where films become one white frame.
3. Monochrome: Sugimoto frequently uses black and white, emphasizing contrast and texture over color.
4. Timelessness: His photos often feel as though they are outside of time, stripped of modern context or narrative, which can evoke a sense of eternity.
5. Precision in Geometry: His architectural photographs are known for their sharp, abstract compositions that highlight geometric forms, angles, and lines.

Why are these photos abstract?
Sugimoto’s work avoids representing reality as it is and instead reduces it to its simplest elements: light, shadow, time, and form. By focusing on formal elements rather than narrative or subject matter, he moves beyond representational photography.

What do you like about the style?
I appreciate the meditative quality of Sugimoto’s work. The simplicity allows the viewer to focus on the essence of things — how time, light, and space interact. The use of long exposure is particularly interesting because it alters perception, compressing time into a singular visual moment.

Chosen Quote by Sugimoto:
“Art resides even in things with no artistic intentions.”
This quote reflects Sugimoto’s philosophy of finding beauty and art in everyday, overlooked elements — whether it’s the horizon or an architectural line. It resonates with his ability to capture the intangible and elevate the mundane into the abstract.

3. Connection to Your Vision

I’ve chosen Hiroshi Sugimoto because of the serene, timeless quality in his abstract works. This connects to your own vision in photography by inspiring you to simplify your compositions, focus on essential forms, and experiment with light and time. You may adapt his techniques by exploring long-exposure photography or capturing landscapes or objects in ways that feel stripped down and eternal, rather than rooted in a specific moment.

How will you adapt Sugimoto’s style?
I will experiment with minimalism and long exposure in my photography. By focusing on light, tone, and geometry, I want to create abstract images that evoke a sense of timelessness. Sugimoto’s work inspires me to explore photography as a way of representing abstract concepts like time and space.

4. Evaluation of One Image

Chosen Image: Seascape, 1990
This image consists of just a horizon line, water, and sky, but these elements are blended into a smooth, abstract composition where you almost cannot tell where one begins and the other ends.

• Why did you choose this image?
  I was drawn to the simplicity and calmness of this photograph. It feels infinite, with no details to distract, only tones and the horizon line.
• Surprising Element:
  The lack of any distinct subject or focus point makes the image unique. Instead, the abstraction relies on the viewer’s sense of perception, challenging what a “landscape” photo can be.
• Formal Element:
  The formal element of line is critical in this photograph. The horizon line divides the image into two halves, creating a stark contrast between sky and water, but also blends them seamlessly, which plays with perception.

5. Revised Vision Statement

My vision is to capture the essence of time and space through minimalistic and abstract photography. Inspired by Hiroshi Sugimoto, I will experiment with long-exposure techniques and focus on light, tone, and geometry. I aim to create images that evoke a sense of serenity and timelessness, much like Sugimoto’s seascapes and theater series, where simplicity becomes profound. By stripping away distractions, I hope to make viewers contemplate the abstract qualities of everyday scenes.

Annotation: Mosltly lines, shapes, combinations of colors, and strong contrast of colors.

Annotations: Mostly combinations of lines, colors, shapes, and different textures are shown in some pictures.

L1080376: The rusty and field-tested texture gives me a very desperate vibe. The cracks on the top part of the wall leads to small and big holes, making me tempted to seeing into them. The color combination of orangy-yellow marks and grey gives me a feeling of rust, old, and crappy. Overall, this picutre’s color, shape, and pattern combinations give out a heavy atmosphere, and a rusty, depressing feeling.

L1080415: The strong contrast between the total dark shadows and the light outside the window creates a very strong visual effect, making me focus on the bright part especially, and even the obejcts outside of the window. The way how this picture was taken makes me feel like im in a cage, filled with darkness, no hope, and the strong light outside gives me a feeling of hope, but the color tone is grayish, forcing me to think of the future if I go out of the cage, might be still dark, and boring. Overall, the picture can draw people into its self, making us wonder and think about where this picture was taken, and what is outside the window, and what is happening within the window.

Photographer: Aaron Siskind

8 Photos he took:

  Martha’s Vineyard 108(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/marthas-vineyard-108)

.  Jalapa 43(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/jalapa-43)

.  Arizpe (Mexico) 2(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/arizpe-mexico-2)

.  Rome: Arch of Constantine 5(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/rome-arch-of-constantine-5)

   Gloucester II(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/gloucester-ii)

. Chilmark(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/chilmark)

. Providence 57(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/providence-57)

.  Hoboken(https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/objects/hoboken-2

Analyzing Siskind’s abstract style:

Characteristics of Siskind’s Abstract Photography

1. Texture:
   Siskind often emphasizes the tactile qualities of surfaces, capturing details that engage the viewer’s sense of touch and invite closer examination.
2. Bold Color Palettes:
   His images frequently utilize vibrant colors that create striking contrasts, enhancing the visual impact and drawing attention to abstract forms.
3. Dynamic Composition:
   The arrangement of elements within the frame is carefully considered, often leading to a sense of movement and fluidity that captivates the viewer.
4. Simplification of Forms:
   Siskind abstracts subjects to their fundamental shapes, which can obscure their original identity and challenge the viewer’s perception.
5. Layering and Depth:
   Many of his works incorporate layers of materials or visual elements, creating depth and complexity that invite exploration and interpretation.

Abstract Nature of Siskind’s Photographs

Siskind’s photographs are abstract because they often strip away context and narrative, focusing instead on the visual and emotional qualities of the subjects. By emphasizing formal elements like line, shape, and color, he encourages viewers to engage with the images in a more personal and interpretive manner. The abstraction allows for multiple interpretations, inviting the viewer to find their own meaning in the work.

Personal Appreciation of Style

What I particularly like about Siskind’s style is his ability to transform ordinary objects into extraordinary visual experiences. His focus on texture and form creates a sense of intimacy, allowing viewers to discover beauty in overlooked details. The interplay of light and shadow in his work adds a poetic dimension that resonates with me, making me see the world in a new light.

Quotation

 

“The only other things I got from the abstract expressionists is the absolute belief that this canvas is the complete total area of struggle, this is the arena, this is where the fight is taking place, the battle. Everybody believes that, but you have to really believe that and work that way.”

— Aaron Siskind

(https://photoquotes.com/quote/the-only-other-things-i-got-from-the-abstract-expr)

Connection to My Vision

I chose Aaron Siskind as my inspiration because his abstract photography resonates with my goal of exploring the emotional and aesthetic potential of everyday subjects. His ability to transform mundane objects into compelling visuals encourages me to find beauty in the overlooked details of life.

Adapting Siskind’s Style to My Photography

To adapt Siskind’s style, I plan to focus on:

1. Emphasis on Texture:
   Capturing intricate details to evoke a tactile response.
2. Bold Use of Color:
   Utilizing vibrant colors and contrasts to create visual interest.
3. Dynamic Composition:
   Experimenting with composition to encourage exploration.
4. Simplification:
   Abstracting subjects to challenge perceptions and interpretations.
5. Layering Elements:
   Incorporating layers to add depth and complexity.

Inspiration from Siskind

Siskind’s work inspires me to critically observe the world and seek abstract qualities in everyday scenes. His focus on light and texture encourages me to embrace a more experimental approach, deepening my exploration of form, light, and emotion in my photography.

Evaluation of “Martha’s Vineyard 108” by Aaron Siskind

Why I Chose This Image

I chose “Martha’s Vineyard 108” because it encapsulates Siskind’s unique ability to transform natural forms into an abstract composition. The photograph evokes a sense of serenity and introspection, inviting viewers to engage with the subtleties of nature.

Surprising or Unusual Elements

What I find surprising about this photograph is its ability to convey movement and stillness simultaneously. The interplay of shapes and textures creates a dynamic quality, even though the overall scene feels tranquil and reflective.

Important Formal Element: Light

The use of light in “Martha’s Vineyard 108” is particularly important as it highlights the textures and shapes within the image. The way light interacts with the surfaces brings depth and dimension, enhancing the abstract qualities of the photograph. This manipulation of light not only guides the viewer’s eye but also intensifies the emotional resonance, making the image feel alive and engaging.

Revised Vision Statement

My vision is to explore the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of everyday life through abstract photography.

I will take photos in the style of Aaron Siskind.

I am particularly inspired by images like “Martha’s Vineyard 108” and “Gloucester II” and I will try to take pictures that emphasize texture and light, transforming ordinary subjects into evocative visual narratives. My goal is to invite viewers to engage deeply with the subtleties of form and emotion, encouraging them to find beauty in the overlooked details of the world around them.

I personally like this one very much because how the grass is invading the bricks’ space is really creative.

This one is well done but the shape is circle in a circle.

This one was taken at the hallway going out to the field from cafe.

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I couldnt rotate this picture, so if you look side ways it fits the template well.

This is the floor of my house

This is taken outside on the grass field beside the cafe.

There are multiple patterns like this on a keyboard

.  .

There aren’t that much of dots but it fits the pattern well

  .  

Took this last week when I was waiting for my school photo to be taken. The sofa in upper gallery.

This was taken at my home on my old desk. the rubber part and the wood part meets

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This is the light on my wall.

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This is my bed sheet.

In this photo, I think the photographer focused mainly on lines, shape, and color, when these three elements are put together in this photo, the visual effects are very unreal.

I would give this photo a title named:”a dying pupil”. First, because of the eye-catching combination of the formal elements. A circle, lines, if you see these two elements seperately, it wouldn’t be rather “surprising”, yet if you be creative and combine them together, you can eventually have a photo like this. The unique and creative combination of shape and lines has created a photo that somehow looks like an extreme close-up of a pupil. That’s why I would call it a pupil for the title. I also said that the pupil is “dying”, mainly because of the color tone. It has a greyish black and white color tone, which gives us a rusty, old, and decaying feeling. Therefore, I will name this photo “a dying pupil”

The use of formal elements in this photo is very delicate and careful. With the circle in the middle, countless lines are beaming towards it, which creates a very interesting visual effect, which is that, when you look at the photo, you can see the objects, elements very big or very small, both looks very natural. Lastly, the elements are carefully positioned in order to give us a feeling of organization and carefulness when the photo was taken.

Albert Renger-Patzsch, “Fungi Lepiota procera”,https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/285659.

The phrase Formal Elements in photography refers to the fundamental components that make up an image. Understanding these elements helps photographers create more compelling and visually engaging photographs. The six primary formal elements often discussed are line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, and focus.

1. Line

Description: Lines can guide the viewer’s eye through a photograph and can create a sense of movement or direction. They can be straight, curved, diagonal, or implied.

Example: A photograph of a winding road can emphasize lines. For instance, Ansel Adams’ “The Tetons and Snake River” showcases strong leading lines created by the river.

Citation: Adams, A. (1942). The Tetons and Snake River.

2. Shape

Description: Shapes are defined areas created by lines or color. They can be geometric (squares and circles) or organic (irregular shapes found in nature).

Example: A photograph of a leaf can emphasize organic shapes. For instance, Georgia O’Keeffe’s floral photographs highlight the shapes of petals.

Citation: O’Keeffe, G. (1920). Black Iris III.

3. Pattern

Description: Patterns occur when elements repeat in a predictable manner, creating a sense of rhythm and harmony.

Example: A photograph of tiled floors demonstrates pattern. For example, Henri Cartier-Bresson’s street photography often captures patterns in urban environments.

Citation: Cartier-Bresson, H. (1952). Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare.

4. Texture

Description: Texture refers to the surface quality of an object, which can be seen or felt. It adds depth and interest to photographs.

Example: A close-up of tree bark emphasizes texture. An image by Edward Weston, such as his studies of peppers, illustrates texture beautifully.

Citation: Weston, E. (1930). Pepper No. 30.

5. Tone

Description: Tone refers to the lightness or darkness of an image, which can affect mood and depth. It is crucial in black-and-white photography.

Example: A dramatic black-and-white portrait can emphasize tone. Richard Avedon’s portraits often showcase strong tonal contrasts.

Citation: Avedon, R. (1965). In the American West.

6. Focus

Description: Focus determines what is sharp in an image and can direct the viewer’s attention to specific details or subjects.

Example: A macro photograph of a flower can highlight focus. For instance, a close-up shot by Thomas Shahan emphasizes the details in the petals.

Citation: Shahan, T. (2013). Macro Photography of Insects.

Can an image show just one element at a time?

While an image can emphasize a single formal element, it is rare for a photograph to showcase only one element in isolation. Most images will inherently include multiple elements, as they interact and complement each other. For example, a photograph focusing on texture may also contain lines and shapes, as those elements are often intertwined in the composition. Highlighting one element can be the main intent, but the presence of others usually adds to the overall richness and complexity of the image.

Abstraction Photography to me is a style that emphasizes the use of shapes, colors, textures, and especially patterns to create images that may not represent reality in a literal sense.

Instead of focusing on recognizable subjects, abstraction photography invites viewers to engage with the visual elements themselves, provoking emotional responses and encouraging personal interpretation.

By isolating forms and employing unique perspectives, this approach transforms ordinary scenes into thought-provoking compositions that challenge conventional perceptions of photography.

I think abstract photography is good photography that you cannot understand without context.

Abstraction photos and art pieces can have very philosophical titles, and hidden meanings inside them. While taking abstract photos, it is not just randomly taking  photos of things. The elements inside the photo can be random, but the intentions, and context should have a meaning within, or else it would not be called abstraction, it would simply just be a photo taken “accidentally” with no meaning.

The elements in abstract photography should create visual effects, or things that doesn’t occur in the real world, with the things that are in our real world, eventually giving us that illusion like it is unreal.

To conclude, abstract photography should always have a meaning within it, eventhough the elements are random, nor unorganized.