Part 1: Statement of Intent

Familiar but Unfamiliar

As a photographer, I am drawn to the beauty and complexity of abstract forms. My intent in capturing photographs of abstract objects is to explore perception and reality, making viewers engage with familiar objects in unfamiliar ways. Through this lens, I aim to deviate away from theconventional context of objects, focusing instead on their shapes, textures, and colors. Each image serves as a visual dialogue, encouraging the audience to interpret meaning based on their own experiences and emotions. By emphasizing the play of light and shadow, I hope to reveal the inherent beauty in simplicity and abstraction, transforming everyday objects into thought-provoking art.

Part 2

Weston’s photographs often emphasize the inherent qualities of the subjects, such as their shape, texture, and form. He frequently used close-ups to reveal the details of objects, transforming everyday items into sculptural forms. For example, his images of peppers demonstrate their curves and surfaces in a way that evokes a sense of tactile feeling. His use of light and shadow is a critical element in his abstract photographs. He uses natural light to create dramatic contrasts and highlight the three-dimensional qualities of his subjects. This use of light contributes to the emotional evaluation of his images, adding depth and dimension. He often focuses on organic shapes found in nature. His photographs of shells, vegetables, and landscapes reveal a fascination with natural forms, demonstrating them with a sense of appreciation. The author’s abstractions also evoke emotional responses. His ability to transform familiar objects into something enigmatic leads to a deeper exploration of perception and meaning. This aspect of his work resonates with the viewer, making them to reflect on their own experiences and interpretations. Weston’s technical skills allowed him to capture remarkable clarity and detail. His understanding of exposure and composition played a crucial role in producing images that are both aesthetically enjoyable and intellectually engaging.

What I like about this style is the sharp focus in the subject and the emphasize on lines and textures. It allows the viewer to interpret his image of familiar objects unfamiliarly. The sharp contrast and the use of black and white colors also makes the photo more emotionally detached and interesting.

“Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph; not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual” (Edward Weston).

Part 3

• Form and Texture
  • Weston has focused intently on the intricate, sculptural quality of the subject
  • Transforms a natural, living form into something with architectural and abstract qualities.

• Lighting and Contrast
  • The high-contrast, black-and-white colors creates a sense of depth and volume
  • With the interplay of light and shadow, it emphasizes the three-dimensional nature of the subject. The dramatic lighting gives the image a sense of solemnity
• Composition
  • The composition is carefully balanced, with the organic, flowing shapes filling the frame and drawing the viewer’s eye inward
  • The placement and orientation of the subject creates a sense of movement and dynamism.

• Tone
  • The monochrome color, with its strongs contrasts and gradients of gray, adds a sense of solemnity to the image
  • This tonal treatment heightens the psychological and emotional resonance of the subjet
• Emotion
  • The sensual, organic forms evoke a profound sense of wonder and contemplation in the viewer, allowing deeper personal interpretation and engagement

Part 5

Contact sheet (All photos)

Part 6

Contact sheet (Green):

The reason why I chose these photos are because they fit my statement of intent and is focusing on texture, lines, and tone of familiar objects. While some of my other photos may be mistakenly taken for turns out to be overly exposed or not focused enough. According to the characteristics of my artist’s style, my photos should be sharply in focused and should emphasize on shapes, lines, and repetition. These photos are all the ones that follow the foundation characteristics of my artist.

Contact sheet (Green):

These photos I choose out of my yellows ones are following the style of my artist and is sharply in focused and looks good. They also give a sense of emotional detachment with mostly cool colors. one of the main difference I see in my green photos and yellow photos are the some of the yellow photos may be two plain without much emphasize on the subject, while the green photos contain aspects of repetition of lines.

Contact sheet (Red)

The reason I chose these three pictures out of my green photos are because they strongly align with the characteristics of Edward Weston. They are sharply in focus, they all have a obvious contrast between the subject and background, they all have an emphasize on lines and shapes. Lastly, they also all have a interesting pattern and repetition, making familiar objects seem unfamiliar.

Part 7

• Light and Shadow
  • The dramatic effect, with the interplay of light and shadow, creates a sense of depth and drama within the frame
  • This picture has used the strong contrasts to emphasize the intricate textures and forms of the flower petals
• Composition
  • The image is tightly framed, filling the frame with the lush, organic shapes of the flowers
  • The overlapping and layered petals create a sense of movement and visual rhythm, guiding the viewer’s eye through the composition
• Texture
  • There is a focus on texture, enhancing the tactile quality, making the viewer to imagine the sensual feel of the subject
• Tone
  • The monochromatic palette gives the image a sense of emotional detachment and solemnity
  • The tone of this picture emphasizes the emotional and psychological resonance of the subject matter
• Emotion
  • The organic, sensual forms evoke a deep, visceral response in the viewer, allowing personal interpretation and reflection

Statement intent

The grandeur architectures

The message of my photo will be to appreciate and preserve architecture. The unique beauty of architecture can be seen in the most ordinary places. I want the audience to admire the beauty of their surfaces and their repetitive shapes. I also want viewers to feel startled and impressed by the towering building’s grandeur. For inspiration I will try to find a photographer who explores mechanical objects and buildings; finding the beauty within the ordinary. I want to find photographs that explore tones with sharp focus. In my opinion, we have to respect and appreciate the buildings that surrounds us. Architecture can be grandeur and make us impressed.

Drawing references: 

Formal elements of photography design elements that all image makers should be aware of when considering their image compositions. Formal elements – including line, shape, Repetition/pattern, texture, value/tone, and focus – are foundational components that shape the visual impact of an image and contribute to the overall arrangement and aesthetic of the photograph, guiding the viewer’s perception and emotional response. It is often defined as visual features that when applied,  usually have the potential to transform an image with simple objects into abstract and interesting pictures. They are often used together to organize and determine what the final photograph looks like.

Photo Analysis

（Albert Renger-Patzsch）

This photo is composed of multifaceted elements that interplay to make this photo interesting and compelling.

• Line: The strong, angular lines of the buildings guide the viewer’s eye through the image, leading to the intersection where the structures meet, creating a sense of tension and movement.
• Shape: The geometric shapes of the buildings, with their distinct rectangular forms, contrast sharply against each other, adding to the visual interest and structure of the composition.
• Tone: The high contrast between light and shadow emphasizes the architectural features, creating a dramatic effect that highlights the depth and dimensionality of the structures.
• Focus: The sharp focus on the foreground building draws attention to its textures and details, while the softer focus on the background adds depth and layers to the scene.
• Repetition: The repeated patterns of windows across the buildings unify the composition, establishing a rhythm that enhances the overall visual coherence.
• Texture: The varying textures of the materials—from smooth glass to rough brick—add richness to the image, inviting viewers to explore the tactile qualities of the structures.

Abstract photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element. Albert Renger-Patzsch and Aaron Siskind photographed the ordinary to reveal their beauty. Uta Barth reversed the typical use of the camera, shooting out of focus and Andreas Gursky photographs the repetition of elements. During this unit, you will investigate appropriate examples of abstract photography and respond in your own way.

I believe that the phrase “abstract photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element”  means that the most prominent or significant aspect of the picture is not what it is focused on; instead, the composition or elements around the main subject cooperating to create this picture is what shapes the photo. I think that abstraction is pictures that are extraordinary and unique where every single person has their own interpretations and understandings.

Definition of Abstract Photography Blog 2

I believe that abstract photography is a method of recording and interpreting the world in an extraordinary, unique, and unconventional way whilst emphasizing colors, shapes, patterns, and textures rather than portraying recognizable subjects. By distorting or eliminating recognizable forms, it encourages viewers to engage with the image on an emotional or intellectual level, inciting personal interpretation and exploration of visual relationships. This genre often emphasizes the aesthetic qualities of a photograph, making it a compelling medium for artistic expression.