Focus on Life: Week 18 - Abstract

This week's prompt from Sally over at
the Studio Sublime for Week 18 of
 
 
 
 
"Abstract: the use of a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.
All things have form, color, and lines; we just need to step back and step away from the literal image you see through the lens. Take into account the lines, color or form and look for a more figurative composition.  
 
Take this week and step out of reality and change your view of things!"
 
 
I adore these weekly challenges because they really get inside my head.
 
I realized this week that I might be slightly obsessed smitten with abstract.
 
I love looking at abstract photography - it's some serious business, let me tell you!
 
I came to realize that I 'see' things in abstract form most of the time.
 
I see lines, colors, forms, shapes, images within images and things of this nature with out even trying.
 
This is just the 'norm' for me.
 
Case in point.
In Rome last fall with my sister, while other people were snapping 'normal' pics of the Colosseum, I was capturing these: 
 

 
 
 
Lines, Textures, Form, Shapes, Angles, Colors, Light Play, Images within Images.
 
 
 
 
"Designs", if you will.
 
 
 
 
I love how this line meets that line or how the blue of the sky is shaped in a particular way because of the outline of the stone walls.
 
 
 
 
 
How the clouds have 'soft' lines while the stones have 'hard' lines. 
 
 
 
Or how it seems you're looking through a "key hole", viewing an ancient secret.
 
 
 
 
And even with my flowers,....I love capturing the abstract of my roses.
 
 
 
 
There always seems to be some super cool and interesting shape to photograph.
 
 
 Black dirt from by boys' gold panning trip last weekend. The sand is
surrounding a round magnet and it's making the dirt all wonky!
Cool, eh?!
 
And then, the other morning, as I was ready to get out of the shower, I saw these:
 
 
Can you see what looks almost like 'butterfly wings' in the water droplets?
 
I grabbed my camera and captured what I thought were some totally awesome ABSTRACT water droplets.
 
See how there's shapes within the shapes?
 Lines, forms, colors!
It's a whole other world in there!
 
 
Special Effects with Pixlr - Too Much Abstract Fun!!
 
 
Then, some voice inside my head said:
 
"Sometimes, I worry about you!"
 
I looked up to catch a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror.
 
There I was, in all my glory, naked in the shower, sopping wet, with my camera in hand, snapping pictures of water droplets as they rolled down the shower window!
 
"OMG!!!"
 
I am so lucky my hubby didn't walk in to see that sight because it would have given him just the right amount of ammo to have me committed to the 'Looney Bin" for sure!!
 
LOL!!
 
Someone please, PLEASE, tell me that you've gone to such crazy lengths to capture a photo with out even realizing it?!
 
 
 
Colorful Abstract!
 
 
Be sure to pop on over to the Studio Sublime and see what
perspective everyone else has this week on ABSTRACT!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Over the Moon for Abstract!
Cheers,
~Shel~
 

35 comments:

  1. ha, ha! you crack me up! but those water droplets are so seriously cool!! I love it! and I'm like you on vacation capturing the arcs and lines of architecture! those are wonderful, wonderful pictures!

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    1. Thanks. And yes,...I do love to capture me some architectural lines and arcs!!

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  2. Wow, so many amazing photos! I had a difficult time with this assignment, but you made it look easy. I especially like your photos of Rome.

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    1. Thank you Alice. I was amazed at everyone's photos this week - they were very cool!

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  3. oh my! so many wonderful photos! I think the 'keyhole' pic is my favourite rome photo, and I just love your butterfly wing droplets - like you, I often 'see' something different from the obvious... I don't think we're dotty, we're artistic :)

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    1. Thanks Claire,...yes, artistic,...we're definitely artistic! :-)

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  4. Water is such a compelling subject - whether drops or an ocean.

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  5. Very cool shots! I too, when in Rome a couple years back was shooting the more architectural shots around the city.

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    1. It was hard not to for me as it's such an amazing 'playground' for artchitectural wonders.

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  6. Shel, those are great photos. I'm glad I'm not the only one taking different types of photos on vacation. I always try to get an unusual shot as well. I love the water drops and the photos and would have been worth the embarrassment had your husband walked in. :)

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    1. Thanks Tanya. Yes,....it probably would have been worth it!!

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  7. You are so funny! And a darn great photographer!! I enjoyed every single photo very much. The third Rome photo down - I am fascinated by so many different stone patterns all in one shot.

    And the rose - pure heaven!

    The water drops - out of this world. :-)

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    1. Thank you so much Debi! I was amazed at all the different stone patterns right next to each other, too!

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  8. You have some amazing photos and the water drops are perfect just showing up for the challenge, maybe you will notice them everyday!!!

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    1. Thanks Sandi and yes, I think I do see them every day,...especially now!

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  9. Love those wings and the fact that you caught them...no matter what! OMG! Haaaaaaaaa

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  10. You have an obvious flair for finding the abstract around us. Good job with all you pictures!

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  11. Great shots in Rome, but loving what you did in the shower, sans clothes or not!

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    1. Thank you Marlene. I really do love photos people capture of water droplets!

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  12. Great job Shel. The first pic is wonderful and I like the water droplets with effects.

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  13. Looks like you had a great time! The water drops are cool, but I love the Coliseum photos- you really got some interesting shots!

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    1. Thank you. It was hard not to capture cool pics in a place like Rome.

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  14. The Rome photos are incredibly stunning and the water drops are awesome! Especially the ones you added color to. This prompt made me realize I sometimes look for the abstract. I just never thought of it that way. I have got in some weird positions on the floor to get a shot, but never was I naked, lol!!!

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    1. Thanks Annette. I always thought I was just taking weird angled shots of shapes, etc. until a friend pointed out the 'abstract' thing. I guess mine are more 'real time' abstract vs. true abstract, but they make me happy, so I just keep clicking away! ;-)

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  15. You've got an outstanding eye for the abstract! I'll admit that I'm often capturing shapes and textures too, but you've really got a talent for it. All of your shots are just awesome!

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  16. You and the Italy/Rome..... :) Stunning shots. I love, love the key hole one. And yes, I once stood in the shower with my SLR with it RUNNING to get the sunlight making rainbows in the water. Talk about crazy.

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    1. Oh my Courtney! I am so glad I'm not the only 'shower photographer' in the bunch here!! LOL!! Did you capture the photo?? :-)

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  17. Amazing photos! And I love your bead soup as well!

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  18. Oh yes, been there LOL! My friends think I am a total lunatic with my camera as it is...but they usually do like the results, as I love yours!

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Thanks for sharing what you have to say - I love hearing your comments!