Abstract Water Study #8

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 28, 2012141 views9 comments

I've been working on a series of "abstract" water images, both color and black & white. Many of them much more abstract than this one. This is a new style of work for me - and hard for me self-critique - so I thought I'd post a couple of images here to get some feedback.

When I shoot these in color I shoot late afternoon to get the warm light on the water and use a warm white balance, perform a substantial curves adjustment to add contrast to a typically flat RAW file and finish it with a TK "Make it Glow" action.

D90/Nikkor 16-85 @ 85mm/f19 @ 1/2second/circular polarizer.

C&C appreciated.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 28, 2012 at 6:49 PM

The color is beautiful and there are lots of interesting patterns in the flow. But some how it does not all come together for me. Its almost as if there are two different images competing in the frame. But abstract images will strike everyone differently so take this with a grain of salt.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Palmieri on November 28, 2012 at 7:13 PM

I really like the effect on the water and the colors. I agree with David that my interest is divided between the top and bottom. I personally like these images on a diagonal. With that said an abstract image will appeal to everyone differently, so take my critique lightly as well. TFS

Registered on September 1, 2011, 35 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on November 28, 2012 at 8:12 PM

The reflections add a lot to this 'flowing' image. Great shutter speed...

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on November 28, 2012 at 9:06 PM

NIce balance between detail and motion in the water. I like the tonal and color variation in the water. The strong lines make for a nice composition as well.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on November 29, 2012 at 1:04 AM

Hi Barry. When I work abstract images especially, I try to make the most obvious shapes possible out of the abstract subject matter. So that may be lines, circles, triangles, etc. Then I try to make them work together to form a larger shape: a sweep across the frame, checkers, polka dots what have you. I almost draw out the image kindergarten style or envision the image in cubism to let me know if I'm at a stopping point. That's my approach at least.

In going with the above approach, I don't see super strong shapes in either the component subjects or the larger image. In drawing it out, I see something like (pardon me using my keyboard in lieu of a drawing):

~
-
~

Which isn't grabbing my attention as much as I would like.

That's my 2c anyway, hope it is in some way helpful.

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 29, 2012 at 1:45 AM

My first thought was the same as David's. That you actually have two images here and that they don't fit that well together, but probably rock when separated into 2 panos. I think both would work very well and for different reasons emotionally.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 29, 2012 at 3:27 PM

Barry,

I absolutely love this! The combination of texture, motion and color here is just wonderful. Slightly dark and contrasty, but I think that works to your advantage in this image. Excellent!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on November 29, 2012 at 4:37 PM

The patterns in the flow are very nice as is the great color in the water. Compositionally it seems a little fractured to me with the big space in the middle between the sections of white water. To me it might almost be better to create two pano's by splitting the image in half.

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on November 30, 2012 at 12:13 AM

Perfect shutter speed and color as well.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments