Monochrome Abstract

[Mike Buckley]

Now that I am regularly using my makeshift studio, I look forward someday to regularly making abstracts. For now, I am using the studio mostly for making realistic photos. Even so, I'm happy to make an abstract when the situation easily arises. That's despite that I have not yet developed a mindset about making abstracts, as my questions below indicate.

C&C encouraged, as always. Is it abstract enough? Does it matter how abstract an image is? If so, why?

[James G]

Mike, I would say that there are no limits to how abstract an image can be. As someone who is fascinated by abstract, fails spectacularly to generate interesting abstracts myself, I reckon the only measure for me is the interest/curiosity it generates. (I would extend curiosity to include mood or feeling that is generated)
That said, I like your image, for me it sparks questions about texture and movement. Is itsolid like glass or liquid and flowing..... Could easily live with this for ever speculating........

Beautiful , any more? ........ James

[Mike Buckley]

Your comments are very helpful, James. I like your idea that an effective abstract is one that generates interest and curiosity. I'll continue to give that some thought. Thanks again!

[Coinneachmhor]

Having been off line for a couple of months, what an image to come back to Mike! Is it abstract enough? yes, could it be more abstract - possibly? However for me the mix of the light and the lines really caught my attention and I felt I needed to really consider this and take time to enjoy it. My initial reaction was this was water, then was there a glass in there? Had it not been for previous threads with you and Donald and wine bottles I may have been thinking about this for longer. For me this is one for a black frame and a wall for all to enjoy!

[Mike Buckley]

Good to have you back, Kenny, and thank you! You're right that anyone who knows my drinking and photography preferences is not going to have a difficult time determining the basis of this photo. That's one reason I asked if it is abstract enough. Thanks for responding to that!

[Donald]

Kenny - Good to see you back in the mix!

Is it abstract enough?
Does it matter how abstract an image is?
If so, why?

1- Yes
2 - No. What matters is whether it's good or not - Does it attract and hold the viewer's attention? If the creator has made it good enough, then it will get and hold attention. Doesn't matter whether it's abstract, or how abstract.
3 - Not applicable, given the answer to 2

ps - This one's good. I find myself drawn into the detail and once you do that, there is lots to look at.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you for the detailed response, Donald. Very helpful!

[geoz]

Hi Mike,

One of the things I like about abstracts is that the more you look at them the more different things you see. The one you posted does that since sometimes i see the tubes, sometimes the shape of the black space and sometimes the interaction of the tubes. It also has a sense of rhythm like a jazz piece. Very nice.

George

[Mike Buckley]

Hi Mike,

One of the things I like about abstracts is that the more you look at them the more different things you see.

I never thought of it quite that way, yet that seems very understandable.

Thanks also for mentioning the black space, as I paid special attention to that. There was too much of it in the middle, so I digitally "cut" the middle out of the image. That was a first for me.

[pasusan]

Hi Mike,

One of the things I like about abstracts is that the more you look at them the more different things you see. The one you posted does that since sometimes i see the tubes, sometimes the shape of the black space and sometimes the interaction of the tubes. It also has a sense of rhythm like a jazz piece. Very nice.

George

I really like this - that's a good explanation of how I feel about abstracts. And I agree this image is great in that respect. My first thought was wine bottles with glasses attached at the top - just tip the bottle to get the wine to flow into the glass - then drink. What is too abstract is really subjective - what is too abstract for me is heaven for my mother in law (Rothko's black on black series comes to mind).

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for the comments, Susan, especially for reinforcing George's approach to viewing abstracts.