Abstract: The concept of Focus using a Purple Passion Fruit Stamen & Stacking

[JBW]

And what have you done photographically / compositionally to ensure that that happens?

You seem to have it backwards; you want people to look at your image in a particular way, but do not provide the visual guidance so that happens. The process that I laid out in #18 does not happen by chance, but is the culmination of how the image is achieved from a technical standpoint, how the photographer has arranged the elements of the image and finally how the photographer gets the viewer to emotionally connect with the image. That emotional connection is what has the viewer coming back for a second or third look.

The three steps I have listed are what I was taught in my photographic composition courses:

Step 1 - catch your viewer's eye so that he or she doesn't immediately go to the next image, whether that is online or with a physical image;

Step 2 - draw the viewer's eye with a centre of interest to engage that viewer so that they study that part of the image; and

Step 3 - Once that has happened, the next step that the viewer will take is to explore the rest of the image. At this point, there need to be visual clues that guide the viewer around the image without leaving it. Shadows, curves, all those compositional tools at the photographer's disposal come into play here.

If the viewer finds the image sufficiently engaging, they will probably have a second look, but if not, they will pass on to doing something else.

Manfred last attempt. I do not want them to be able to do what you consider Holy Writ. I want them to have difficulty in maintaining their focus on the stamen. And by all of your account I have succeeded.

[Rufus]

This is an interesting discussion which I am probably the least qualified to comment on, but having looked at the image several times as the thread has developed, I venture 3 thoughts:

1. a tighter crop would have detracted from the purple background which given, the "abstract" in the title, is important.
2. the image would be enhanced if more of the stamen was in focus (this has already been responded to)
3. if the very pale shades just below the stamen could be darkened a little it would lessen the tempatation for the eye to be drawn away from the stamen and subtly coloured background in the top 2/3rds of the image.

I now hand back to the experts...!

David

[AndrewMcD]

That my eye wanders off, away from the focal point of the image failed to convey to me the "concept of focus." With such a beautifully focused and appealing stamen it never occurred to me that the intent was to demonstrate the difficulty of focus. Having said that, now I'm not sure whether your use of "focus" is in reference to the technical aspect of focusing a camera or the ability of one to concentrate on a particular point of interest. Either way it didn't work for me. As with any photograph, even those one might consider abstract in visual content or intended meaning, the challenge remains to provide the viewer with enough cues that they might suss the artist's intent or else they are left to their own visual experience and conclusions. What has been a success for me is that this has been a thought provoking thread.

[JBW]

This is an interesting discussion which I am probably the least qualified to comment on, but having looked at the image several times as the thread has developed, I venture 3 thoughts:

1. a tighter crop would have detracted from the purple background which given, the "abstract" in the title, is important.
2. the image would be enhanced if more of the stamen was in focus (this has already been responded to)
3. if the very pale shades just below the stamen could be darkened a little it would lessen the tempatation for the eye to be drawn away from the stamen and subtly coloured background in the top 2/3rds of the image.

I now hand back to the experts...!

David

David and Andrew, thanks for the input. Maybe the following will help.

""The prospect of being hanged focuses the mind wonderfully" Samuel Johnson

Most of us live in an electrified environment. Within our home, on the streets we walk, or where we work we are surrounded by electricity and all of the machinery it brings to life. Can you remember the overwhelming silence that last engulfed you when the electricity suddenly went off? Instantly you were able to experience all of the sounds and sights that the machinery had blocked from your senses.

Your mind has it's own electricity. Thoughts, emotions, instincts are the electricity of the mind. And just as in the outside world electricity blocks out reality, in your mind thoughts, emotions and instincts block out reality.

Another way to look at it is that an unfocused mind behaves just like Donald Trump: The latest thought is the right thought. With each new thought you turn your golf cart onto a new path.

Learning how to control and focus your mind is what is needed. This is no New Age silliness. Truckers need to keep focused. Machine operators need focus. Surgeons, musicians, a fireman in a burning house or a boxer needs focus. And you do too.

There are many ways to develop focus. Martial arts, meditation, deep prayer, yoga are but a few. Find the way that works for you and get to it!

Brian"

The quote and shot go together on my blog. Combined do they make sense. If not then how could I improve the shot so it does.

[Rufus]

You have now set your image in a quite different context that is not available to someone who simply views the image and title.

I like the thought behind both the image and new context, but have to admit I cannot add any insight as to how the image could better compliment the words.

However, bearing in mind the new context, I now find it best to concentrate my own focus (meditate/stare?) on the stamen and allow the background to just...fade into the background.

I think my next stop should be an exploration of your Shots and Thoughts From The Old Man.

David

[JBW]

You have now set your image in a quite different context that is not available to someone who simply views the image and title.

I like the thought behind both the image and new context, but have to admit I cannot add any insight as to how the image could better compliment the words.

However, bearing in mind the new context, I now find it best to concentrate my own focus (meditate/stare?) on the stamen and allow the background to just...fade into the background.

I think my next stop should be an exploration of your Shots and Thoughts From The Old Man.

David

Please do. Thoughts Tempered In The Crucible, J. Brian Waddington's Photography.

Thoughts, because it is a much older blog that has gone through a fair number of transformations might be more interesting and certainly has a history of my photography.