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Writing * Photography * Contemplation

Contemplating the Abstract

I spent some time on a website this morning.  Micheal Warren Photography.  Nice stuff.  I always like to look at other people’s artistic works and experience their view of the world.

In one of his images in the background was a quote by Lucian Freud.  Apparently Lucian is a British painter – someone whose work I’m completely unfamiliar with.  But I liked the quote which got me thinking.

“The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and ironically, more real.”

I’ve found this to be quite true and love to play with it in my photography.  When I was younger I loved those picture puzzles found in the back of children’s magazines such as Highlights for Kids.  You know the kind.  A partial up-close picture of a wheel that didn’t look like a wheel.  Remember?  I LOVED those!

I find the richest source of these kinds of images in the every day, like the park bench that didn’t look like a park bench.  I also like shadows and patterns.

Have you ever contemplated an object so long it became abstract?  Like FU, it can become addictive!  Keep your eyes open and study!  Look and see!  You never know what you might find, like this ying yang-like pattern in the sand.

Pattern in sand with a stone

Therese Kay is an author and photographer residing in Massachusetts. She loves the contemplative practices of visio divina and contemplative photography. She often writes about and teaches them to others.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. I love your photos. I think you must have such an interesting life, looking at the world with your camera, thinking about the visual as well as the meanings behind the visual. I love your link between images and thoughts/words.

    I could see your photos and musings in a high quality coffee table sort of book!

    Always a delight to visit your blog.

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