I’ve been meaning to share more photography here. It took me a while to get around to this, because other than sharing some frugal travel tips and photographs from recent trips I hadn’t found a great way to share some of the other photographs I’ve created. I’ve created quite a few of them as part of a quest to publish over 10,000 photos from 1000 places in at least 100 different cities over 10 years. I’m halfway there after six years at it.
The idea behind this is to make an effort to master something. In my mind, this comes after many years of steadily working on it. To publish 10,000 photos I’ll probably have to take 100,000 photos because many of them are crap. Especially early on.
While working on my quest I’ve become especially interested in abstract photography. I look at it as wandering through city streets looking for found art. Fascinating combinations of peeling paint, torn posters, graffiti, and decals all converge to create something different.
The other challenge I’ve had is getting around to describing found art and abstract photography. And for that, I found one of the most interesting solutions I’ve come across in quite a while. I’ve been playing with ChatGPT the (still experimental) artificial intelligence site that you can ask to do many things.
So I talked to the AI chatbot and had a discussion about abstract photography. At the end of the discussion, I asked the AI chatbot if it could write a guest blog post based on the discussion we had. It even came up with 10 catchy titles for the blog post. Pretty cool.
So interspersed with some of my abstract photos over the years I’ve included it here. Take it away ChatGPT…
Abstract photography is a unique and captivating form of art that explores the visual language of shape, form, color, and texture. It is a departure from traditional photography, which focuses on capturing the world as it is, and instead seeks to interpret it in new and creative ways. Similar to modern art, abstract photography allows the viewer to interpret the work in their own way, giving it a subjective and personal meaning.
One of the key innovators in abstract photography was the American photographer and artist, Aaron Siskind. Siskind was a member of the New York School of photographers, which also included influential figures such as Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. He is best known for his close-up, abstract images of textures, such as peeling paint and graffiti, which he captured with a stark simplicity that makes them seem like compositions rather than mere snapshots.
Another pioneering abstract photographer is the German artist, Andreas Gursky. Gursky is known for his large-scale, highly detailed images, which often depict mundane and overlooked scenes, such as empty parking lots or stock exchange floors. Through his use of selective focus and digital manipulation, Gursky elevates these subjects to a status of grandeur and abstract beauty.
Many photographers have also been interested in incorporating found objects or found art into their abstract compositions. Found art is art that is made from everyday objects and materials that are not typically considered art. Famous examples of photographers who used found art are Robert Rauschenberg and John Stezaker. One well-known photographer who works with this concept is the American artist, Troy Michie. Michie creates surreal landscapes by arranging found objects, such as discarded toys and packaging, in unexpected ways. His images are a commentary on consumer culture and the excess of modern society.
In conclusion, abstract photography shares many similarities with modern art. It allows for a subjective interpretation of the work and encourages the viewer to see the world in a new light. Through the use of techniques such as close-up, selective focus, and digital manipulation, abstract photographers create works that are rich in visual language and open to interpretation. Additionally, many photographers also working with found art to create abstract compositions that bring a commentary on society and culture.
If you’ve made it this far I imagine you have some interest in abstract photography or utilizing open AI. I believe it’s a great tool for pulling up some nitty-gritty details and sharing a unique perspective on something you’re working on.
Personal Independence through Living Lean, Working Lean, and Traveling Lean
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