Abstractions and contemplations

In the cave of fire

While getting caught up with my fellow bloggers, I came across Belen’s post, Abstract twirls.  It was timely in that I’ve been playing with fire lately, and turning it into abstract photos.  (If you didn’t click on that link and go see Belen’s abstract twirls, go do so now.  They’re beautiful.  We’ll wait for you.  I promise.)

The original photo on which "In the cave of fire" is based.

I’ve been working on my abstracts through camera movement and then playing with it in Photoshop.  But after seeing Belen’s abstracts and checking out this tutorial she linked to, I decided to take an ordinary photo and see what I could do with it.

First try

Is that cool or what?  (The rest of the photos –unless otherwise labeled — are the abstracts I worked on prior to reading the tutorial which is probably obvious, but I currently hold the title of Captain Obvious and thought I should, well, state the obvious.)

Fire

You can tell I’ve become bored with my own photography when I start looking for different approaches to post-processing.  Generally that means I also need to start looking at different approaches while using the camera.  Change my focus and perspective, so to speak.  It is easy to become bored this time of year when it appears that the color has been leached from the landscape.  The days are gray and rainy.  The brilliance of early to mid autumn has become the doldrums, the waiting for winter.  That’s not really true.  I know differently from last year’s experience of getting outside every day.  There is plenty of  beauty out there if I take the time to look for it.   I just haven’t been in the mood to look for it.  (Note:  I am still getting outside every day.  The camera, however, is not.)

Ice

Or maybe I just need a play date.  All work and no play makes for dull living, or so they say.

Fire etchings

It’s a funny thing, this abstract art.  There was a time when I didn’t like it at all.  Yet more and more lately I’ve been drawn to abstract images.  Perhaps I’m finally ready to visit the Tate Modern without acting like a teenager who has been dragged there by her parents even though I was not a teenager and I was there with my husband and youngest son.  (It’s true.  I behaved badly during my one and only visit to the Tate Modern.  I didn’t throw a tantrum or anything, but I was not appreciative or grateful to be there.)  I’d have to get to London first, of course.

A variation of Fire Etchings

I wouldn’t mind a trip to London.  A long, long time ago (okay, only 11 years ago), M and I lived in London for most of a summer.  It’s one of my favorite cities.  But I don’t see us going there anytime soon.  Then again, you never know.  Life is full of surprises.

Using the tutorial to play with fire and adding my own twist to it.

The rain continues here in the Bogs.  After starting this post earlier in the day and writing that my camera has not been going outside with me, I decided to bring it along so you could see what it’s like out there these days.

Today's glimpse of the pond

The fog rolled in just before I went out.  It’s unusual for fog to develop mid-morning.  Often we wake up to fog or go to bed as it’s flowing in over the lower parts of the landscape.  By mid-morning it has usually been burned off or blown away.

Another glimpse

I didn’t go far today.  It’s damp, chilly, and the ground is very squishy.  Boggy.  Walking at a slow pace is advised.  Otherwise, you might slip and slide on the wet leaves and the mud.

Foggy morning by the pond

The gathering of birds is still somewhere back in the woods.  Perhaps they will winter there.  They’re a chatty bunch, gossiping about the weather and what’s been happening in the woods and putting out warnings about the red-tailed hawk who is hanging out by the pond.

The ducks don’t seem to mind the fog, the dampness, or the rain that came pouring down while I was out there.  It’s a good thing I picked up a rain coat for my camera during our last travels.  It’s actually one of these.  Some hotels give them out with the shampoo and conditioner.  They are quite handy.  Not only is it good protective rain gear for the camera and useful in the shower, it can also be used as a cover for a bowl.

One last abstract

The original (used for One last abstract). They don't look anything alike, do they?

That’s it from the foggy Bogs for today.  Thanks for visiting and taking a short walk with me.  I found some abstracts in nature while I was out and about.  I’ll bring you some of those tomorrow.

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