Revisiting Abstract Photography. Part One

Floating

The flowing shapes and restful colours are gentle on the mind

I feel as if I'm floating like a little white feather

which brings me into this abstract scene.

Glistening

When I see something which takes my breath away,

I know I want to capture it right away.

The precise focus of this image at close range makes it seem even more

abstract to me.

I'm attracted to the texture, to the curves and lines and to the glistening

shining areas.

Dreamy

Sometimes I think I can place or recognize something, 

yet seeing it in a totally different context takes away my certainties.

The light colour blue feels dreamy and the shapes of the white areas

definitely feel 'floaty'.

I feel astonishment, enthusiasm and joy.

I'm in a totally different world when I look at this image.

Am I moving?

Is it moving?

Where am I?

Essence

Conveying essence and emotion.

Water is the very source of life.

It could be called the essence of life.

Wherever there is water, there are emotions.

There are tears of joy and tears of many other emotions

like sadness and relief.

This watery jewel I captured above says it all for me.

It radiates from the centre outwards and it touches me deeply.

Removing Labels

allows me to concentrate on colour, texture and shapes

It allows me to go deeper.

I call this image: 'Essence of metal.'

I feel a dynamic energy.

The Essence of Wind

Since we cannot see the wind, but only know of its presence

by what we feel on our skin or what we see moving around us.

Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)

gives a whole new dynamics to the image

creating feelings of movement

which in this case, has created short bursts of energy, imitating the wind.

The colours blend together and the shapes evoke something special.

Minimalism

Eliminating all superfluous details to concentrate

on one particular element

which is the yellow pole and the green circle,

brings a sense of strength to the composition.

***

Abstract photography has taught me to capture the unexpected

and the details which are often overlooked.

The simplest of subjects in our everyday lives take on new meaning.

Recognizing abstracts has become an exciting new journey

which opens my horizons and takes me beyond my limits.

Suddenly, a whole new world opens up before me.

I shall continue to seek out abstracts because the whole experience

excites my senses and increases my creativity.

I become more daring by thinking outside the box.

I take a step out of my comfort zone 

and see things as I have never seen them before.

It's an exciting journey.

Pause, Focus and Connect

PAUSE

Noticing the shapes, colours, lines and textures around us.

Look at things from another point of view

How does that make us feel?

FOCUS

Observing things with an abstract vision

Finding the beauty in flowing forms

without labelling them.

CONNECT

in all simplicity

In photography, I have learned to slow down

and have thus created more space in my life.

I notice more, become one with what I see and feel

and experience so much more joy because of this.

Noticing the importance of light and how it can illuminate my subjects.

Looking closely with openness allows me to connect with all the details

in line, structure and subtlety in colour.

Marvelling at how extraordinary everything really is.

Taking the time to pause, focus and connect

has allowed me to see and experience everything in a whole new way.

Something which has been of great help to me in my quest

for a more contemplative life

was doing a workshop with Kim Manley Ort

called 

Adventures in Seeing.

Please check out the link to find out more.

The Clocks Went Back Today

The days are getting shorter and the clocks went back 

which is great for those who like to sleep in

but for the early birds, like me, it just means I'm up even earlier!

This beautifully illuminated leaf in the late afternoon sun in the park

told me that the big change was coming!

The autumn colours came later than usual because of the very warm

months of September and the first week of October.

On a local walk, I saw a fallen leaf caught in Catalpa pods

The sweet chestnuts are almost ripe and will soon be gathered

and roasted chestnut stands will appear around the town.

Some leaves turn a beautiful shade of pink

and others, like the Ginkgo biloba, also known as Maidenhair Tree

turns a luminous yellow.

I love it when the leaves go from green to yellow to soft orange on the same bush

The Farmer's Markets show off their most beautiful pumpkins

The Hydrangea change colour as the season advances

and even the leaves take on new interesting colours and patterns

Down in the park, the pond reflects the autumn tones

with harmonious ripples

Hanging baskets and urns and window-sills are decorated with

colourful and cheerful chrysanthemums.

It's a beautiful time of the year in this part of the world

and before we know it, there will be snowflakes swirling in the air!

November is quite renowned for a snowfall or two!

I hope that autumn is beautiful, wherever you are.

A Country Girl at Heart

I love all seasons in the countryside

but autumn brings warmth to my heart

and fresh air on my face!

At this time of the year, it's wise to grab the beautiful days as they appear.

Another little train journey

but on a country train this time!

My destination is 'Apples'

and you can see the name painted on the carriage.

Through the train window, I saw the vineyards slowly turning yellow.

The train stops at every little village

I love it!

Here's the village station with a fresh coat of green paint.

Now the walk begins

past pastures and trees and grazing Swiss cows!

A tractor

busy sowing seeds in the freshly turned earth.

I'm heading towards these lovely woods.

I love the feeling of space

adore the silence

and the lack of crowds...

Some leaves have started to fall and decorate the slopes.

Moving forward

Down a little and up again

Going round one bend towards a range of low mountains

Up higher just before the entrance to the forest

A soft path through the trees

surrounded by nature

not a car to be seen or heard.

Coming out of the woods towards glorious fields

Down the hill towards the village again.

This time on a backdrop of the Alps with the lake below.

The little three-carriage country train

which has just come from the village of Bière

(which really is the French word for 'beer')

Goodbye Apples with your green-framed station clock!

I notice a sign up inside the train

This one advertises a Train Fondue

Now that's given me an idea for a future outing!

***

I am definitely a country girl by nature,

but since giving up my car this year,

I have learned to appreciate the practical side

of living in a town... although I often yearn for the calm of the country

I know I can get there very easily by train and by bus.

The public transport is excellent here

and very reliable.

A Steam Train Journey

I've been wanting to do this for sometime and this steam-train experience

was finally organized!

Here is a photo of our steam train waiting for us to climb aboard

in London's Victoria Station.

Look at the comfortable plush armchairs and the white cloth and napkins

on the table ready for us to have breakfast!

Each carriage had a name painted on the side

the one I was in was called 'Amethyst'.

Here's the locomotive. Isn't she grand?

Look at all that steam.

This was at a station during one of our numerous stops.

Steam trains need a lot of pampering

including long stopovers for water, oiling various parts

and screws tightening up and the metal wheels checking over.

Here's the engine driver in the cabin of lovely burgundy coloured locomotive.

The name of our train is Princess Elizabeth

This is a plaque to give a little royal information.

Look at some of the workings of this marvellous machine

Puff, puff, puff

Here she comes after a rather long overhaul.

Champagne before the meal!

We were travelling from London down to Cornwall

on the west coast of England.

I took this from the train as we neared Devon

This is the Brunel Bridge which spans the River Tamar

from Devon into Cornwall

Here's a view down on the river from the train which

is going across that bridge.

Now we're travelling alongside the sea.

It feels quite exciting.

We arrived quite late at night after dinner on the train.

Here is our hotel on the outskirts of Newquay.

We stayed here for three nights.

We were so lucky to have a sea view

and excellent weather.

There were different outings organized each day

if we wanted to do them.

I chose to visit two gardens,

one of which is called The Lost Gardens of Heligan

a most wonderful place to visit.

As a parting photo, here is a pink sunset taken from my hotel room.

***

Here is a short video of the very train I was on

during the 17-20 September period

Steam train video