Making Eye Statements: A Secret About A Secret

Sunday 30 October 2016

A Secret About A Secret

“A photograph is a secret about a secret.

The more it tells you, the less you know.”

- Diane Arbus

“Abstraction generally involves implication, suggestion, and mystery,

rather than obvious description.”

- Robert Genn

“Photography is the art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see

and everything to do with the way you see them.”

- Elliott Erwitt

“Abstraction demands more from me than realism.

Instead of reproducing something outside of me,

now I go inward and use everything I’ve learned thus far in my life.”

- Susan Avishai

My topic this week was supposed to have been my experience at an abstract photography course at Fleming College in Cobourg. Alas, the course was cancelled because of low enrolment – my second cancelled camera course this month. Oh pooh, as they say. I was really looking forward to the course because the concept of abstract, non-representational photography fascinates me.

So, instead, I’ve included the thoughts of the above eminent photographers about abstract photography. The images below seem to fulfill their criteria for abstract photography. I include them for your enjoyment – and possibly your puzzlement. I plan to pursue my interest in this area, especially with my nifty new lens (more about that later!), so stay tuned for updates.

A note about next week’s posting: on Sunday, November 6, I’m scheduled to make a presentation at the monthly meeting of the Prince Edward County Photography Club in the Wellington Library at 7pm. My topic will be Contemplative Photography. In preparation, I have created a 72-slide PowerPoint presentation. I plan to post screen captures of all 72 slides to my blog next weekend. I hope it will prove interesting for you.

Until next time!