Camera Painting
I have been quite an active photographer since the 90s and discussed some of my relationship with photography in Photojournalism as Psychologically Aware Seeing. Around that time, I began wanting to explore abstract photography.
Well, yesterday was my first attempt. Summer has brought many colors to my gardens and I wanted to try a simple technique to see what I could get. The idea I had was to use the camera as a paint brush. When we paint we "load" the brush up and our stroke applies the paint. With the brush, we cover a distance over a period of time.
Generally when we make a photograph, we do not move the camera. The idea is to capture a scene in focus and frozen in time. But we can accomplish a "brushing" effect by leaving the camera shutter open and moving the camera over the course of the exposure.
For my work yesterday, I experimented with different long shutter speeds from 2 to 1/15 seconds. Since you are moving the camera, focus means very little, so I just put the camera on a very small aperture (in this case f/16) and tried different ways to pan the camera (or in art terms, apply a brush stroke).
I did not do any of this which much feeling. It was mainly a technical exercise. But it is interesting what I chose to work with. I focused on two bright colors in my garden. The first set of images I made were with large green hydrangea leaves, which is one of my favorite plants.
My second set was with canna flowers. These have important personal significance for me because they are flowers that my family has cultivated in our gardens for three generations. This was the first year in a long time I was able to introduce them to my summer garden. This is the particular flower I was working with for the abstract image at the top.
Of the 100 images I made, the above image was the one that had the most interest for me. The image was made at 200mm with a half second exposure and a gentle pan of the lens.
I hope you enjoy it. You can click on the images for high resolution versions.
You can see all the photography images I have used on Mind Parts by visiting my Photography Gallery.
Also, a reminder that submissions to the Expressive Arts Carnival No. 3 are due in a week on August 19.
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Hi Paul,
When I view the high resolution version of your abstract image, there's a huge internal reaction. I can feel the rapid eye movement, and the internal noise jumps up a notch or 5 :) I'm not sure exactly what the reaction is, but I think what you've captured speaks to ones, or (more accurately) emotions held within the system.
I find it interesting that you say the photos were taken with little feeling, yet I am having such a strong reaction to them.
Thank you for sharing both the images and the technique...
Take care,
CG
It's funny CG, I have very little reaction and think the image is just strange. Maybe I'm not looking at it right?
Oh, and let me say that I think it's not likely I panned the camera during this particular image. At least I know I didn't pan left to right because then the "lines" in it would be oriented that way. I think I just had the camera open for .5s and that's it. Since it was taken close up at 200mm, focus meant nothing. I'd love to see what you would get if you tried something similar.
Hi Paul,
Back from Way of St. James and back at the day center for my second interval of trauma therapy. My therapy team was quite impressed with what I painted in between. So much that many pictures became part of my one to one sessions! Certain sarcasm and exhaustion intended ;-))
Like Castorgirl, I experience rapid eye movements here which are part of EMDR actually.
Have been so occupied that I couldn't be around often yet I am truly impressed by the art carnival.
Keep up the good work.
Paula
Hi Paula. Welcome back! I didn't know you were in a day program. I hope you post some of what you are doing on your art blog. I'll check in on it.
Yes, had Intense Trauma Therapy from November including January. There I got introduced to art therapy. This program with 35 hours per week. I thought that is how we found one another. Well, one post is up already:
http://recoveryinart.blogspot.com/2010/08/little-paula-marriage-discussion.html
However this time it wont last for 3 months as I am pretty stable, have a filled toolbox and focus now on 1 therapy goal "ONLY".
Yeah, the time has nearly arrived where all is about maintainance and not so much digging and overcoming anymore. Program and I working well as by now I can say - without feeling shame or guilt: I am improving, I have done a good job and I am okay.
I believe in a future and have goals I want to reach.
These changes are so wonderful.
Hugs across the pond.
Hi Paula. I'll definitely go check out the post. Sounds like you are in a better place, and I'm glad to hear that.
I loved this post. Once upon a time, in another life, I was an amateur photographer. Did you find this idea somewhere or did you create it? Lovely photo - I love pink added to other colors. I'm going to try this. Um,... it would also be a good topic for Expressive Arts!
Welcome back online Ivory. I don't know. I may have seen it elsewhere. Not really sure. Yes, a good topic for Expressive Arts! We'll see... I'll have something up today. Haven't decided what yet.