Without Prejudice

[pegelli]

Something quite different, an evening shopper in Hong Kong

[John R]

We do architecture competitions in our club. Very strict rules- no problem with that. But what about when you have images which are somewhat in and somewhat out of category? In the end, if you like taking images and showing them to other people that appreciate photography, that's all that matters. Taken in downtown Toronto of the parking lot of the Design Institute.

JMR

[Rob C]

John -

I think your problem is solved if you decide the picture fits within 'abstract' and you continue shooting more of them.

It really is a shame about pigeonholes, but there you go - the way of the world. At least, if you are interested in competitions. I never have been; I'd rather do what a client might want for a fee and do what I want for fun. Sometimes it's been possible to combine both to a great degree, which makes for happy work. Unfortunately, the latter leads to an attitude where you tend to concentrate on a much smaller market, with all attendant dangers.

;-)

Rob C

[John R]

Right you are Rob. I do everything, more or less for fun. I even compete just for fun. I now spend more time helping others learn basic photography and that too is rewarding. I was just trying to show you can't always fit an image into a category. Abstract category is a very good idea.

JR

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Abstract category is a very good idea.

JR

PhotPlace Gallery in Vermont has a show coming up on the theme of "Abstract Expressions," curated by Carl Chiarenza. Unfortunately the deadline for submissions has now passed.

Eric

[tom b]

My Abstract series is here. From Peter Griffen's art studio, the floor and bench tops.

Cheers,

[Rob C]

My Abstract series is here. From Peter Griffen's art studio, the floor and bench tops.

Cheers,

Very attractive images! makes me wonder, sometimes, about the Ultimate Creator and how much we borrow from Him! And I'm not a particularly religious person in any conventional sense... its just that Nature sems to come up with so much more than I seem capable of doing and my best contribution to the events is, sort of, to recognize them every now and again...

Our own Keith has some crackers:

http://www.keithlaban.co.uk

and so does Peter Defty:

http://www.gooseloft.com

Rob C

[John R]

There are endless discussions about what is an abstract. If we go by some definitions, my image was not a true abstract but a non-representational view of part of a subject. In looking at the sites you mentioned Rob, I would say only the section from Koba called 'found paintings" are abstract. On the other hand, "gooseloft" section called appropriately enough, 'abstracts" do appear to fit the more classical defintion of abstract. Do I care or want to get into a debate? Not really, as long as the work is good and relates in some way to me, the viewer. But both sites are indeed very good.

[Rob C]

There are endless discussions about what is an abstract. If we go by some definitions, my image was not a true abstract but a non-representational view of part of a subject. In looking at the sites you mentioned Rob, I would say only the section from Koba called 'found paintings" are abstract. On the other hand, "gooseloft" section called appropriately enough, 'abstracts" do appear to fit the more classical defintion of abstract. Do I care or want to get into a debate? Not really, as long as the work is good and relates in some way to me, the viewer. But both sites are indeed very good.

Glad you enjoyed them, John. I'm not into tight definitions much either, but I do classify things within my own vaguish system of where things fit.

Rob C

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I am into tight definitions, following the Humpty Dumpty philosophy. I call it an "abstract" if it looks to me like an abstract.

Eric

[Rob C]

So, if we were to put our heads together and work on this, we could come up with a tightly defined vaguishness?

Hmmm... troubling thought to think so early in the day. In the meantime, I shall depart this uncomfortable typing-stool upon which I perch, risking life and limb, and go clean out the fire, another of the thrills of winter that comes a close second to the nasal delights of flu, which I am also currently enjoying to the full...

Sniff.

Rob C

[John R]

Really enjoying this "abstract" banter. Inspires me to show one more image from the Design Institute of Toronto. I do like Humpty Dumpty and I know both he and Eric will agree this is abstract.

JR

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Yes. H-D and I agree: It is Abstract, because I like it.

And Rob: I love that term: "tightly defined vaguishness."

Eric

[Rob C]

Yes. H-D and I agree: It is Abstract, because I like it.

And Rob: I love that term: "tightly defined vaguishness."

Eric

At the moment, I'm into the second (or even third) cycle of the flu; these run into one another, leaving me dazed and confused, a real embodiment of that tdv we're on about.

Worse, due to the heart problems I have to take an aspirin each day (were that but all!) in order to keep my blood thin; as a result of doing this over the years, I tend to bruise and bleed quite easily, much as might some exotic fruit, and the heavy nose-blowing has come with is own side-effects which can be imagined. I'm sure it'll lead to anaemia. So really, tdv isn't anything new for me, more a way of life. Good for the makers of paper kitchen-rolls though.

I'm about to clean out and reset the fire; the dust from that'll set things off again very nicely! Another way to miss one's wife: was a time I could have just stayed in bed until this had blown over...

;-(

Roll on summer!

Rob C

[Bruce Cox]

Twenty-five years ago I shot pedestrians with a Leica under this bridge.  Winter's return, in what is now spring here, reduced the number of beautiful people and sped them beyond the reach of my camera as I rested from the traffic above Thursday.

Bruce

[Bruce Cox]

The parking lot was cut into a hill, which the car was close to and facing, so that glare was reduced on the lower part of the windshield.  

Bruce

[Rob C]

The parking lot was cut into a hill, which the car was close to and facing, so that glare was reduced on the lower part of the windshield.  

Bruce

Hope that's not your car, Bruce?

Could be worse: have you ever noticed the lethal weapons folks put nonchalantly onto their rear shelf?

Rob C

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

... have you ever noticed the lethal weapons folks put nonchalantly onto their rear shelf?

Hmmm... sounds like an idea for the next installment of the Final Destination movie

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I find it quite amusing. There's nothing like having a few kibitzers aboard to offer advise when your GPS screws up. 

Eric

[Rob C]

I find it quite amusing. There's nothing like having a few kibitzers aboard to offer advise when your GPS screws up. 

Eric

I don't have a GPS device; the salesman showed me how my cellphone could be adapted to work on the little info. screen of the car but I never really paid attention, and certainly resented paying for the facility. Frankly, thirty years on the island and you won't need one! I'm sure I could get myself back to Glasgow without even a map now; the only problem would be Barcelona near the docks, but it always was, even with a map and a navigator.

Perhaps my temporary monkey could have helped.

Rob C