Outdoor Photographer - USA (2019-12)

Of Abstract Nature

Abstract photographs ask viewers to solve a riddle,

engaging them more deeply with the image

Text & Photography By William Neill

T

he mind is a fascinating thing.

One of the great unknowns when

we share our photographs is how

the viewer will respond. Once the artist

has made an exposure and then edited

it for presentation, a new life begins for

any image shared with others. Each of

us brings his or her mind full of per-

sonal and photographic history to the

viewing process.

When a scenic landscape photograph

is viewed, we know where the sky is and

where to “stand” in the image. But on the

other end of the spectrum, when we make

abstract photographs of nature, questions

about orientation or scale or subject come

immediately to mind for the viewer.

Recently, I’ve been adding new images

to my long-evolving series of nature

abstractions using my patio waterfall,

which has wonderful water ripples right

in my backyard. My very first ripple

abstracts were made in 1976 at Golden

Gate Canyon State Park in Colorado,

where I built trails for the park. One day,

I sat next to a small stream as I ate my

lunch and noticed the patterns of ripples

in the stream. I had my camera with me,

and the series began. Fast forward all

these years, and I’m still fascinated by

the endless patterns and blending colors

that I can capture with my macro lens.

As I have shown these images over

the years, I have enjoyed people’s reac-

tions. Their first instinct is to define the

content. “What is that?” It’s as if know-

ing the content is required to appreci-

ate the artist’s effort. “Ah, so it’s mud.

Well, then, it is beautiful. I had no idea

what it was at first.” If I don’t tell the

viewer what the subject is right away,

then their imagination is activated. The

mind works to solve the riddle, and,

in the process, the viewer gets more

engaged with the composition.

The intriguing part is how differently

people see an abstract photograph. “I

see a face.” “I see silk fabric.” “I see an

on landscape

Photo A

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