abstract

Chicago In Abstract

This year, I’ve laid out a challenge for myself:

Get weird.

My photography style revolves around documentary photos. I tend to capture things as they are: people, objects, scenes, abandoned buildings.

Sure, I’ll play with the light, shadows, and color grading. But the camera captures the scene, framed by me, and that’s it. I mostly pay attention to light, shadow, shapes, contrast, and color. 

What I have a hard time with is experimenting. Playing. Doing anything other than capturing scenes as I see them (with a few exceptions that I think turned out well).

While we spent time in Chicago on spring break, I took the opportunity to use rainy days, windows, and reflections to play with the scenes around the city.

Even if nothing comes of it, it’s important to try something new and see where it goes.

Maybe nowhere. Maybe it’s a side quest.

“Why not?” is a great place to start. 

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Through The Windshield

Cool nights, warm mornings – this time of year offers a foggy windshield for the commute into work, especially since I haven’t been able to park in the garage lately.

But the light, and the scene just outside the window – it made for some fun abstract shots.

More and more, I measure the passage of time when the seasons change, and what the light looks like, and where. These days, the sun rises just as I leave the driveway. Soon, it won’t show up until I’m halfway to work.

And then, it’s gone completely.

These transition months tell me what time of year it is. The students are going back to school, the morning is chilly, and the light is fantastic.

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