Reflections in the rain

Puddles after a rain.

Shadows from the window.

WOW! Very nice Sharon. Really nice compositions too. You're part of the train.

Are you familiar with Paul Strand's work? He was one of the first to do abstract photography, and often used shadows in the compositions.

He also taught A.A. on how to make a good negative, which Ansel later turned into his Zone System.

Probably my favorite photographer of all time.

nice work Sharon, love the first puddle and the first shadow.

Glad you are "seeing" the world around you instead of just "looking" at it.

Well done!! I love the bubble you caught in the water puddle!

Love abstracts! These are especially nice- loving the first one particularly!

Very nicely done Sharon

Thanks, those were after it had rained and the raindrops were plopping into the puddles in my driveway, did the prints in the darkroom. The shadows were done trying out my relatively new digital. Obviously I like abstract work too.

Oh yeah, I'm familiar w/Strand, really like his work. Andre Kertesz is actually my favorite.

What train and where's it going?? LOL

Sharon,

Thanks for your comment in the friend request. I'm only trying to help here and you are one of a few who "get me".

I have WAY too much edu. A lot of it was crap. While some of it was very good. Usually depends on the teachers. Some can only teach what they know and others inspire.

I learned before the internet. There were no YouTube vids to watch. Back then you had to learn by school (expensive) or by assisting (for free). Books help, but without real experience, you won't get there. Wherever "there" is.

My comment above was about you seeing "like" the masters see. That puts you in the line of cars on the "art" train. Most photo schools don't cover that. You'll meet people in workshops who are a part of it, but not often in the 101 level courses.

What I've been "trying" to do here, is to make everyone aware of the art "game", that I paid dutifully for. The rules are simple. Combine the work of great artists into your own work. Try to understand WHY those pictures are in museums while billions of other interesting, and often beautiful, pics are stuck on Flickr.

You may have to change your own style to match, but you'll likely see that as a plus, and not a minus. It's mostly about the ability to communicate with others. The picture's universal humanity that we all share (in all cultures).

If you want to do this for a hobby, then don't worry about it. Learn anyway you can. Read UE, watch YouTube vids. There are crumb spreaders online everywhere who will share some they have gathered.

However, if you want to be taken seriously as a photographer, you're going to have to work at it and take your own work seriously too (like Sharon has done). No one is going to hand you lots of $$ for a pretty picture. Like everyone that made it before you, you'll have to earn it. You start by getting on the train.

Matthew

The first one is really cool, how the trees are intermingled with and broken up by the puddle. I like the slight bit of toning on that one as well.

A challenge for you all. Name one famous photographer, who is still alive!

Sounds too easy, doesn't it?

I honestly don't know...

Not unusual, Dori. There are many who's work is hanging in museums though.

We may see 1000 pics a day, and we don't care who takes the picture. Just so it's good.

This just got posted on my FB (CJ is a former student). Some have great light and poses, and some don't. But, they all are full of humanity.

www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=542789524