the idea: take photographs of natural abstraction

For someone who has never taken a photography class, I love taking photographs.  Maybe it’s specifically because I have no artistic training so for me photographs are just interesting ways to document ideas.  Like this one, here.

One of the many things I like to photograph is when nature creates a beautiful or interesting abstract image.  Nature, people say, is the first artist.  I would add that Nature is the first abstract artist.

Abstract art is usually in an entirely different realm from images of nature.  I mean, if there’s a picture of something natural than it can’t be abstract, right?  Often, this is true.  Zebras are just…. zebras.  That is, unless you get close enough that you aren’t looking at the horse like animal, but at the incredible and unique abstract patterns that decorate each one.

But abstraction doesn’t just happen when you zoom in.  The image above is the Charles River on a cold winter day from the 17th floor of Mass General Hospital.

Straight up natural abstraction.  Now that you’ve read this, you’ll be seeing more of it.