Tag: abstract patterns

Around The Ohio River Bridges Project – Abstracts and Closeups

Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface. Black and White Version #1
Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface. Black and White Version #1

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These image are some closeups and abstracts that I shot last month while I was down shooting the Ohio River Bridges Project. Sometimes when I’m shooting construction I need to change my perspective by looking for abstract or closeup subjects. When I saw the concrete saws lying on a trailer I was intrigued by the pattern of the diamond cutting edges and the notches in the blades. The other image is from the tire tracks of a piece of rubber tired heavy equipment in sand.

I shot them in three frame bracket sets of +2, 0 and -2 EV exposures for later HDR processing. I processed the HDR images in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 and Aperture 3. After completing the color versions I decided to use NIK Silver Efex to convert a couple of them to Black and White.

Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface. Black and White Version #2
Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface. Black and White Version #2

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Abstract of equipment tracks in sand #1
Abstract of equipment tracks in sand #1

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Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface.HDR Version #2
Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface.HDR Version #2

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Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface.HDR Version #1
Closeup of a concrete saw used to cut rain grooves in the new roadway surface.HDR Version #1

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Abstract Images From Construction

The Nuts and Bolts of Construction
The Nuts and Bolts of Construction

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The image above is of some construction fasteners used in the heavy construction concrete forms on the Ohio River Bridges Project that Walsh Construction is doing in Louisville KY. I liked the contrasts of the colors and textures and the randomness of the various items. I processed it using Topaz Clarity and Aperture 3.

Rock Drill Sediment Abstract
Rock Drill Sediment Abstract

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This image shows the sediment that settled on the rock drill being used to drill the piers for the Ohio River Bridges Project. I really liked the topographical feel that the sediment left on the metal surface as the water evaporated and dried while the tool was not in use. I shot it as a three frame bracket set and processed it using NIK HDR Eex Pro 2 and Aperture 3.

 

Avoid Cliches

Chevrolet
Chevrolet

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cliché or cliche (UK /ˈklʃ/ or US /klɪˈʃ/) is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning, or effect, and even, to the point of being trite or irritating, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel.[1] (source Wikipedia)

Too often we photographers fall into the trap of shooting the same type of images that we have seen for years. With automobiles and car shows we will often shoot the entire car or some detail like a hood ornament, etc. I suggest you try moving beyond those cliched shots and approach the subject with an abstract approach that still speaks to the essence of the subject but isn’t so obvious.

In this image I fell in love with the bright yellow paint and the complimentary red and blue accents. I chose to use them as leading lines that reinforced the diagonal pattern of the clouds above the car. The blue sky is a direct compliment to the yellow color and also picks up on the blue pinstripes on the red louvers as it also provides background interest to the composition . While there is no question that the subject is an automobile the overall effect is to emphasize color and composition instead of being just another photo of a car.

I used my regular HDR brackets +2, 0 and -2 EV and processing with NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 which allowed me to capture and emphasize things such as the texture in the clouds and the reflections in the the door. I finished the image in Aperture 3 using some minor adjustments to the blue and yellow color channels, cropping and sharpening.

Cadillac Abstract

Cadillac Abstract

This image is a macro of the glass in a 1931 Cadillac Sedan I saw last year at the NSRA Streetrod Nationals. This particular car was impecable in every way but the owner had chosen not to replace any of the glass in the car. These early cars had a type of safety glass that was made by taking two layers of glass and fusing them together with a clear plastic membrane that was sandwiched between them. Over time the membrane will sometimes start to delaminate and the result is an amber looking pattern usually at the edges of the glass. This car’s glass had done that at the bottom of every piece of glass in the car and the restorer had kept it in the car. I couldn’t resist the abstract patterns and colors and took several photos of it though I’m not sure I took any of the car itself.

I processed this image in Topaz Adjust which allowed me to intensify and enhance the colors in the delamination. Once again I took a subject that I had seen and photographed innumerable times and found a new way to interpret it. Keep your eyes open when you are looking at something you have photographed many times before and you just may stumble onto a gem such as this image.