Try to forget what objects you have before you – a tree, a house, a field, or whatever. Merely think, ‘Here is a little square of blue, here an oblong of pink, here a streak of yellow,’ and paint it just as it looks to you, the exact colour and shape, until it gives you your own impression of the scene before you.
Claude Monet
I have shared photos based on geometrical themes several times in the past. Monochrome shapes in architecture; designs found in nature; wheels and circles. So looking for something a bit different for Amanda’s Friendly Friday challenge I hit upon that quotation from Monet and it got me thinking. Can we apply it to photography and reduce the objects we photograph to mere abstract shapes?
So I thought I would have a go! All the photos below were taken on various trips over the past few years and have been cropped to focus more on those abstract shapes rather than the actual subject of the photo. I have probably shared many of the full size images elsewhere in this blog!
Triangle: the top of the (unfinished) Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang
Triangle and circle: the Hyangsan Hotel, North Korea; this one is finished and we stayed here!
Wonky triangle: the roof of the tomb of Bin Ali in southern Oman
Diamonds: the dome of the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat
Diamonds and zigzags: baskets for sale in the Place des Epices, Marrakesh
Zigzags: a concrete fence edging the path up Mount Paektu, North Korea
Curve: a leaf in Laos
Arcs: the ceiling of the Central Post Office, HCMC
Curls: a fence in the Majorelle Gardens, Marrakesh
More curls: a detail at the Chinese All-Community Assembly Hall, Hoi An
Curve: elephant trunk, MandaLao, Laos
Circles: prayer coils at the Cantonese Assembly Hall, Hoi An
Circles: door detail, Al Hamra, Oman
Concentric circles: the prow of a traditional boat in Sur, Oman
Stripes: fabric for sale in Marrakesh (the similar featured photo was taken in Sopchem, Laos)
Star: flag in the Armistice Signing Hall, DMZ, North Korea
And a favourite to finish with:
Circles and lines: roof detail, Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, Beijing
Linked also to Frank’s Beach Walk Reflections as he is partnering with the FFC team this week.
42 Comments
starship VT
Sarah, I enjoyed all the images that you captured with your marvelous photographer’s eye. But, I am always particularly drawn to colors and design in textiles, basketry, and architecture. But the elephants trunk is my favorite! Can’t help but love elephants!! AND, your photos (and blogs) always re-ignite my love of travel!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much Sylvia 😊 If I can ignite or reignite a love of travel then I feel my blog is a success!!
Wind Kisses
A fantastic collection from so many places.
I love the way you introduced this theme with Claude Monet. It gives us a new mindset and the photos came with a fresh set of eyes. Donna
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Donna 🙂 I believe (though I may well be wrong!) that is the quote that gave rise to the term ‘Impressionism’.
Pingback:
Ju-Lyn
I love the Monet quote and your (re)interpretation of your images – it brings to bear a much different perspective and vibe to the image. I am particularly taken by the leaf. Younger Child (who is still looking over my shoulder) love the fabrics in your Feature.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😊 Glad you both found something to enjoy here!
wetanddustyroads
That is very interesting to see just a portion of a building or object … it leads the eye to the detail (and makes you want to see more 😉). The leaf in Laos is such a great photo – love it.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – I had fun doing these crops and I’m glad you enjoyed seeing them 🙂
Annie Berger
Great selection of photos. I was drawn to those you took in North Korea as it’s a place I saw hardly any photos of until I began reading your blog and saw some everyday life photos you took.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Annie 🙂 I’m pleased to hear you find my North Korea photos and posts of interest.
grandmisadventures
beautiful collection- I really love the colors of Marrakesh 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, Marrakesh is beautiful in a slightly manic way!
margaret21
A wonderful collection of geometric abstracts. Funnily enough, in a great set, I’m drawn to your header photo most.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Margaret, and not funny at all – I always try and pick out one of my own favourites to feature so it just means we’re in agreement 😆
leightontravels
Some genuinely interesting and curious perspectives here. I think my favourite is the elephant trunk and I give myself some brownie points for recognising the ceiling of the post office in Ho Chi Minh before I read the caption. A fine collection of images Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Leighton – and Brownie points definitely merited 🙂
Aletta - nowathome
A wonderful selection of shapes Sarah! Really great!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Aletta 😊
gaiainaction
What a gallery of beauty Sarah! I love all the shapes and colours and what a wonderful way to look at our world <3
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – it was fun doing these edits and seeing the world a bit differently through them 🙂
gaiainaction
And very enjoyable for your readers to take pleasure in.
Amy
Wow… I love these gallery! It’s wonderful to enjoy various shapes and colours throughout the world. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much my, I’m really glad you enjoyed this 😊
Alison
These are great Sarah, very clever the way you have edited to focus on the shape
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Alison, I had fun doing them!
Alison
I had a look through my photos and realised that you put a great amount of work in yours!
Sarah Wilkie
I guess I do, when I have the time. I enjoy post-production editing, playing around with different crops, tones and more creative effects 🙂
Alison
It takes time and you’re obviously good at it
philosophy through photography
Superb examples.
Yes we can make photo abstracts of shapes.
Love the elephant trunk.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – it’s amazing what elephants can do with those trunks and the shapes they create 😀
philosophy through photography
True
bushboy
So many wonderful shapes Sarah, no favourite I love them all 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Brian 😊
Anna
Fantastic photos Sarah! X
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anna 😘
thehungrytravellers.blog
Do you know what this collection reminds me of? A few years back (I don’t know if they still do it), the Saturday travel supplement of the Daily Telegraph used to run a competition called “Where in the World?”…with photos just like these. As you would guess (or may know), you submitted your answer and the lucky winner, drawn at random from the correct entries, won travel vouchers. Any one of this collection could be one of those!
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, I never saw that competition (not a Telegraph reader!) but I can imagine it and see what you mean. I think showing that leaf, for instance, and asking people to guess where it was would be a real challenge!
Forestwood
As usual an excellent selection of photos, Sarah. The orange leaf in Laos stands out for me. The perfect example of complementary colour at work, which ties into Monet’s words.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Amanda, that’s an excellent point about that leaf and the quote from Monet 🙂 The photo was pure serendipity. We stopped for a refreshment break at a little local roadside shop and this small tree was growing outside. I stood underneath and took several photos of the leaves against the blue sky – this is a crop from one of them 🙂
Mike and Kellye Hefner
So interesting, Sarah! You certainly have an eye for the unusual as well as the beautiful. I enjoy your perspectives.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 I enjoy finding these perspectives!