Finding Abstract Beauty

Scioto Mile Fountain – Panasonic GX1 with Olympus 12mm f/2

One of the things that I love about photography is finding beauty in line and form, especially in finding a view or perspective in objects that most people will pass by.  I especially love this when shooting architecture or travel photography. It is really a fun way to explore a place that I may have been to many times before.

I often go out for 10-15 minute little excursions around Columbus, just to snap a few photos.  Yesterday, I stopped off along the Scioto Mile, a new park along the Scioto River here in downtown Columbus.  They’ve got a great promenade in front of the Supreme court, a nice stage further south, and a little play fountain park, which is great fun for kids in the summer.

Scioto Mile Fountain – Panasonic GX1 with Olympus 12mm f/2

They’ve got these huge steel tubes, making loops and curves.  In the summer when the fountains are on, they rain down water all over the people playing below.  Of course, it being February, the fountains are off and there are just lonely stainless steel structures, stretching 20 feet in the air.  As I was just about to get back into the car after taking a few shots, I decided to look for patterns and shapes in the tubes, and the results can be seen here.

I’m sure I will explore these fountains further in the future, and will of course try new perspectives and try and find unique ways to capture the scene.  It’s just one of the things I enjoy about being a photographer.  It’s fun, easy and quick…and very satisfying when successful.

Comments

2 responses to “Finding Abstract Beauty”

  1. Dave Millier Avatar

    Wonderful, wonderful, especially the second one.

    The internet is awash with photos, and for those of us from the film era, the free availability of photographs to view is mouth-watering and mind-boggling. The downside of the wonderful digital age of course is that photographs are now available in their billions. We are drowned in volume. And that means traditional landscapes, portraits, street etc (even if well composed and lit) can seem a bit samey. Only the cream will survive today in the “standard” genres, sheer volume sees to that.

    However, as you demonstrate with these shots, there is still room to make a mark with personal expression. You don’t need an exotic model or dramatic interior of China location to produce great photos, just a bit of inspiration and great, clean composition and sympathetic processing to make the most of it. This is what photography (for me) is about. Many times (not always!) the subject doesn’t matter so much as a subject, it is merely a vehicle, something to provide lines, curves, shapes, tone and texture the photographer can use as raw material to turn into a very personal image.

    Great stuff!

    Dave

  2. Jordan Steele Avatar

    Thank you very much for all your kind comments on my photos! It’s always nice to hear when other people appreciate my photography. Hopefully you’re enjoying the site.

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