When it comes to making an “abstract” image, it is important to understand what an abstract image really is. While it appears to be a random act of art that could be created by a monkey, in which the scientists with the monkey would label is as “abstract” in order to justify the end result. In fact I would argue that an abstract image that works, is one that is rooted with design principles and composition. In order to show you how this particular image came to be, I will show you the variations created in order to arrive at the final piece.
As you can see I began the shoot very wide. The image was messy and unorganized. I zoomed in closer and while the composition remained terrible, the image improved. I then worked on the composition of the light by evening out the orange pattern, and shifting the green pattern off to the left, and things began to come together. The final touch was to add a rising white light off to the left to balance the image compositionally. The final result is an image with only three light sources, and a balanced composition.
While these light paintings might not be as fulfilling as some more elaborate landscape, urban, or product shoots, I find they are one of the best ways to enjoy creating dynamic designs.
Hope you enjoyed this, and as always, keep bathing the world in light!
-Pablo Picasso