Abstracts - The Four Elements

[Didache]

Hi all

Folks who use the Viewfinder forum might know that lately I have been playing with abstracts. I thought of using four of them to illustrate the Four basic elements of nature (Air, earth, fire and water). To see if I'm on the right track, I include two of them here - water and fire.

As always any comments are much appreciated. Also, if anyone is interested, I have included the instructions on how to do these over on Viewfinder.

Cheers
Mike

[OldClicker]

I can see 'fire'. I don’t see 'water'. Maybe a more circular, whirlpool type pattern??? Or wavy??? – TF

[snoid]

I agree.....fire works quite well.
The water is too angular
How'd you do that? BTW

[Didache]

Thanks for looking guys. I suppose the problem with abstract anything is that the viewer and the creator might be coming from different angles. For myself, in the water one, I was mostly concerned with the colours - greenish near the surface with little hints of light, then getting a deeper blue as you go down. Even so, you both raise a fair point, and I will experiment with the "waviness" for want of a better word! Thanks for that.

snoid .. the Viewfinder thread on Abstracts has a full tutorial.

I include here an "Air" one .. again, mostly to do with colour: blue with some white/grey to hint at clouds, with a little intense light to suggest sun behind the clouds and a sort of swooshy feel.

Cheers
Mike

[jetrim]

Air works exceptionally well in my opinion. It gives the impression of the fabled "old North wind" blowing from the upper left.

Fire is good, but not brilliant, (maybe not complex enough for me)

I agree with the others about water and this is why:
*Color of the word doesn't fit
*I would expect more of a weave or braid than an inverted teardrop in the stroke
*Something is bothering me about the lighter tones, seems like they should be more turquoise than jade.

[Didache]

jetrim - I agree with you about the fire one .. it was a little too flame-like for my taste, and not quite chaotic enough. I have replaced it with another.

I have also added a swirl to the water one. Not quite a braid perhaps, but more something suggesting the ebb and flow of a current. I have also reduced the green slightly.

Rather than post again .. the four current "favourites" are at the bottom of:

http://www.mikedalesphotography.co.u...olio48581.html

Thanks again for taking the time to look and comment.

Cheers
Mike

[jetrim]

I like your replacements much better :thumbsup:

[Overbeyond]

Mike ; these abstracts are certainly creative and eye catching and not without some beauty.

[draymorton]

These are fantastic, Mike. Air is my favorite.