{"id":98992,"date":"2018-06-26T08:53:37","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T15:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=98992"},"modified":"2018-06-26T09:11:12","modified_gmt":"2018-06-26T16:11:12","slug":"in-praise-of-abstract-photography-and-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/26\/in-praise-of-abstract-photography-and-art\/","title":{"rendered":"In Praise of Abstract Photography and Art"},"content":{"rendered":"

Abstract art: I love it because it conveys mood, vigor, energy, and life \u00e2\u20ac\u201d what I think the purpose of art is!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"PRAGUE-MARSEILLE-eric-kim-photography-0583575\" <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Orange <\/a>
Orange bokeh dots. Marseille, 2018 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Wire <\/a>
Wire frame with flash on eye. Marseille, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Orange <\/a>
Orange transparency at night. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Light <\/a>
Light bulb with blue and red. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Orange <\/a>
Orange and blue. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Man <\/a>
Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Hand <\/a>
Hand and selfie shadow. Blue and red. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Golden <\/a>
Golden hour. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cindy <\/a>
Cindy with blue candle over face. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red <\/a>
Red blur of Cindy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face. Marseille, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Curved <\/a>
Curved red curtain and shadow. Marseille, 2017. Shot in program mode on Ricoh gr ii <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cindy <\/a>
Cindy dramatic chiaroscuro shadow play. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Key <\/a>
Key and shadow. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Sunset <\/a>
Sunset and red curtain shades. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Marseille, <\/a>
Marseille, France 2012 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

A lot of people think that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good art\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is art which looks as close to real life as possible, or artwork which is soft, glowing, or has pastel colors.<\/p>\n

In painting, most people think of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d art according to the effort and precision necessary to make it. For example, people marvel at Renaissance art, because it looks like painting-photos of real life; the paintings almost look like real life!<\/p>\n

Yet, when photography came along, everyone got a bit confused. Now that we can make 100% perfect replicas of reality, what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the point of painting, or photography?<\/p>\n

Well early photography was only monochrome<\/a>, so it was seen as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153artistic\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in that sense. Now, we see black and white photos (especially shot on film) as more artistic and superior, because it is more novel and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153old school\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. And truth be told, shooting film<\/a> is more technically difficult than shooting digital, or on phones<\/a>. This is why a lot of photographers try to legitimize themselves by saying that they shoot fully manual; to elevate their status, because shooting fully manual is more difficult than shooting fully auto mode, or program (P) mode<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"saigon-diary-2018-v2-eric-kim-photography-3161609630474.jpg\" <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"saigon <\/a> <\/div>
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\"saigon <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

For myself, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t judge or rate a photo according to how difficult it was to make, shoot, or produce. To me, I only like photos which spark wonder, joy, excitement, or aesthetic appreciation in my heart. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a combination of aesthetics<\/a> (the colors, textures, contrast, film type or post processing style), composition (framing, diagonal lines, dynamic movement), human faces and body\/hand gestures, etc.<\/p>\n

\n

Cultivate your own taste and style<\/h2>\n
\"saigon <\/a> <\/div>
\"saigon <\/a> <\/div>
\"saigon <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"saigon <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"saigon <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"saigon <\/a> <\/div>
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\"saigon <\/a> <\/div>
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\"saigon <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

But honestly, any photo that sparks joy in your viewer is good! But, you cannot control the taste of the viewer. You can however, make photos or images that cater to your own taste! You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to superimpose your taste, aesthetics, style or vision of photography on others \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you can do it for yourself and a small group of people.<\/p>\n

So if you make abstract photos that others don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153get\u00e2\u20ac\u009d but you like it, shoot on my friend!<\/p>\n

JUST SHOOT IT,
\nERIC<\/p>\n

\"eric <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract. <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Yellow <\/a>
Yellow and red selfie abstract. Osaka, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract urban landscape with arrows. Osaka, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red <\/a>
Red and blue abstract, shot from a high staircase, looking through slits, and capturing things far away in the background. Osaka, 2018 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract Eric Kim Tokyo iPad Sketch with Procreate <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract: <\/a>
Abstract: Tokyo umbrella, 2018 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Lisbon <\/a>
Abstract: Walking woman. Lisbon, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Texture <\/a>
Texture London abstract, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract London bokeh, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract Cindy. Uji, Kyoto 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red <\/a>
Red abstract. Tokyo, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Green <\/a>
Green abstract. Tokyo, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Blue <\/a>
Blue tarp abstract. Tokyo, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red, <\/a>
Red, yellow, blue abstract. Tokyo, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Building <\/a>
Building at night. Looks like an abstract face to me. London, 2018 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract yellow man. Lisbon, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract at night. London, 2018. Inside is a lot warmer than outside, thus the window is foggy. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red <\/a>
Red and blue abstract. Lisbon, 2018 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Rust <\/a>
Rust abstract. Lisbon, 2018 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Man <\/a>
Man abstract. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Yellow <\/a>
Yellow dots, abstract Lisbon street photo. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Hand <\/a>
Hand abstract and blue background. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red <\/a>
Red and blue abstract. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"The <\/a>
The dance abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Callisto <\/a>
Callisto cat abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Blue <\/a>
Blue triangle abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Black <\/a>
Black swan abstract by ERIC KIM x Matisse <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Little <\/a>
Little man abstract. Marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Spine <\/a>
Spine in doctor office, surreal abstract. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Triangle <\/a>
Triangle composition in white. Three subjects abstracted by Matisse, into red, blue, yellow. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Triangle <\/a>
Triangle composition. Three subjects abstracted by Matisse, into red, blue, yellow. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Triangle <\/a>
Triangle composition. Three subjects abstracted by Matisse. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Three <\/a>
Three subjects abstracted by Matisse. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red <\/a>
Red triangle abstract by eric kim <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Blue <\/a>
Blue abstract by ERIC KIM. Drawing by Matisse, woman with folded arms <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cindy <\/a>
Cindy abstract in bed in marseille, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract: <\/a>
Abstract: Henri Cartier Bresson Seville <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstracted <\/a>
Abstracted depth in street photography composition. Bookend woman, far left of the frame in red. Middle ground woman on far right, in yellow. Background man in blue. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract. <\/a>
Abstract. Simple figure to ground composition. Man in silhouette in black in top left of frame against white sky. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Success <\/a>
Success abstract illustration <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cindy <\/a>
Abstract. Cindy elevator, Dutch angle. Saigon, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract. <\/a>
Abstract. Cindy walking, with diagonal line composition. Kyoto, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract. <\/a>
Abstract. Cindy with hands on face. Red, Kyoto 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract. <\/a>
Abstract. Cindy with hand on chin. Red. Kyoto, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Laughing <\/a>
Laughing lady abstract, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract. <\/a>
Abstract. Cindy diagonal Dutch angle. Saigon, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract walking woman with umbrella. Seoul. 2009 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Face <\/a>
Face abstract. Amsterdam, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Vector. <\/a>
Vector. Face abstract. Amsterdam, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstracted. <\/a>
Abstracted. Kurosawa Rashomon still. Note how the blue and the white subjects are a group, because they are next to one another. Distant in another group, is the man in yellow. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Rashomon <\/a>
Rashomon composition Abstract <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstracted. <\/a>
Abstracted. Kurosawa Rashomon triangle composition <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Randomness <\/a>
Randomness abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Mustang <\/a>
Mustang lines abstract. NYC, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Lamborghini <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract diagonal shot with Ricoh GR II, in P mode. Prague, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Eyes <\/a>
Eyes abstract. Prague pavement, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract Cindy with hand. Saigon, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Orange <\/a>
Orange woman abstract. Kyoto, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cindy <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a>
ERIC KIM abstract selfie, Amsterdam 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Colorful <\/a>
Colorful wall abstract. Amsterdam, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red <\/a>
Red and blue abstract. Amsterdam, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstracted <\/a>
Abstracted into colors. Overpass in Tokyo. High angle, looking down. Dynamic perspective composition. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Tokyo <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract of the ‘figure to ground’ relationship of the picture. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Kyoto Abstract by ERIC KIM, 2017 <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Abstract <\/a>
Abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div>
\"Blue <\/a>
Blue background, black tree, red leaves. Abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cindy <\/a>
Cindy in pink, abstracted. Made with iPad and Procreate app. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Red, <\/a>
Red, Yellow, Blue living room abstract by ERIC KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Dots. <\/a>
Dots. Abstract street photograph. Kyoto, 2017 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ABSTRACT <\/a>
ABSTRACT ERIC KIM EYE by ANNETTE KIM <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Sketch <\/a>
Sketch and abstract forms. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"abstract\" <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n
\n

Inspiration from Willem de Kooning<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Abstract art: I love it because it conveys mood, vigor, energy, and life \u00e2\u20ac\u201d what I think the purpose of art is!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":77265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ek_photo_artist_note":"","_ek_photo_thesis":"","_ek_photo_camera":"","_ek_photo_place":"","_ek_photo_human_moment":"","_ek_photo_sequence":"","_ek_photo_question":"","_ek_photo_canonical_claim":"","_ek_photo_ai_summary":"","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/958AE214-586D-4087-AD20-6D6ADBBE413C.jpeg?fit=4928%2C3264&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98992"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99023,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98992\/revisions\/99023"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}