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Revisiting Black and White

May 9, 2024

I have always loved black and white photographs.  Black and white photography can take your breath away and prompt contemplation.  It’s as if, with the click of the shutter, time stopped, freezing the world in monochrome.  There’s a stillness in black and white artwork that makes you wonder about the place, expression, or symbolism of the moment.

There are many renowned black and white photographers, but one of my favorites is Ansel Adams. I admire his use of subject, light and contrast, and his mastery of the darkroom in capturing nature on film. Another of my favorites is Dorothea Lange and her captivating photographs of the Dust Bowl.
 

Ansel Adams: Half Dome, Blowing Snow, Yosemite National Park, California, 1955

Dorothea Lange: Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California, 1936
 


Black and white photographs have a grounding effect on interior spaces. Whether you have a wall of grayscale family portraits, each framed alike, or a collection showcasing the works of a single artist, the medium allows you to create your story and palette with art. A black and white image can stand out beautifully against a boldly painted wall, as seen with Icebreaker below, or harmonize effortlessly amidst a vibrant array of complementary artworks.


Gayle Waterman, Icebreaker, © 2021
 


While I have enjoyed experimenting with abstract black and white images, I entered the realm initially with some hesitation. The standards are high and it’s difficult to achieve the stunning visual effect you get with black and white photography printed from film, via digital means. There have been many challenges but creating the images you see below has been an enlightening journey. Through trial and exploration, my knowledge of the nuances of light and graphic expression have grown.

 
Gayle Waterman, Crystal Palace, © 2021
 

   
Gayle Waterman, Between the Lines, © 2017


Gayle Waterman, To the Point, © 2013
 

Gayle Waterman, Star Bright, © 2019
 
These images are among my favorites, and despite their abstract nature, they still draw me to find significance in the pattern or use of light.
 

Pendulum is one of my newest.  Inspired by subtle shadows on a wall that were created by a metal shelf, the camera froze the grayscale gradient of the shadow in time to create the effect of a pendulum suspended in motion.  To me Pendulum encourages us to reflect on the shades of our life and where we are at this moment in time.


Gayle Waterman, Pendulum, © 2024

Memories Revisited

March 27, 2024

As Easter approaches, I’m reminded of a trip I took to Italy with several girlfriends in 2014. When we were in Rome we toured the Vatican and had a remarkable experience in the Sistine Chapel where a priest blessed my friend’s rosary and prayed with us. The energy that we felt in that moment of prayer was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced, and we will never forget that moment. When we walked out into the Courtyard of the Pinecone, I was drawn to the bronze, titled Sphere within a Sphere, by Italian sculptor Arnoldo Pomodoro. It is a powerful work of art, a little over 13 feet in diameter, emanating light and the innerworkings of the earth. 
 


 

I felt compelled to capture Pomodoro’s sculpture with my macro lens and created an abstract image titled Unity. To me the intricate pieces of the sculpture represented humanity and our connection to each other, as well as the struggles we face.
 

Unity ©2014


With the beginning of Spring, I’m hopeful that the impact of this sculpture touches you too. Images and memories revisited provide comfort as we reflect upon them. 
 

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

Abstract Illusions

March 8, 2024

Today I'd like to share another abstract work from the 1870's Japanese Screen that I photographed this fall. I love the dramatic blues and the contrast between the definitive texture of the screen and the dreamy semi-transparency of the ink. Like the last piece I shared, there is a certain mystery to Illusions.

Illusions © 2022 in situ


Something that draws me to non-representational abstract art is that it can integrate well into a variety of decors and be oriented horizontally or vertically to fit the space itself. It's fun to see Illusions in these two very different spaces.

Illusions © 2022 in situ


I hope you enjoyed the three blogs I've shared featuring work from a Japanese Screen. I loved getting all your feedback.
 

Endless Possibilities

February 1, 2024

I’ve always liked the idea of layered artwork that can be moved or changed easily to create a unique impact in a room.  A Drop in Time on the main wall below reminds me of a watercolor brush releasing its color as an accident or an abstract.  The small image to the right in sepia tones, titled Landing Pad, creates a graphic monochromatic look.  And the image to the far right, Through the Looking Glass has a watery texture that reminds me of an old French windowpane on a rainy day.  Each piece makes a very different statement, yet they work well together in this setting.

A Drop in Time © 2022 in situ


These three images and Featherweight below are part of one collection of work originating from the Japanese screen that I shared with you recently.  I continue to be amazed by the variety of artwork that can be created from one object and I always appreciate the original source that allows my imagination to soar.

Featherweight © 2022 in situ


Our creativity is limitless and guided by our ability to visualize possibilities that exist even if they are not obvious. That desire to look deeply is what inspires me to create abstract art and abstract photography. Each person can discover their own world of possibilities.

To browse these and other works please click here: lookstudio.net.


Wishing you a beautiful season filled with endless possibilities.

A Twinkle of Stars

January 4, 2024

As the crisp November air settles in and the clear blue skies lead to star-filled nights, I’d like to introduce you to one of my new works, Midnight SkyThis image was created by photographing a collection of spots on a window pane. Adding a dark backdrop made the spots come alive as glowing points of light.



MIDNIGHT SKY, ©2023

 


 




MIDNIGHT SKY, ©2023
 

If you enjoyed seeing this new work, please visit my website to view the second piece in this series, Those Among Us.

Sending warm wishes with winter's approach,
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