Beach Still Lifes & Abstracts

After looking at Minor White and Wynn Bullocks’ work yesterday (their abstract work to be specific), I realised I could explore some of the natural elements occurring around the lake (beach debris) as a possibility to use in juxtapositions with some of the landscape or portraits (that I hopefully will be able to take). So I looked back at my four photo shoots that I did for A1 and pulled out some more images. Some of these images were not taken at the best time of the day – too bright, but they will serve as a basis for some ideas. I photographed the beach debris as I found it.

I particularly like the idea of using the birch bark (the conical roll at the top left in Fig. 1) as it links to the Indigenous community. The First Nations use birch bark to make all kinds of baskets and other utensils. However, the gravelly background doesn’t provide enough contrast and the image is a bit flat.

Fig. 1. Bark, Sandy Beach

The piece of birch bark in Fig. 2 is more ambiguous as it resembles a squashed metal can, or maybe it is? There is a little more contrast around the right hand side of the image with the greenery shading the surface and the texture of the other driftwood is also intriguing.

Fig. 2. Bark, Sandy Beach

I like the textures of the driftwood in Fig. 3 but their layout is not too appealing.

Fig. 3. Bark, Sandy Beach

Evidence of passing wild life on the beach perhaps – Fig. 4.

Fig. 4. Broken branch, Sandy Beach

I have never seen mushrooms growing on a beach before – could be a metaphor life or death I suppose – Fig 5 and Fig. 6. The tonal values are quite uninteresting. I think I will find more interesting varieties in the forest.

Fig. 5. Mushrooms, Sandy Beach.

Fig. 6. Coprinellus micaceus (mica caps), Sandy Beach.

I just liked the particular shadow interacting with the dandelions growing on the beach in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7. Shadows and dandelions, Sandy Beach

I think I may have something in Fig. 8 and 9. The water abstracts are ambiguous and I like the contrasting texture of the mix of plant material and found objects at the bottom of the pool, as well as the refractions on the water’s surface giving a sense of movement and mystery.

Fig. 8. Water Abstract, Sandy Beach

Fig. 9. Water Abstract, Sandy Beach

While I rather like the tonal variety in Fig. 10 I feel the subject matter is too obvious. I think the smaller pebbles at the top detract as they are not submerged in the water.

Fig. 10. Water and stones abstract, Sandy Beach

So I have cropped out the small pebbles and I think the image is much stronger now. There is more emphasis on the water and the bubbles are more prominent.

Fig. 11. Water, Sandy Beach (cropped)

Fig. 12 is not working for me at all. There are too many specular highlights reflecting off the water, and not enough depth visible in the water.

Fig. 12. Water Abstract, Sandy Beach.

I think the most successful images were the water abstracts and this would definitely tie in with the main series as it does reference Shuswap Lake. I also think that if I want to photograph more of the birch bark I might have to remove it from in situ and position it in a more suitable setting with more contrast – maybe in some wild grass, or even consider a studio setting.