Observations of space, colour and texture
Photography by Michael Critchley
Dedicated to my wonderful wife Francine, who listens and encourages and is always there to keep me focused! What would I do without her?
Closed Doors The design and photography in this book are Copyright Š2013 by the author Michael Critchley. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any mechanical or electronic means without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Photography: Michael Critchley Design/Text: Michael Critchley
Observations of space, colour and texture Through my viewfinder, walls with doors and windows are an excellent subject for my ‘abstractions’ – flat, and with hardly any depth, they are the instant abstract/semi-abstract canvas and should be viewed as such. Together, with the placement of hinges and locks, downpipes, stairs and various other objects, they all combine to create the composition. These are not what you would class as competition photographs, ‘open’ or ‘record’, but purely a collection of images with shapes, objects and textures I have seen with my camera. (The small framed photographs help to show the composition, not just the elements.)
Le Quesnoy, France The eye is directed to the door by the green stairs and the dominant shape of the white balustrade. I like the shadows of the stairs under the balcony adding a triangular shape to the already present circular and rectangular shapes. Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 320 1/1000 @ Ć’6.3
Waddington, England Two locks are better than one – this door is obviously twice as secure! I like the pairs of objects in this shot, and the imprints on this well-used changing room door at the local football field. Canon EOS 7D EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM ISO 400 1/640 @ ƒ5.6
Waddington, England A simple composition of ‘Splat’ and hinge from the same location as the previous photograph. Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 640 1/500 @ ƒ5.6
Keighley, England A single brass bolt holds this broken hinge to the door. I like the negative hinge image and the subtle colours of the revealed wood . Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 800 1/80 @ Ć’7.1
Le Cateau-CambrĂŠsis, France The three boarded windows that flank this impressive door suggest that better times have been had before. I like the painted house number the two metal doors to the cellar. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 320 1/160 @ Ć’5.6
Clitheroe, England The prepared surface of this unfinished wall contrasts with the smooth sandstone and dark burgundy coloured door. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 400 1/80 @ Ć’6.3
Villers-Pol, France There were so many bright brick houses in this village. Definitely no two bricks alike in this wall! I like the contrast of colour and size of the stones around the door and the position of the plastic elements. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 125 1/250 @ Ć’8
Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland These door surrounds were made to last. Obviously the door didn’t. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 400 1/200 @ ƒ7.1
Cala de la Invencible, Spain Looks like the door was extracted, then walled up again. Obviously the lintel, door and frame where of some value. Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ Ć’9
Staithes, England Two doors are better than one I suppose. Can’t imagine why anyone would want to open a door to open the door. Notice the clever use of green painted render to increase the size of the wooden frame. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 640 1/60 @ ƒ6.3
Mojácar, Spain I like ‘white-on-white, photographs as they eliminate one element – colour – and allow me to view and concentrate on shape and texture only. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ11
MojĂĄcar, Spain Interesting shapes, textures and patterns and if you need storage, just knock a hole in the wall and improvise. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ Ć’11
Staithes, England I like the way the left hand wall is being pushed back into shape by the angle of tiles coming from the left. The blue textured door contrasts well with the red brick wall and terracotta tiles. Simple shapes, angles and pattern. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 640 1/30 @ Ć’6.3
Mojácar, Spain My attention was drawn to this bright blue door and chain which was holding back a mountain of rubble. Health and Safety… what’s that? Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ11
Águilas, Spain A simple composition of halves with pattern, texture, colour and objects. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ9
Águilas, Spain Two objects, beautiful colour and texture. Click! Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/400 @ ƒ11
Mojácar, Spain There’s a door in there somewhere. Chaotic patterns of lines and shadows. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/320 @ ƒ11
Clitheroe, England A simple geometric composition with the two white doors and heavy stone surrounds. Perhaps one is a granny flat! Canon EOS 7D EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM ISO 400 1/2000 @ Ć’11
San Juan de los Terreros, Spain A strong contrast of smooth shiny white door and rough textured wall. White on white. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ Ć’11
MojĂĄcar, Spain A moveable pattern of beaded bamboo contrasts with the rigid grid of metal bars. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/250 @ Ć’11
Clitheroe, England Concrete render and black pealing paint, with a black door latch painted to match the brass barrel. Obviously some thought gone into the co-ordination! Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/250 @ Ć’8
Bruges, Belgium A central composition with elements. Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 320 1/200 @ Ć’9
Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France Strong horizontal, vertical and diagonal shapes. I like the ‘transparent’ appearance of the white circle, while the white square is opaque. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 320 1/50 @ ƒ5.6
Mojácar, Spain A composition of thirds with white on white shapes and areas. Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/400 @ ƒ11
The photographs in this book are an attempt to form a link between photography and abstract art. They are not emotionally inspired from the depths of my soul, but pure observations of the environment surrounding me. Having lived within the influence of an arty family certainly helps, but once you are aware of certain design principles, the world is full of visual excitement which doesn’t have to follow the ‘Rule of Thirds’. The art is in seeing. I hope you enjoy this book and are inspired to look at things differently. Michael Critchley