Photography by Michael Critchley
A collection of abstract compositions using colour texture and shape
My photography is influenced by abstract art and my profession as a graphic designer. I love to find photographic compositions within flat surfaces or with the inclusion of man-made objects which give the image reality. I see the objects as colour and shape , not what the object is – a pipe, a window, a seat – and compose these elements into interesting arrangements. Nothing is moved or rearranged to create the composition, this is how I saw and recorded them. They are my visual notebook.
COLOUR TEXTURE SHAPE The images are quite intricate and exact with particular attention to positioning and the relationship of the objects to each other. Proportion, ratios and areas of interest are created were lines and shapes intersect. Bright and subtle colours, rough and smooth texture, large and small objects, all work together to created these compositions. There’s much to photograph but not enough time to do it. I hope you enjoy them!
COLOUR, TEXTURE, SHAPE The design and photography in this book are Copyright ©2016 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
A composition with horizontal negative space – the strong blue sky against the peach coloured textured building divided vertically by a palm tree stem. The eye journeys from left to right and encounters objects and interesting shapes – a square, a circle, two round hooks and a moire-patterned rectangle. Then on past the two turrets in front of a dome and finally out of the picture. A journey down the palm tree reveals a semi-circle and a quarter-circle hidden in the shadow.
Blue and white compositions with added colour. The vertical grey street sign shadow divides the blue and white wave forms. Strong black rectangles are the dominant shape in the top picture. A black spiral staircase in the middle one and the green roof in the bottom picture.
I noticed this composition of lines and textures whilst walking up a flight of steps divided by metal railings. My eyes were drawn to the silver flexible insulation fixed to the wall that shone brightly against the dark brown background.
I love the freedom found in continental village walls after a repair or new installation of household services. Layer upon layer of new stucco work, interspersed with rectilinear metal boxes, creates interesting compositions of colour and texture.
Man-made angles and natural forms are an interesting combination.
Two pictures of invading masses of colour, encroaching onto the textured surfaces.
The main picture is one of my favourite ‘semi-abstracts’. I love the way the tiled roofs appear on the flat wall surfaces – floating on a sea of khaki.
I use lines in my compositions to guide the viewer through and around the image. Left to right, top to bottom. Giving the eye directions to follow in order to see the total picture. What is contained within the four sides of these images and how they relate to each other is what I want to show in my photos – not just an ‘object’ or ‘subject’ within it.
I like the blue shape against the cream building and the way this image is divided vertically into two halves, then the left half divided vertically again. One half has interesting shapes and divisions of area and the other half is just plain colour. I like empty space in my pictures with separate areas of ‘activity’ or something happening.
The landscape here is visible between two large blocks of flats and is an often photographed vista. I didn’t want to photograph something that thousands of people have already done, so I continued down the road a few meters and saw these three windows on the white wall. This to me is a more interesting picture. Again, empty space and separate areas of ‘activity’ or something contrasting happening. The slight curve of the white wall reminds me of a curtain being drawn back to reveal the landscape behind.
Colour, texture and shapes with locks.
Brown rectangles and patterns on a grey background. The eye travels from left to right, up and down along the window frames or following the three locks, journeying through different patterns of wood and metal. I like the serrated shadow edge and dotted line of holes at the top.
Various compositions with seating.
Two ‘black’ images with a rope dividing the the right-hand side. I love the ‘activity’ of the boat against the black background.
An interesting composition of colours, lines and wet texture. The can, pouring out its spilled plastic bag content, adds interest.
The next 12 pages are about doors and openings and the space beside them. There’s a strange mystery about going through a door or opening. In these compositions, I like the narrow ‘activity’ in the openings and the empty space leading to it.
The main picture is an interesting composition with lines and semi-circles.
Texture, pattern and composition is everywhere. I will always find an interesting image out there.
Simple shapes and objects on plain backgrounds.
A composition with harmonious colours, regular curves and angles and irregular curves and textures. I like how the left hand straight border contrasts with the right hand curved border. Similar to the straight edges and curves of the letter boxes.
“Photography has no rules, it is not a sport. It is the result which counts, no matter how it is achieved.� Bill Brandt