CREATIVE EYE GROUP MAGAZINE NO. 86 SEPTEMBER 2021
ABSTRACT SIMPLICITY DAVID RUTTER FRPS
T
he thinking behind my
gently across the scene. Finding
image time and time and time
submitted ready for the 11th
panel of images was
lines and shapes by looking
again until I eventually shot new
March assessment. As I heard
that all images are the
through the viewfinder came
images for single positions in
the assessors comments it was
same. Since they are simply
easily some days but then it
the panel in order that the lines,
with huge pleasure and relief
millions of pixels they could be
might take a week to find a
shapes and shadows all fell in
that the depth of thought and
arranged in a particular order
new curve or shape or direction
the best places to suit a logical
emotion that had gone into
to present a still life flower or
of light which would create
panel arrangement.
my images was now being
in a different order they will
another pleasing image.
become a sweeping landscape
After photographing
or a weeping willow or a
numerous three dimensional
leaping tiger, of course the list
“scenes” from the horizontal
is endless.
viewpoint I proceeded to
I wanted to break down
arrange top down images
the elements of photography
created by layering, stepping,
into a basic form and create
and offsetting the subject and
images that would define the
introducing a second light
fundamental ingredients and be
source between layers – this
creative in the process. But how
second light led to the creation
could I express my thoughts
of the centre “triangle” image.
about this basic concept as
I have no real explanation
a graphic study purely in the
as to where the compositional
terms of lines, colour, light and
ideas came from but the
shade? Fortunately, I stumbled
ideas flowed as I created
across the perfect material
some scenes by forming a
subject that allowed me to play
background mid-ground and
with with shape and light until
foreground and other scenes
eventually my panel emerged.
with simpler layers. Some
The practical method of
images relied upon vertical
creating these images is to
components for their structure
hold the material within a
and others with horizontals,
sort of wooden box with two
some used a mixture of both
sides removed and no lid.
with twisted or spiralled rolls
Various clamps and tools were
upon them.
employed to hold the material
I continued shooting and
in place whilst I then used a
the panel appeared before
single softbox to feather light
me as I replaced the weakest
8
After five months my
recognised and I was absolutely
shooting concluded in February
delighted to achieve the
2021 and my panel was
Fellowship.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Abstract Simplicity
I invite you to join my celebration of style and look beyond the subject. My images provide identity with soul through creative technique, this enhances the image structure and substance and thereby benefits the visual perception. The composition of lines, shadows, texture, tone, colour, and space enthral me but it is my love of light and shade rising and falling across simple components that I find most beautiful and compelling. My images take a minimalist approach with abstract realism to demonstrate a creative identity with a very simple material subject. Harnessing differing shades of the three pillar stones of photographic colour: red, green and blue, I have painstakingly blended them with the fundamental ingredient of light to create carefully lit scenes transitioning from soft light to dark shadow in combination with a soft focus fall off. Here I present my love of the fundamental elements of photography as Abstract Simplicity. Website: davidrutterphotography.com RPS Portfolio Examples: https://bit.ly/3fJqymO
