Abstracted Reality

Jane Trotter’s Contemporary Abstract Photography

  • Home
  • Galleries
  • Shop
  • About
  • Blog
  • Exposed
  • All Articles
  • Personal Perspective
  • Thinking Abstract
  • Talking Triptychs
  • Exposed
  • In Harmony

Exposed #4: Ghost in the Machine

Spoiler Alert!  In my 'Exposed' series of articles I reveal some of the secrets behind how I created my images.  If you don't want to know how I made 'Ghost in the Machine' stop reading now!
Ghost in the Machine - Abstract Art by Jane Trotter

Ghost in the Machine

We can all spend a great deal of time in the kitchen. If you’re anything like me, more often than not you’re in a rush to get the evening meal underway after a long days work, you’re washing dishes, or tidying up benches, hastily putting away the ingredients after baking a delicious chocolate apple cake – my speciality!

While the kitchen is undoubtedly a culinary creative hub, the results of which are praised and enthusiastically devoured by family and friends, it can also be a source of inspiration for many photographic adventures!

One day, when I hadn’t managed to tidy things away quite as promptly as I usually do, I noticed the can opener lying next to the cheese grater. What caught my attention was the oddly shaped and somewhat distorted reflection of the can opener in the curved metal surface.

Reflections in cheese grater for 'Ghost in the Machine'

Reflections in cheese grater

Always on the lookout for potential abstracts, I couldn’t let this one pass me by. In the hope of garnering some additional reflective possibilities, I moved my grater and can opener over to the stainless steel section of the bench and then began to play.

There’s always a ‘settling in’ period when I first begin a photo shoot – when I’m getting a feel for my subject matter and what can be revealed. Manoeuvring the can opener around in one hand while photographing with the other, I began to explore the different shapes and patterns I could create in the reflection.

It wasn’t long before I was beginning to see a face in my images. A strange, angular and disturbing character began to manifest itself – my ‘Ghost in the Machine’ was trying to escape! I loved the material I was getting and followed this direction, gathering multiple images of my sorrowful looking phantom.

Original 'in camera' image for 'Ghost in the Machine'

In Camera Image

To the left is the original, ‘in camera’ shot and the one I thought best captured the expression of this tortured soul.

My decision to do the photo shoot over the stainless steel section of my bench top paid off. The extra light from this surface helped to highlight the red sleeve of the jersey I was wearing. Reflected in the grater, this gives the ghost a strange, serpentine ‘neck’.

To present the final image, I’ve worked on enhancing the colours, particularly the golden tones, and cropped in tightly around the ‘face’.

Finally, I must confess to indulging in a little creative licence. In the final presentation, the eye on the left has been cloned in from the right, partly to provide balance to the image, but mostly – I just drew the line at having a one-eyed ghost!

Abstracts in Action - Photographer Jane Trotter

Cheese grater meets can opener meets abstract photographer!


Jane Trotter - Creator of Abstracted RealityJane Trotter is an abstract photographer living in Dunedin, New Zealand. Reimagining everyday objects found around the home, Jane transforms them into colourful and dramatic pieces of contemporary art. Her Fine Art Prints are available in sizes A4 to A1.

Let's stay in touch - Sign up to Abstracted Reality's Newsletter

Keep up to date with all the latest articles, images and everything that's been happening in the world of Abstracted Reality.

Please share this with your friendsShare on FacebookShare on LinkedinShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

Transform Your Everyday with Abstracted Reality

Receive exclusive subscriber discounts and all the latest news

Follow me on Social Media

Visit us on FacebookVisit us on LinkedinVisit us on TwitterVisit us on Pinterest

Multiple Exposure

Exposed #13: Prismatic

Exposed #13: Prismatic

It’s amazing what your subconscious can come up with. A shot can be years in the making if you go … [Read More...]

Exposed #12: Tulip

Exposed #12: Tulip

Sometimes you hold onto an image and you don’t know why. There’s a little voice in the back of your … [Read More...]

Exposed #11: Colour Contours

Exposed #11: Colour Contours

Often we take everyday scenes for granted and don’t give much thought to what secret, artistic … [Read More...]

Exposed #10: Blinded by the Light

Exposed #10: Blinded by the Light

I love the moment when something unexpected and special catches your eye and you feel compelled to … [Read More...]

Exposed #9: Angel Wing

Exposed #9: Angel Wing

Divine Intervention? Whether it was by divine intervention or pure serendipity, the image ‘Angel … [Read More...]

Exposed #8: Mystique & Astral Plane

Exposed #8: Mystique & Astral Plane

I can’t help myself. When it comes to colourful objects I’m like a moth to a flame! So when I was … [Read More...]

Exposed #7: Crescent Moon over Martian Dunes

Exposed #7: Crescent Moon over Martian Dunes

Sometimes you’re on a mission – I really wanted to find something to photograph which was completely … [Read More...]

Exposed #6: Deus Ex Machina

Exposed #6: Deus Ex Machina

OK – so the laundry isn’t exactly the most exciting, sophisticated or glamorous location for a photo … [Read More...]

Exposed #5: First Contact

Exposed #5: First Contact

They say oil and water don’t mix. I beg to differ! Throw in something which will provide a … [Read More...]

Exposed #4: Ghost in the Machine

Exposed #4: Ghost in the Machine

We can all spend a great deal of time in the kitchen. If you’re anything like me, more often than … [Read More...]

Follow me on Social Media

Visit us on FacebookVisit us on LinkedinVisit us on TwitterVisit us on Pinterest
All material on this website is protected by copyright.  No content may be reproduced without express written permission from the author.
Contact Me
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2014–2018 Jane Trotter · All Rights Reserved

Be the first to read a new article when it comes out!

Sign up to my newsletter and I'll let you know when I've penned another.
x