Abstracted Reality

Jane Trotter’s Contemporary Abstract Photography

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

The Transformative Process

If you’ve been reading about my background on the website you’ll definitely know by now that music has been a huge part of my life and was my first creative endeavour before I even began to think about photography.

Those of you with musical knowledge yourselves will have spotted my musical ‘homage’ in the title of my galleries.

Over the next few months, I plan to do a series of short ‘In Harmony’ articles examining why I like to take abstract images – in particular, to what extent my musical background and training has influenced my photography.

On the surface you may think these two disciplines have very little in common, but I hope to reveal that there is, in fact, much overlay in the creative process.

Treble Clef - Abstract Art by Jane Trotter

Treble Clef

Bestow greater meaning & significance

Let’s consider the word ‘transform’ – it holds great significance for me, both as a musician and as a photographer.  When I’m playing a piece, or teaching a student, I’m taking the basic notes on a page and transforming them into sound with meaning, structure, character and emotion.  As an abstract photographer I also begin with an object in its ‘basic state’ and then transform it into something beyond itself, hopefully also bestowing a greater meaning and significance than it otherwise would have possessed.

At an even more fundamental level, musicians translate patterns and interpret shape, both visually and aurally.  First and foremost, we learn to link what we see with what we hear.  Visually we’re analysing and interpreting all of the patterns presented to us on the score, recognising pitch and melodic shape, rhythmic construction and how phrases inter-relate and complement one another.

Excerpt from Chopin Polonaise Op.71 No.2

Excerpt from Chopin Polonaise Op.71 No.2

Responding to shape & pattern

Having thought about all of this, it came as no surprise to me that I respond primarily to ‘shape’ and ‘pattern’ within an image.  While colour and colour combinations are also very important, I tend to use colour as a means of highlighting and dramatising these aspects.

So having an appreciation and understanding of form, balance, pattern, shape, structure and correct proportion are all necessary tools for a musician.  I’ve come to realise that in my photography, I need and use exactly the same set of skills when composing my images.

In abstract photography, often there aren’t the usual frames of reference for the viewer; they’re not looking at anything immediately recognisable or discernible.  Developing a keen awareness of how I choose to analyse and organise the component shapes and patterns within my image, making a meaningful visual statement, is very much akin to being aware of the structural and musical characteristics of a piece and deciding how best to translate those into a meaningful musical performance.

Effect is greater than the sum of its parts

As with a piece of music, the image itself begins with an intrinsic form, patterning and structure to help convey its meaning and intent.  But then a transformation takes place where the effect on the listener or viewer is far greater than the sum of its parts.  We see and hear something more, experience something outside of ourselves and connect on a very personal and intimate level.

Such is the transformative power of music and abstract photography.

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.

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

Exposed #1: Colour Cathedral

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 'Colour Cathedral' stop reading now!

Colour Cathedral - Abstract Art by Jane Trotter

‘Colour Cathedral’ is the perfect example of the happy marriage between my music and my photography.

One day I decided to hang my colourful stripy scarf on the bookcase at the end of my piano.  The instrument’s black sheen and the reflections captured in it had always intrigued me.

Then I hit upon the idea of looking along the inside of the upturned piano lid and set up my camera at the opposite end of the piano.  This gave me a lengthy tunneling effect and more importantly, created a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes as the scarf was reflected in multiple surfaces.

This is the original, source image for ‘Colour Cathedral’.  The hinges you see in the bottom right corner belong to the lid of the piano.  In the final presentation, I rotated the image 180 degrees (as this was a far better orientation), did a little judicious cropping and tidied up the blemishes.

I hope that gives you a little insight into how I create my ‘in camera’ abstracts.  Stay tuned for more installments in the ‘Exposed’ series.

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.
Please share this with your friendsShare on FacebookShare on LinkedinShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13

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

Take your pick…

Exposed #17: Solar Flare

I always like to keep a selection of the images I take from a photo shoot. Firstly, I’ll choose the … [Read More...]

‘Migrant Mother’ by Dorothea Lange

Sometimes a photograph can stop you in your tracks – you’re almost spellbound and its power deeply … [Read More...]

Exposed #16: Back in the Fold

With today’s abundance of technology and amazing gadgets, it’s easy to forget about the humble piece … [Read More...]

An Evolutionary Viewpoint – How Ideas Grow and Develop

Creativity is a wonderful thing. Never static, your mind can be subconsciously mulling over ideas … [Read More...]

Exposed #15: Splay of Colour

I’m always on the lookout for colourful things which I think might be useful for my photography. But … [Read More...]

Exposed #14: Fish out of Water & Three of a Kind

I love playing around with images. For me, one of the greatest challenges and pleasures is taking a … [Read More...]

Artwork I Grew Up With – ‘Tree’ (1943)

'Tree' (1943) by New Zealand artist Rita Angus is the fourth addition in my series of Blog posts … [Read More...]

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...]

Artwork I Grew Up With – ‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’

I’m delighted to present the third instalment in my series of Blog posts where I take a nostalgic … [Read More...]

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...]

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 © 2014–2019 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