Focal Point - Part Two

Focal Point 011
2010
© Larry Torno

I had such positive feedback and increased viewership since last week's post, that I decided to release a second image in the Focal Point series. Thanks everyone, and keep the emails and comments coming.
     The most common question asked about the first photo was, "What is it?". While I realize the need to discern the subject matter, I hoped the photo would be experienced as an individual viewpoint. So, I respond with my own question, "What do you think it is?"
     Today's post, Focal Point 011, is another of many photos taken in October, 2010; so many that I can't recall the subject matter in some images and that's just fine with me. I'd rather see the subtle blue creeping into the bottom, right-hand corner, or the darkened edge along the top or the way the green and ivory separate more softly in certain areas. This is why I shot these images. When viewed close up at the 30" x 20" size, your field of vision is consumed in soft undulating colors that keep shifting shapes.

Coming Soon - Focal Point

Focal Point 022

2010

© Larry Torno

The gallery owner's first reaction to this image was "This is a photograph?" and I knew I was onto something. Focal Point 022 is the first image in a new series of nontraditional photos.  

     As a young boy, I was oblivious to the norm. If everybody went to the right, I went to the left. Once, I thought it would be a great idea to turn our neighbor's sliding board upside down. Since it was my brilliant idea, I got to go first. I ended up with stitches in my leg from the rusty bolts sticking out of the bottom of the slide, and a painful tetanus shot to ward off infection. 

     Focal Point 022 is the adult version of the overturned sliding board. While everyone is figuring out how to sharpen their images, I wondered what I could make my camera do that it wasn't really intended to do; render subject matter so far out of focus that it's no longer relevant or distinguishable as it's original content.  

     This series of images is printed in a large 

30" x 20" format. At this size, you can stare into the photographs and experience them on a purely visceral level. The balance, depth and composition of the images yield shape and form not visible at first glance. I like studying the subtleties of the transparent colors and the seamless nature of their infrastructures. 

Botanica - Part Nine

Zebra
2010
© Larry Torno

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know that recently I broke my camera. I replaced it with the New and Improved version (which means that my Old and Trusted lens doesn't fit). No problem.
     I take my new camera, approach an image like I used to, find out what my limitations are, and discover something new. I'm not good with "How to" manuals but I am good with "What happens if . . . ?"
     Isn't that what art is all about; trial and error, failure and success, disappointment and discovery?
     I never would have seen the Zebra in this image unless my new camera didn't act like my old one.

Overhead Projections - Part Six

Sculpted Sky
2011
© Larry Torno


Sculpted Sky is another image in the series, Overhead Projections.
     I discovered this photo opportunity after I failed to get a decent shot at another location just a half hour earlier. The elongated, diagonal cloud caught my eye and I searched nearby for something to include in the foreground.
     I've passed by this series of sculptures many times and have never appreciated them until the day that the light was right, the sky was right and the composition was right.

NEWS - 2010 Favorite

Photographer Aline Smithson recently brought together almost 400 artists from around the world in an online exhibition of favorite images of 2010. The participants ranged from those whose work is being showcased for the first time, to significant photographers who have had museum exhibitions. I liked her comment, "why not bump up against each other once in awhile?"  
     Some other quotes from Aline that resonate loudly with me are "I try to look for or create moments that are at once familiar, yet unexpected. The odd juxtapositions that we find in life are worth exploring, whether it is with humor, compassion, or by simply taking the time to see them." "I have been greatly influenced by the Japanese concept of celebrating a singular object. I tend to isolate subject matter and look for complexity in simple images, providing an opportunity for telling a story in which all is not what it appears to be."
     For these reasons, I submitted Dragonscape, an image I created in the sweltering heat of the summer of 2010. There's a simplistic beauty in this image that I found captivating and am glad that it was included in Aline's post.    
     The entire collection of images can be found at Aline's blogspot, Lenscratch.