Kiss of Light
I have always searched for beautiful or exciting and possibly unique images. This has been true for my photography and it is still the driving force in the creation of my digital abstract images. As a photographer I have never been confident my images are unique: there is always the sense that another photographer could take or have taken a nearly identical photo. But when I produce abstract work it is highly unlikely that another artists would produce a near identical picture.
I make digital abstract images. When I start on a new image, I do in general not have a vision in my mind of the end result. Instead I have just my curiosity: In the same way I have always approached my photography: What can I find? So the question is, how do I find my images?
I always start with some kind of “seed” picture. For this I take a photograph or make a simple digital sketch. I then use digital image processing tools to change that picture. The core tool in my workflow is a morphing tool and I have a selection of these, some of which are of my own design. Using one of these, my first step is often to look for new shapes in the image. And that is sort of a journey of discovery.
While I am working I observe the effects of the tool I'm using, looking at the changes in the picture in real time until I reach a point where the result excites me and I feel it’s “right”. I then freeze that step in the process and continue doing the same using different tools until I “discover” the final result. Finally, I fine-tune the colours and tones to ensure the image has maximum impact.
The discovery of a new image gives me immense pleasure. Not only because, per definition, I like the picture that I made. But also because I know that, at that moment, not a single person has ever seen that picture before. And I can’t wait to show it to the world!
Just to give you an idea of the scope of the changes I can make, look at the image ‘The Flame’. I made it from a black white photograph I took of the iconic Flat Iron building in New York City. There must be millions of photographs of that building. But I am certain that my image is unique.
The Flame
To illustrate my journey from photographer to digital artist I have compiled a booklet that maps by examples the development of the tools I use in my work. You can order a signed copy through my contact page or you can order it from Amazon here.
