Andres Valdespino
January 2025 - Cracked Glass
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
A few months ago, a weed whacker managed to send a small pebble at high speed into the double paned glass of a sliding door at my house. It took months to get it replaced, which gave me time to look at it a lot. Tempered glass does not shatter so it makes interesting patterns. I took close up shots of some of the patterns and created a series. The main one has the point of impact close to the center. High humidity inside that room created the water droplets that are on the second pane of the window. The vertical one shows the center at the bottom with the pattern going on for several feet. I do not think it fits the definition of "abstract" photography. Would this be considered macro? Look forward to your comments.
I took the main photo with a Canon 90D with a 24-104mm lens at f/4.0, 1/125 shutter speed. I did some minor processing in Lightroom, mostly to increase the blue tint.
12 comments posted
Hi Andres. To answer your question…one could consider this a close-up abstract rather than a "macro" abstract, strictly speaking. The cracks form interesting visual patterns but I don't think the color adds anything. You might consider a monochrome version and experiment with contrast. Alternatively you might try one of the Artistic filters in Photoshop for some interesting effects. Be aware you have to convert your 16 bit image to 8 bits in order to use the Artistic filters. To do that, go to the IMAGE menu then choose MODE>8bit. Give it a try. Posted: 01/06/2025 14:54:18
Thanks Michael. I took your suggestion to convert to monochrome and played with the contrast. Had less success with the Artistic Filters but will keep trying. Thanks again. Posted: 01/19/2025 21:41:03
Hi Andres,
So sorry for having a cracked glass at your sliding door. I admire you for taking a negative situation and shift it to an art work. The patterns of the crack are beautiful and the composition of each one of the 4 versions has its own unique look. You can save them for your future use in creativity. I did buy the cracked patterns online in the past for my creative photography.
In my personal opinion, the Original and Original 3 fit the "abstract" definition since the subjects are not identified. As this image was captured by your 24-104 mm lens, it would be categorized as a close-up shot since the macro lens would achieve at least a 1:1 magnification. Nice shot! Posted: 01/07/2025 14:34:42
So sorry for having a cracked glass at your sliding door. I admire you for taking a negative situation and shift it to an art work. The patterns of the crack are beautiful and the composition of each one of the 4 versions has its own unique look. You can save them for your future use in creativity. I did buy the cracked patterns online in the past for my creative photography.
In my personal opinion, the Original and Original 3 fit the "abstract" definition since the subjects are not identified. As this image was captured by your 24-104 mm lens, it would be categorized as a close-up shot since the macro lens would achieve at least a 1:1 magnification. Nice shot! Posted: 01/07/2025 14:34:42
Thanks for your help with classification and your comments on the photos. Posted: 01/19/2025 21:42:40
Andres, I love that you found this an excellent photo subject. At least the pebble got something right. All of your originals are interesting and any one could be used as the final product. I think because you came in closer for your final result, there are fewer cracks to see. You used those other lines which show up in some of th originals in your final output and it gives more interest to the image. However, I do like tiny cracks better for some reason. They're all great, I think and aside from maybe having more of the cracks showing in your final product, one is as interesting as the other. I see that you took he as a series which was a good idea. Posted: 01/11/2025 00:30:28
Thanks Joan. I'm glad you enjoyed the series. Posted: 01/19/2025 21:44:24
Andres, I'm so sorry about your shattered window, but kudos for taking the opportunity for interesting photography. I agree with Michael and Kieu-Hanh, that the photo would fit the "abstract" category. The cracks form interesting patterns and lines. My first thought was to use these photos as backgrounds for composite images. This might work especially well with a photo of an elderly person, an old building, or antique item. Posted: 01/11/2025 15:21:10
Thanks Ruth. I am not adept yet at making composite photos but will keep trying. But certainly thanks for the suggestion. I had not thought of that. Posted: 01/19/2025 21:46:01
Andres, sorry to hear about your shattered window but as others have said, it presented a great creative opportunity. I personally would consider these abstract. And, as Ruth indicated, my first thought was to use as backgrounds for composites or blending photos. Interesting idea here. I like the featured one the best with the cracks and a hint of blue. Posted: 01/14/2025 00:08:48
Thanks MaryAnn. SAs I mentioned to Ruth I am not adept at making composites but will use this opportunity to learn. Posted: 01/19/2025 21:46:54
Adres,
Sorry about the door. Last time that it happened to us, it was cheaper to replace the whole door. I kind of like the color. I wonder if the image could be used as some sort of textured background in Photoshop; something I don't know how to do. Posted: 01/17/2025 23:24:28
Sorry about the door. Last time that it happened to us, it was cheaper to replace the whole door. I kind of like the color. I wonder if the image could be used as some sort of textured background in Photoshop; something I don't know how to do. Posted: 01/17/2025 23:24:28
Thanks Robert. This was part of a sliding door with four panels so replacing the door would have been way more. :-) I'm using this as a learning opportunity to make it a background in a composite. Posted: 01/19/2025 21:50:20