David Terao
February 2025 - Worm Driver
Original
About the Image(s)
This month, I'm submitting an abstract smoke image. Every winter, I shoot a bunch of smoke images for an annual abstract photo exhibit. Also, it has been difficult to shoot outside recently because it's been way too cold. After shooting many images, I try to find smoke images that resemble a person, animal or object even if it requires using some imagination and rotating or flipping the original image. I do not manipulate the image other than cropping and adjusting the tonality and presence sliders in Lightroom. I use two strobes (one on each side of an incense stick) and a black background.
6 comments posted
It is a fascinating image and well photographed and presented. I see an eye and a snout but I don't understand the title. I see a sea horse at the top of your original. The great thing about abstract images such as this is the variety of interpretations that the viewer sees. It's good to see something very different. Posted: 02/04/2025 09:06:19
Thank you, Robert. Funny, I don't see an eye and snout. I won't explain the title just yet. I would like to know what others see in this abstract image. Posted: 02/04/2025 12:07:38
Wow, David! This is spectacular. You say you have a bunch of these? I think a book is in order. It is so smooth with the right contrast to make the smoke stand out. Outstanding work. I was just enjoying the abstract of this composition, but if I must look for an image, I would say I see a duck. Posted: 02/05/2025 15:37:47
Thank you, Cindy. When I said, "I shoot a bunch of smoke images," I meant I take hundreds of shots of smoke; but only a handful are worthy of post processing. I'm lucky if I get one decent, final image from hundreds of shots. It's all trial and error. Posted: 02/06/2025 13:29:00
lovely, this is cool, with smoke, it's really no telling what will come out, and each time is like a surprise.
I really like what you do with post. well done.
Posted: 02/06/2025 17:44:48
I really like what you do with post. well done.
Posted: 02/06/2025 17:44:48
Thanks, Charlie. I find it fun to shoot smoke images every once in a while. Posted: 02/06/2025 18:30:04