{"id":19779,"date":"2020-12-09T06:00:06","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T11:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/?p=19779"},"modified":"2021-01-14T00:18:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-14T05:18:05","slug":"january-12-2021-education-training-abstract-photography-with-mike-whalen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/january-12-2021-education-training-abstract-photography-with-mike-whalen\/","title":{"rendered":"January 12, 2021: Education &#038; Training \u2013 Abstract Photography with Mike Whalen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mike-Whalen-Head-shot-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19774\" width=\"192\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mike-Whalen-Head-shot.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mike-Whalen-Head-shot-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mike-Whalen-Head-shot-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mike-Whalen-Head-shot-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Abstract-Photography-Title-Image-Mike-Whalen.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Abstract-Photography-Title-Image-Mike-Whalen.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19970\" width=\"245\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Abstract-Photography-Title-Image-Mike-Whalen.jpg 960w, https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Abstract-Photography-Title-Image-Mike-Whalen-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Abstract-Photography-Title-Image-Mike-Whalen-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Most photography is based on capturing real, easily recognizable subjects such as a people, places, or things. Abstract photography is different. Instead, the objective is to look for simpler visual elements such as: shapes and colors; lines and curves; textures, tones, and patterns. These simple elements become the dominant points of interest in abstract photos.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sources could be either naturally occurring or man-made, and of any size. Frequently, small areas of larger physical objects can make interesting abstracts. The images could be found as-is, staged, or generated in-camera. They could also be further altered within a computer via post-processing to produce even more dramatic results.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scope of&nbsp; abstract photography is quite broad and definitions may vary depending on who you talk to or what you read. To add even more confusion,&nbsp; images could be totally abstract &#8211; having no connection to physical reality, or partially abstract &#8211; by mixing both physical and abstract elements together in the same photo.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This presentation will show a broad variety of both abstract and semi-abstract images, and in many cases, how they were created will be described. All images are either photographs, or derived from photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mike&#8217;s presentation can be viewed here:  <a href=\"\/presentations\/Abstract Photography-Mike Whalen-January12-2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Abstract Photography-Mike Whalen-January 12-2021<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;(Username and Password required.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BIO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a teen, Mike learned a few basic photo tips from his father, an artist and photographer. He dabbled with film cameras in the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s, and after that, played with several digital point-and-shoots.&nbsp; However, his interest became more passionate after purchasing a basic DSLR in 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mike joined NVPS in 2009 after learning about the club from fellow member, Willa Friedman. He held board positions from 2010 to the present, including President in 2013. He received several distinguished service awards and multiple competition awards thru the years including image-of-the-year in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before COVID, Mike volunteered weekly as a pet photographer for the <strong>Fairfax County Animal Shelter<\/strong> and, and as an event photographer for charitable organization\u2019s such as: T<strong>he National Ovarian Cancer Coalition<\/strong> and <strong>The Epilepsy Foundation of America<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mike says that joining NVPS was a significant step in furthering his passion for photography.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Examples of Abstract Images<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-4 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/075_20160515_IMGL2528.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/075_20160515_IMGL2528-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"20643\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/075_20160515_IMGL2528.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/january-12-2021-education-training-abstract-photography-with-mike-whalen\/075_20160515_imgl2528\/\" class=\"wp-image-20643\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/191_20130511_0H7B7925-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/191_20130511_0H7B7925-2-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"20645\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/191_20130511_0H7B7925-2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/january-12-2021-education-training-abstract-photography-with-mike-whalen\/191_20130511_0h7b7925-2\/\" class=\"wp-image-20645\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/003_20150526_IMGL4254-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/003_20150526_IMGL4254-Edit-Edit-Edit-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"20644\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/003_20150526_IMGL4254-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/january-12-2021-education-training-abstract-photography-with-mike-whalen\/003_20150526_imgl4254-edit-edit-edit\/\" class=\"wp-image-20644\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/003_20171129_IMG_1451-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit-5-Edit-Edit.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/003_20171129_IMG_1451-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit-5-Edit-Edit-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"20646\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/003_20171129_IMG_1451-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit-5-Edit-Edit.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/january-12-2021-education-training-abstract-photography-with-mike-whalen\/003_20171129_img_1451-edit-edit-edit-edit-5-edit-edit\/\" class=\"wp-image-20646\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a small sampling of online articles and galleries showing abstract photography. The NVACC Gallery shows abstract photography from the last 10 years of exhibits at the <a href=\"http:\/\/nvacc.org\/home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Joseph Miller Center<\/a>. Quite a few images are from current and former NVPS members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Tips on Creating Abstract Photography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nvacc.org\/Booklets_files\/24_Abstract%20Photography.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Abstract Photography Booklet by Joseph Miller<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iphotography.com\/blog\/what-is-abstract-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\">What is Abstract Photography<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/abstract-photography-for-beginners-9-tips-for-capturing-stunning-abstract-images\" target=\"_blank\">Abstract Photography for Beginners: 9 Tips for Capturing Stunning Abstract Images<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/photographylife.com\/abstract-photography-tips-and-ideas#once-you-remove-the-subject-whats-left\" target=\"_blank\">35 Abstract Photography Tips and Ideas<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Selected galleries of abstract&nbsp;and semi-abstract images:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/nvacc.org\/home\/gallery\/\" target=\"_blank\">NVACC Gallery of Abstract Photography Exhibits<\/a>  (Joseph Miller Center for the Photographic Arts)<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amietannphoto.com\/\">Amie Tannenbaum &#8211; Natural Light Photography<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/nvps.org\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NVPSAbstractPresentation-Joe-Miller.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Joseph Miller NVPS Abstract Photography Presentation &#8211; February 8, 2011<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.photo.net\/search\/#\/abstract\/Sort-Newest\/All-Categories\/All-Time\/Page-2\">Examples of Abstract Images #1 (photo.net)<\/a>\u00a0<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=abstract+photography&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjK7fT2hKvtAhWWZ98KHdNiAuAQ2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=abstract+photography&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1AAWABg-OoFaABwAHgAgAEAiAEAkgEAmAEAqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=yEzFX8rpGZbP_QbTxYmADg&amp;bih=1298&amp;biw=2560&amp;gl=ar&amp;hl=en\">Examples of Abstract Images #2 (Google)<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Program Most photography is based on capturing real, easily recognizable subjects such as a people, places, or things. Abstract photography is different. 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