Photo of the Month 7/12

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 1, 20123,019 views45 comments

Water Current

Months after one of my favorite shoots ever, on the ocean just off the coast of Southern California at these all-natural oil seeps, this ended up being my favorite of the thousand or so captures I made. To me it feels like the sparkle of electricity. To describe what you're seeing here would interfere with the abstract interpretation, and I'm much more interested in hearing your thoughts. What do you see? Does this work for you? I know I get bored with the things I see every day sometimes, and that's one of the main reasons I became a photographer - to look beyond the obvious and create.

Thanks!

Really large version is included.

Comments

45 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 1, 2012 at 10:23 AM

This is absolutely amazing Marc. It looks like a neural network. The fine intricate threads of light in the upper right feeding into the larger arms of light are especially outstanding.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on July 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM

Wonderfully abstract.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 1, 2012 at 11:19 AM

Have to tell you, this image made my day. Hands down the most uplifting abstract I've ever seen, it's almost spiritual in it's intensity...a cosmic plasma giving rise to a new life-form intent on purity and joy. All that from a blob of oil (ain't life grand?)

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Shane McDermott on July 1, 2012 at 11:37 AM

Hi Marc

This is one of my top three favorites of yours. What do I see?

The first subtle manifestations of consciousness arising out of causal emptiness...

Hope you are well

Shane

Registered on November 12, 2007, 49 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 1, 2012 at 11:39 AM

Amazing!! Beautiful to look at. I really like how Nancy Lea described here feelings on this. Seems to fit this image perfectly.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on July 1, 2012 at 11:49 AM

Better than ever, Shane. Thanks for asking! I'm going to send you an email at some point pretty soon.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Vlad Sadovsky on July 1, 2012 at 12:25 PM

Very impressive and something different. With the deep blue and sharp lines it has an interesting sumlime connection to your ice image from the last week.

Registered on November 12, 2010, 48 Posts, 358 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on July 1, 2012 at 12:33 PM

It's a cool image to be sure. Although it doesn't look like much of anything to me. Which I suppose is the whole point, isn't it?

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on July 1, 2012 at 12:45 PM

I've seen these abstracts on your website Marc, and I've enjoyed them all. This is among my favorites. Very well seen!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Cristina Strudthof on July 1, 2012 at 12:55 PM

one of the best abstracts I've seen in a while

Registered on January 14, 2011, 53 Posts, 363 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 1, 2012 at 12:59 PM

Looks like ice or glass. Almost like lightening. Love the small area with the color variations in it. Cool abstract.

Mark

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on July 1, 2012 at 1:02 PM

Thanks, guys. I looked at this again, and although no one mentioned it, it does seem a tad oversharpened to my eye, with some tiny things sticking out more than they should. I appreciate all your thoughts.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on July 1, 2012 at 1:13 PM

Very intriguing abstract. From the thumbnail it reminded me of something you would see from space. Then when you look at it larger it appears more electric. Definitely one of the best abstracts I've seen and really tickles ones imagination.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on July 1, 2012 at 2:05 PM

For me, it invokes the cosmos; it looks like something Hubble would capture. My only suggestion would have been the sharpening, but you beat me to it. (And only the slightest bit less. One of the real attractions is the mirror like quality in portions.)

Funny that the bottom right corner is very similar to your prior ice image, and the rest is from a different world. If you didn't tell people what you were photographing, I'll be many would have a hard time puzzling it out.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Gasior on July 1, 2012 at 2:10 PM

WOW!
Amazing
Very cool abstract picture

Registered on March 7, 2010, 99 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on July 1, 2012 at 2:25 PM

Gorgeous color and tones all come together. This is also makes a strong case for rule of thirds compositon. Always a joy to view your images Marc.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on July 1, 2012 at 3:15 PM

This is an amazing composition. Great abstract

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on July 1, 2012 at 4:32 PM

My first reaction was some ice cracking someplace last winter. But after reading your post I don't think that would happen in southern California. I appreciate very much your artistic eye. You tend to push me to look at the things I want to photograph in different ways. Well seen and very well photographed.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on July 1, 2012 at 5:04 PM

Very beautiful Marc it looks like a plasma discharge. Excellent shot.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on July 1, 2012 at 6:02 PM

I'd rotate it 90CCW
My big imagination sees lots of visions.
"Tesla's Ocean" "Electric Seas"

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on July 1, 2012 at 6:09 PM

A wonderful graphic abstract, Mark! Thoughtfully composed with the central subject over center.
Good tonal variation and interesting lines. The image really has a 3-D effect. There are some
tell-tale oil like colors in the bottom left which are a plus.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on July 1, 2012 at 6:09 PM

Mesmerizing abstract

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Wick Smith on July 1, 2012 at 6:47 PM

killer abstract & well processed.

Registered on June 12, 2009, 91 Posts, 379 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on July 1, 2012 at 7:18 PM

One of the most amazing images I've seen in a long time. Beyond incredible.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on July 1, 2012 at 9:08 PM

This is awesome Marc. Abstract in it's purest form. The sunstar is a nice touch!

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Cliff Dodge on July 1, 2012 at 10:21 PM

I like it sharp Marc. I like the depth and the energy it portrays. Especially energy.

Registered on March 25, 2006, 125 Posts, 507 Comments

Comment posted by Oleg Kuchorenko on July 2, 2012 at 6:14 AM

Looks like some mystical material from galaxy..

Registered on July 2, 2012, 9 Posts, 111 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on July 2, 2012 at 9:19 AM

Almost looks like some kind of molten creature emerging out of this capture, Marc. Wonderful abstract.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Warren on July 3, 2012 at 1:36 AM

What a fascinating capture. It definitely works for me. I see jellyfish, neurons, rainbows, portals to other dimensions.... Very nice capture.

Registered on May 11, 2012, 84 Posts, 931 Comments

Comment posted by Chikku Baiju on July 4, 2012 at 3:44 AM

Very cool mark. This definitely works for me. Love the light on this. Almost looks like boiling ice to me. Those strand looking things below the surface looks super cool.

Registered on January 9, 2010, 31 Posts, 246 Comments

Comment posted by Alister Benn on July 4, 2012 at 6:57 AM

Having seen a few of your natural oil seepage images before I miss the pleasure of not knowing what it is. Allowing myself the leisure to relax my eyes and brain, you're right, it can be anything - a bolt of light, ice, or an aerial of some desert lake. A superb series.

Registered on June 9, 2011, 23 Posts, 258 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on July 4, 2012 at 9:51 AM

Way cool! this reminds me of a neuron and dendrites. At first with the thumbnail, I thought this was an ice abrstract due to the blues and lines. The smaller areas of colors caused by the oil film's light constructive interference induce one to enjoy the details. A minor nit may be the dark spot in the middle of the left edge. Splendid image Marc.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on July 4, 2012 at 4:35 PM

As they say downunner. That's a cracker!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on July 4, 2012 at 6:40 PM

This blows my mind! Very effective abstraction! Looks organic and electrifying and has so many fine details of subject and light that one could find something new to contemplate at every look.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on July 5, 2012 at 11:40 AM

Infreakincredible!!! Such a cosmic appearance to this and the depth of the color is amazing. Doesn't seem oversharpened to me at all, at least on my crappy work monitor. Great eye to see this and capture it so effectively and artistically. Love the mini sunstar in the oil patch.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 11, 2012 at 4:10 PM

un-be-lievable. Just mesmerizing.
Congrats on the WP - no words to descibe this further.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on July 11, 2012 at 8:13 PM

Love it. It almost looks like fractured ice.

Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on July 14, 2012 at 2:39 AM

Definitely one of your best, Marc. A great achievement both in taking the shot and post processing. Impressive!

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on July 17, 2012 at 10:37 PM

Yeah, except there's hardly any post processing!

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on July 24, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Where was I when you posted this amazing image? Fantastic!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on August 5, 2012 at 4:26 PM

Haha, I now see why you stopped being a moderator at NPN: now, your images are eligible for POTM. You sly dog. I kid, of course. Congrats!

Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seawell on August 6, 2012 at 8:40 AM

I see an electrical fist punching through a wall! This is something different. I like it! Not the usual. The usual perfection of photography can be a bit boring.

Mark

Registered on December 5, 2011, 197 Posts, 237 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cihak on August 6, 2012 at 5:39 PM

Yes, the "sparkle of electricity" captures what I was thinking as well. Incredibly beautiful.

Registered on January 19, 2009, 0 Posts, 1 Comments

Comment posted by Manjot Singh on August 21, 2012 at 3:20 PM

wow! its amazing

Registered on May 10, 2012, 25 Posts, 66 Comments

Comment posted by Murali Santhanam on August 22, 2012 at 8:07 AM

I can hardly add to what others have already said. There is sparkle. There are lines beneath the water. There are curves. And absolutely unpredictable shapes. Excellent. Congratulations for POTM selection.

Registered on July 31, 2008, 43 Posts, 331 Comments