Experimentations in Photography #614
Every day, I either post a new, original black and white portrait from Cambodia as My Photograph of the Day or an original experimental color photograph created in Cambodia.
Today’s selection is a new piece of fine art experimental photography from Cambodia titled The Pool Abstractions: Soft Circular Bokeh Abstraction.
Each piece is a unique creation reflecting my ongoing quest for artistic expression.
Artist’s Statement
I enjoy being at the pool, and because I always have my camera with me, I tend to experiment within whatever environment I find myself. The pool environment is rich with potential.
This series, The Pool Abstractions, is the result of that photographic experimentation. I was there, the camera was there, and the pool was there. Look, see, and press the shutter. Creatively, that is only the beginning. In post-production, the images are transformed into abstractions through layering and other digital techniques. In most instances, I introduce elements entirely unrelated to the pool to enhance the work.
My process involves selecting a single base image—in this case, a poolside shot—to serve as the anchor for everything that follows. I have found that a minimalist base image works best; it provides the cleanest foundation to build upon.
What fascinates me most is the serendipitous, spontaneous nature of the creative process. I never begin with a predetermined outcome—it is experimentation for experimentation’s sake, art for art’s sake. The final images, in a sense, seem to possess a life of their own. Am I consciously making the choices, or are the choices being guided by something more subtle and difficult to define? Put another way, these images seem to be more rooted in emotion than intellect.
Ultimately, creativity is a nebulous, undefined path. The Pool Abstractions represent a walk down that path. The outcome is unimportant. The important thing is simply to choose the journey, because only by stepping in do we have the possibility of discovering our creative inner selves.
Critique and Analysis
Introduction
This photograph shifts away from the sharp, linear diagonals of previous entries in the series toward smooth, organic geometry. Functioning as a soft circular bokeh abstraction, it reinforces the project’s dedication to non-objective visual study, celebrating pure luminescence and subtle color gradients.
Core Visual Elements of the Soft Circular Bokeh Abstraction
The composition is anchored by two large, glowing elliptical forms that meet near the vertical center, creating an hourglass-like tension. Diffused lighting highlights pale yellow and mint green tones within these circular masses, contrasting sharply against deep ultramarine and cyan backgrounds. Heavy, uniform tactile grain overlays the soft, out-of-focus edges, giving physical substance to the light.
Interpretive and Contextual Elements
Unbound by socio-political themes, the atmosphere is serene, fluid, and ethereal. The rounded, overlapping shapes evoke a feeling of buoyancy—akin to air bubbles suspended underwater or soft pool lights refracting through a calm surface. The mood invites quiet contemplation, allowing the viewer to engage purely with the sensory weight of color and light.
Artistic Movement and Influence
This work aligns closely with Luminism and Modernist Abstraction, borrowing heavily from the principles of Subjective Photography. By emphasizing internal light sources and soft-focus geometry over sharp realism, it transforms a familiar physical element into an otherworldly spatial arrangement.
Overall Impression and Critique
The image is strikingly effective in its softness and balance. The central convergence of the two main bokeh circles creates a focal point that guides the viewer’s eye smoothly across the canvas. While some viewers may desire more sharp structural contrast, the deliberate fluidity and grain consistency make it a strong, cohesive contribution to the series.
The Story Behind the Lens
Learn about my creative process, ethics, and the Light and More mission on my Personal Notes page.
Full Disclosure: AI and I
For a deeper look into the conceptual framework behind my work, see my:
Technical Points Page
Discussion Topics Page
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The Photographer
Todd Black WA is a photographer, diarist and observer based in Cambodia, dedicated to documenting the world through an experimental and philosophical lens. ‘Light and More’ is a repository of visual stories, technical inquiry, cultural reflections, and much more.
© 2026 Light and More by Todd Black. All Rights Reserved.
“Documenting life one day at a time.”
View the Collection: Gallery – Experimentations in Photography
View Portfolio 6 – The Pool Abstractions
Image History
Experimentations in Photography
Portfolio 6 – The Pool Abstractions: Soft Circular Bokeh Abstraction
Battambang
1 February – 2026
Image #637 Portfolio 6
Diary Entry #800 26-02-01
Diary entry repost #965 26-07-16
Publication #438 26-02-01
Republication #614 26-02-16
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