Abstract Seattle ~ IntroductionShow First Slide >>

Despite discovering interesting places wherever I wander, I am still biased in favor of the Pacific Northwest and my home, Seattle, Washington. The Northwest boasts some of the finest natural beauty on the planet. Much of that beauty results from the region's unique geography; the Pacific Ocean and Olympic Peninsula, the Puget Sound and its many islands, the Cascade Mountains, and the Columbia River are among the most significant features. Seattle itself is a comfortable city, with rolling hills and quirky neighborhoods at every turn. The air is clean, the coffee strong, and the seafood fresh. Minus a few glaring problems (should we ever arrive at a reasonably functional system of public transit, it will be a major accomplishment), Seattle is a wonderful place to call home.

Sadly, however, since I began exploring photography as a hobby, I have yet to photograph much of anything in and around my home. I have so far tended to put the camera away when home to catch up on other things. Unfortunately, this means that when I've been asked by hosts and fellow travelers for pictures of home, I generally have very little to share. The only exception is this modest slideshow depicting "abstract Seattle." In truth, this show is a poor introduction to the city. There is little here that captures its natural beauty or friendly feel, as my focus in shooting the photographs was entirely different. "Abstract Seattle" is geared more toward those who know the city well and might enjoy seeing its landmarks from unfamiliar perspectives.

With just a couple of exceptions, all the photographs included here were taken on three excursions I made in search of Seattle's abstract side. I picked a few beautiful sunny mornings and set out on foot to see what I could find. Certain landmarks were obvious candidates for inclusion in my collection: EMP and the fabulous new Central Library are about as abstract as landmarks come. But I found there were a number of surprises as well, things I might have passed dozens of times before without even noticing. While I'm not convinced I accomplished much by way of remarkable images, I enjoyed exploring the city and learned a great deal about it along the way.

Show First Slide >>