Photo, picture: Mojave Yucca « Michael E. Gordon Photography

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Photo, picture: Mojave Yucca

June 11, 2009 by michaelgordon

Mojave Yucca (Yucca schidigera)

The Mojave Yucca is one of the most ubiquitous plants in the Mojave Desert. Looking at this photograph, you might think that these thread-like filaments would make great thread, rope, and sandals. Native Americans also thought so, and that’s exactly what they did with this plant.

Is this an “abstract” photograph? A lot of photographers use this term loosely enough that they end up designating many straight photographs as “abstract”. I define as abstract only those photographs which challenge me to the point that I cannot identify the object(s) photographed. When subjects are not completely representational but easy to identify (like my photograph of this Mojave Yucca), I term them “extracts” (I “extracted” only this portion of the Yucca from the more representational full view of the plant).

What do you call it?

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Posted in Photographs, Ramblings | Tagged Mojave Desert, photo, picture, black and white, black & white, Mojave Yucca, Yucca schidigera, abstract, extract | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on June 11, 2009 at 4:58 pm | Reply Scott C

“Extracts,” that’s an interesting term. I’d personally just call it beautiful! It has a bit of sea urchininess with tendrils going on. Those white tendrils are a great contrast.

-scott c
on June 12, 2009 at 8:14 am | Reply michaelgordon

Hi Scott: THANKS for looking and commenting – I appreciate it!
on June 14, 2009 at 10:15 am | Reply danbaumbach

I would call it abstract, for the same reason you do. I don’t see a Yucca plant when I see this image. I see beautiful swirling shapes and lines. Nice abstract, Michael.

- Dan .
on June 15, 2009 at 9:01 am | Reply michaelgordon

Thanks for your comment, Dan!
on June 18, 2009 at 8:17 pm | Reply Youssef Ismail

Michael,

I would call it abstract as well. I don’t see the yucca and would have wondered what it was if you had not told us.
on June 19, 2009 at 7:14 am | Reply michaelgordon

Thanks for your comment, Youssef. I apparently know these plants too well, because it only looks like a Yucca to me!
on June 22, 2009 at 11:58 am | Reply Laurent

I’m with Scott – I would just say it’s beautiful.
on June 22, 2009 at 1:18 pm | Reply michaelgordon

Thank you, Laurent!