Abstract: The Art of Design

I’m not really a photographer at all. The camera is nothing more than a tool. Communication, simplicity, shapes on a page. What’s important is the story, the message, the feeling, the connection. How do you make this reach people? It’s a combination of graphic simplicity and the power of spirit and soul. It’s design.

– Platon

I have been captivated by these Abstract documentaries on Netflix for some time now. Since they appeared on Netflix in 2017, I have watched all 16 episodes across the two seasons. Four of the episodes, in particular, I have probably watched numerous times—too embarrassed to say exactly how many. Let’s just say I’ve watched them a lot. They are family to me.

Platon has influenced my storytelling by opening a door that was closed back in the 90’s. I cut my teeth with storytelling shooting 35mm film and creating slide shows through the medium of Multi-Image.

Wikipedia defines Multi-image as follows:

Multi-image is the now largely obsolete practice and business of using 35mm slides (diapositives) projected by single or multiple slide projectors onto one or more screens in synchronization with an audio voice-over or music track. Multi-image productions are also known as multi-image slide presentations, slide shows and diaporamas and are a specific form of multimedia or audio-visual production.

Well, that hurt. I don’t care about your diaporamas anyway, Wikipedia.

Platon rekindled my love for still photography and its power. A still photograph has a visual power all its own. Video certainly has its place, but a still image has magic.

Head over to Netflix and watch Platon’s episode. Be inspired!