To use this photo as a desktop wallpaper, download the standard (1600 x 1200) resolution or the widescreen (1900 x 1200) resolution.

When I browse through my photos looking for subjects that other people might find interesting, I’m often short of breathtaking landscapes or other good fodder for desktop wallpaper. Many of my photos are of textures like the burned log above.

I’m fascinated by the detail and the colors of things close-up, but I have a lot to learn about taking good macro photos. Some of my limitations come from my relatively simple camera. Other areas where I need to improve include picking a focal point. In the photo above, for instance, it’s hard to say what the focal point is.

But I love all the abstract patterns and the cracks in the wood that draw your eye deeper into the photo. I love that that the colors are so compelling, even though they are so few.

I’m attracted to texture and complexity in other photographers’ work as well. You may be familiar with the work of Chris Jordan, the photographer who does the composite images of American waste like cell phones, plastic bottles, and plastic bags. The social subject is fascinating, but the colors and textures of his work appeal to me as well, especially the increasingly zoomed in shots of the 2 million plastic bottles used in the U.S. every five minutes or the 426,000 cell phones retired in the US every day from his “Running the Numbers” collection. If you’re not familiar with Chris Jordan’s work, his website is well worth browsing.

For a little Friday treat, here’s a video clip of Chris Jordan being interviewed by Stephen Colbert. Enjoy.

If you can’t see the video above, you can find it here.

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