It took me a week, but I think I finally got what an abstract photograph is. Macro photography lends itself very well to abstract shots, but not all macros are abstract. And of course, not all abstracts are macros. I saw many beautiful examples this week of tall skyscrapers, buildings or large objects composing an abstract shot.
An abstract photograph is one so far removed from its actuality that the question, “What IS that?” no longer comes to mind. It’s either enjoyed for its lines, shapes, textures and colors or it isn’t.
Maybe the real explanation is more scientific or artistic.
There were many great examples of abstract photographs submitted to the Friday Finds Flickr Pool this week. For some, I could definitely answer the question, “What IS that?” but usually I didn’t want to. The shot was about the lines, shapes, textures and colors, not tree branches or a snow covered sidewalk or the inner workings of a piano. There were some shots so far removed from any sense of reality that it was nothing more distinguishable than paint globs arranged on a canvas, but it still conveyed a mood perhaps not dissimilar to the same scene in sharp focus.
Neither extreme is necessarily any less or more abstract. Still, it’s a hard aspect of photography to master, as my attempts this week and last week can probably attest.
Abstract Photography History, Definition and Technique
- Abstract Photographer Lester Hayes This is a seven minute video interview with the Centarian who pioneered abstract photography using the Kodak Instamatic. Before him, no one thought of taking abstract pictures with a camera. The production quality of this interview is really low, the sound isn’t so great, but it was a privilege to see Mr. Hayes speak about his art and see some great examples of it!
- Abstract Photography by Ron Bigelow. This is a four part series which is, by far, the most comprehensive study of abstract photography I found. The first part covers all the basics and the essentials to the three components: form, color and curves. The second part discusses abstract photography techniques. Finally, the last two parts include especially good abstract photography subjects and how to shoot them abstractly. Go get a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, then dive into this study. If I’d read this before today, I may not have struggled so much with taking my own abstract shots. I can’t wait to try some of the techniques and suggestions!
- What is Abstract Photography? Jason Barnette takes an in-depth look at what makes a photograph abstract and gives examples and tips on how to achieve different looks. It examines using selective focus, multiple exposures, long exposures, different angles, partial objects, depth of field and lights and shadows to create abstract photography. If the first series of articles was just too long for you, try this one instead as it’s very comprehensive but less like a book.
- Abstract Photography: How to Shoot Urban Impressionism Impressionism is one form of abstract photography. You can kind of almost tell what’s going on, but it’s all smeared up. (I’m sure impressionist artists are growling at my definition.) This article specifically discusses how to capture abstract Impressionism in the city. A slow shutter speed is key to the artsy, blurred images used in the examples. The author includes several tips for achieving these types of shots and even throws in an editing tip at the end!
- Abstraction in Photography. This article at Photo Stock Plus shares five tips for making something look abstract.
- 5 Tips for Better Abstract Architecture and 80 Amazing Examples. Architecture lends itself very well to abstract photography because of all the lines and shapes contained within it. Lighting and shadows are a huge part of abstract photography and frequently plays stunningly with architectural elements.
- Water Drop Shots. Water drops and other water shots make good abstract photos. Here are a couple of articles discussing how to achieve them. First, my own article on working with water, “Practice Makes…” MCP Actions had a guest post just the other day on How to Shoot Amazing Water Droplet Macro Photographs. Jose Antunes at Pixiq writes, Practice and Patience: The Tap Water Drop Dance.
More Abstract Photography
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Friday Finds! Since I switched up the post format so the links all match the theme, it’s taking me a lot longer to put this together each week, hence the delayed article this week and last. Eventually I will manage my time better during the week so that I can actually get the article up on Friday again!
This week there were 208 abstract photographs submitted to the Friday Finds Flickr Pool! That’s the most submissions in a week since the group started! Please take a moment to look through all the rockin’ photographs below. You can also check out my Abstract Photography Flickr Gallery to see my favorite 18 submissions. I’d also love it if you post your favorites in the Flickr discussion. If you’re on Flickr and you haven’t created galleries, I highly recommend it! Any photographer will find it a very worthwhile exercise!
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The Next Theme Is: Child Photography
I struggled trying to figure out a theme this week, so I settled on child photography because I’d love to know some new tips and techniques for it. If you have any suggestions you feel would lend themselves to a whole article full of photography and photo editing links, please let me know in the comments or in the Flickr discussion thread. I need some great ideas in time for next week’s theme!
Enter your five best photographs featuring a child to the Flickr Group and tag them dwcff-child.
Link Up
If you’d like to help promote the challenge, feel free to grab my button and link to this page!
