Abstract Photography

What is abstract photography?

Abstract photography is sometimes called non-objective, experimental or conceptual photography. It offers different ways at looking at an object, which can be a manipulated perception of objects.

An abstract photograph may be purposely staged to create a seemingly unreal appearance from real objects, or it may involve the use of colour, light, shadow, texture, shape and/or form to convey a feeling, sensation or impression. Depends on what the viewer makes it to be and it can hold many different interpretations, views and opinions. For example, by focusing your attention on a particular texture you can create the illusion that the viewer may question what they are seeing.

The Characteristics of abstract photography:

Purposely set to create an unreal appearance from the real objects, it may involve the use of composition (close up) and elements – colour, angles, shadow, light, pattern, texture, tone, shape and/or form to convey a feeling, impression and sensation.

The three main points that abstract photography encompasses are, form, colour and texture.

• Form: Form is the patterns, shape(s) of the object(s) which creates the main bulk of the image – think of it in a similar way to composition, and consider this the main course.

• Colour: Colour will draw the viewer in and keep the attention for longer. Exciting colours add depth and excitement to the overall image.

• Texture: Texture adds interest, creates confusion and intrigue. You can break up the image with contrasting textures and make your audience question what they see. Include textures that make your audience want to reach out and touch.

What was I asked to do?

In this new Unit – Abstract Photography, I was asked to research, look at examples and write what is abstract photography. I had to take 8 photos of objects in the household using a camera or my mobile phone. To create an abstract photography; I had to experiment with different household objects looking at things from different angles, compositions, editing and using elements used in photography. While taking the images I had to think about how the viewer may perceived what the images may be, so they had to be close-up so the their true identity could be hidden. I could use various equipment and materials to enable me by showing some fragment of what the subject is actually.

How did abstract photography begin?

Some of the various conceptions to how abstract photography began is that the first publicly exhibited images were symmetrical patterns from natural forms, produced by Erwin Quedenfeldt in Cologne in 1914. In 1917, Alvin Langdon Coburn began experimenting with a series he called Vortographs, photographs taken with a camera fitted with a multi-faceted prism. This resulted in the images being unrelated purposely to the actual image he saw.

Evaluation

I enjoyed doing this task because it allowed me to be creative and to express my artistic nature using any subject around even in my house. By using my mobile phone , I found it much easier to take photographs and using a tripod really helped me as well. Abstract photography can be used to express ideas and emotions without the intention of using traditional or realistic subjects/images. When using my mobile this method will help me to learn and experiment with different photographic techniques such as the shutter speed, aperture and compostion of an image.