Abstract photography can produce very dramatic images. It relies on our more primal sense of form, color, and curves than it does on detail. It takes a different way of looking at our world to perceive the abstract photography opportunities that surround us.
For many, the concept of abstract art breeds images of what appear to the uneducated eye as random swathes of color and shape tossed into a scene to create something the artists deems representation of a specific entity such as an emotion or situation.
When it comes to photography, similar notions can occur as we are confronted with confusing images containing unspecific subject matter. But do not be afraid, there is an awful lot to be learned from abstract photography.
Abstract photography is based on the photographers eye. We’re looking to capture something in a way that it would not usually be seen. Looking for the details, the patterns, the lines, the form, shape and colors that complete a subject and utilizing those key features to make an engaging image. It is those key elements that will help you to construct an image that has visual appeal.
Abstract photography is not about abiding by the rules. In fact, it’s the ideal opportunity to break the rules. When approaching a subject, ensure you spend time with it and assess how you want to represent it and it’s surroundings within your image.
Approach it from angles, move your feet, bend your knees, look up, look down, look for patterns and correlating colors. It’s all about how you as a photographer perceive what is in front of you and then looking to represent it as you see it.
My favorite aspects of shooting abstract shots is the moment when someone looks at an image and says “I really like it, but what is it?” That means I’ve engaged the viewer visually and the image has caught their eye and made them think and challenged their perceptions of what a photograph can represent. But it also shows me that there is a difference between how I viewed the subject matter at the time and how they view the subject matter, which is an intriguing personal insight.
ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY DEFINED
There is no standard, universally accepted definition of abstract photography. Actually, it is not easy to create a clear-cut definition of an abstract concept. However, for the purposes of this project, it is necessary to create a definition in order to put some boundaries around the topic. This makes it easier to determine what falls within the domain of the subject matter. Thus, for now, abstract photography will be defined as photography that:
- Does not represent the subject in a literal way.
- Communicates primarily through form, color, and curves rather than image detail.
There are three essentials to abstract photography: form, color, and curves. It is paramount that an abstract photographer learns to think in these terms.
FORM
Form refers to the shape of the objects in an image. Form serves as the framework upon which an abstract image is created. Basically, form creates the core of an image while color and curves add enhancements. Therefore, it is crucial that an abstract image start off with good form. This is done by choosing objects that have pleasing, interesting, or dynamic shapes.
COLOR
Color grabs the attention of the viewer and stimulates the viewer’s perceptual system. Color not only grabs the viewer’s attention, it also serves to hold the viewer’s attention for an extended period of time. If the viewer’s eyes do wander, the color tends to bring the attention back. One way to use color is to use a saturated or intense color. Another method of using color that can produce very dynamic images is to use contrasting color.
CURVES
Curves add interest to an abstract image. They do this by controlling the movement of the viewer’s eyes through an image. Now, there are a couple of ways that curves can be used in an image. The first way that curves can add interest to an image is to direct the viewer’s attention to an image’s center of interest. The second way that curves can add interest to an image is a bit more intangible. With this use of curves, the curves do not point at the center of interest. In fact, they do not point at anything in particular. Instead, the curves simply flow through the image in a graceful or dynamic way. How does this help the image? Even though the curves do not point toward any object, they still serve to control the viewer’s eyes. When used properly, the viewer’s eyes will roam back and forth along the curves. Thus, the viewer’s attention has been captured.
COMPOSITION
Composition consists of how the objects in an image are arranged with respect to each other. There are many approaches to composition. Carrying out a thorough review of the subject of composition is beyond the scope of this article. However, two aspects of composition, as they relate to abstract photography, will be covered.
- Rule of thirds
- No rules
Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds requires that an image be divided into thirds both vertically and horizontally. The center of interest should be located where the dividing lines cross. Figure 7 shows an example of the rule of thirds. As can be seen, the end of the flower stem is located where the rule of third lines intersect.
No Rules
One of the great things about abstract photography is that it is not necessary to follow the rules. This is the case with composition. It is not always necessary to follow the rule of thirds, or any other composition rule, to create great abstract images.
ART OF SUBTRACTION
Earlier, it was stated that people tend to react to abstract photography on an instinctual or emotional level. Therefore, to create great abstract images, all one has to do is remove everything that does not, in some way, strengthen the viewer’s emotional reaction. This is the art of subtraction.
The next two images illustrate the art of subtraction. The first shows a cluttered image. One’s first reaction might be to move on to a more promising location. On the other hand, a closer examination of the scene shows that it has all three essentials for a good abstract image.
Image 1: Art of Subtraction — Before
Form: Many of the rocks in the image have interesting form.
Color: The rock is a saturated red.
Curves: There are many curves running through the image.
That is the good news. The bad news is that the scene has a ton of distracting detail. So, the goal becomes to keep form, color, and curves that can contribute to the creation of a good abstract image and remove everything else. The second image shows the scene after all the distracting detail has been removed. The image has isolated the important forms and accentuated them with the color and the curves.
Image 2: Art of Subtraction — After
Abstract opportunities are all around us. It is just a matter of developing our photographic vision in order to see them. Now you have the foundations for creating abstract images and I can’t wait to see what great images you produce! Happy Shooting!
