Abstract Photography
Like abstract art, abstract photography focuses on shape, form, colour, pattern and texture. The viewer is often unable to see the whole object or even tell what the subject is, however they are draw to it and engaged by its beauty. Usually the photographer has taken just a small portion of the subject so that the viewers may only know the essence of the image subject or understand it by what is implied.
Abstract Challenges
1. Oil & Water
A simple yet very creative way of getting some incredible abstract images. You will need a glass dish, water, dishwashing liquid, cooking oil and some colourful backgrounds (card, wrapping paper, feathers, etc). Place the glass dish on top of the colourful background materials and then fill this with water. Add a small amount of dishwashing liquid and then olive oil. The dishwashing liquid helps emulsify the fat so that it does not stay together. Typical setting camera settings should be roughly as follows:
If you are not using a macro flash try additional lighting maybe a lamp, a higher ISO, slower shutter speed (tripod would be needed for this) and a wider aperture. These sorts of shots are all about having fun and experimenting. |
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2. An M&M Good Time!
Very simple way to obtain some great abstract shots. Simply place a piece of glass or perspex between two stand similar to the image opposite. Spray the glass or perspex material with water using a spray bottle and then place an objects underneath to create some bubbly images. Typical setting camera settings should be roughly as follows:
Again though try additional lighting maybe a lamp, a higher ISO, slower shutter speed and a wider aperture. |
3. Slinky's
Yes they can go down stairs, but they also provide a great subject for some abstract photography.
Yes they can go down stairs, but they also provide a great subject for some abstract photography.
4. Cutlery
Inanimate objects such as cutlery can be photographed in a way that they can produce some incredible abstract images. Incorporate some shadows into the images that you can create are even more abstract. What other objects that we use in our daily lives can you achieve the same desired effects?
Inanimate objects such as cutlery can be photographed in a way that they can produce some incredible abstract images. Incorporate some shadows into the images that you can create are even more abstract. What other objects that we use in our daily lives can you achieve the same desired effects?
5. Patterns & Texture
Patterns can be found everywhere, in nature and manmade constructions. They are made up of repeated objects, shapes or colours and whether they are random or ordered can be very pleasing to the eye. You can use patterns as the main subject of your photo with the focal point on the patterns to give you some great abstract images.
While the structure of an object is its form, the material from which it is made constitutes its texture. To simplify it the texture conveys how the subject feels; is it hard or soft, smooth or rough. If you can convey these feelings then you are translating texture visually. Contrasting a smooth object and a rough one allows you to see texture. Again, getting in closer helps achieve this feeling as well.
Patterns can be found everywhere, in nature and manmade constructions. They are made up of repeated objects, shapes or colours and whether they are random or ordered can be very pleasing to the eye. You can use patterns as the main subject of your photo with the focal point on the patterns to give you some great abstract images.
While the structure of an object is its form, the material from which it is made constitutes its texture. To simplify it the texture conveys how the subject feels; is it hard or soft, smooth or rough. If you can convey these feelings then you are translating texture visually. Contrasting a smooth object and a rough one allows you to see texture. Again, getting in closer helps achieve this feeling as well.
6. Shadows
Shadows can add a lot to a photograph. They can emphasize emotions, create surreal images, and be used in a variety of ways. While strong use of shadows in color photographs tends to be mostly used in silhouettes, it can also appear in a variety of other forms in color photos as well. In my opinion though, shadows are most powerful when used in black and white photographs. Go around school and see what you can find!
Shadows can add a lot to a photograph. They can emphasize emotions, create surreal images, and be used in a variety of ways. While strong use of shadows in color photographs tends to be mostly used in silhouettes, it can also appear in a variety of other forms in color photos as well. In my opinion though, shadows are most powerful when used in black and white photographs. Go around school and see what you can find!