THE SUBJECTS THAT YOU PHOTOGRAPH DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE IDENTIFIABLE. ISOLATING COLOURS AND SHAPES CAN PRODUCE INQUISITIVE AND ARTISTIC PICTURES. ALL YOU NEED IS A KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL AND A LITTLE IMAGINATION.
Most of the photographs we take record subjects in a literal way, so that the viewer can identify them. There's nothing written in tablets of stone that says you have to work this way, though, and often by taking a more abstract view of everyday subjects, you produce far more interesting results. The process of looking at form and colour, for instance, forces you to study detail, lighting and design to reveal the essence of not only the subject, but your personal vision. Anyone can photograph a car, for example, but if you ask five photographers to capture abstract images of that car, chances are each one will deliver something very different because they each have a unique way of seeing.
There are various meanings to the word 'abstract', but from a photographic
point of view the most apt is probably 'having no reference to material objects or specific examples'. In other words, an abstract picture gains its appeal not from being able to identify the object, but appreciating the colours, shapes, patterns and textures that make up that object. This means that literally anything can be used as the basis of an abstract image, big or small, simple or complex, natural or manmade - all you have to do is compose and shoot it in a way that removes it from the bigger picture, so that the viewer is left wondering what exactly it is they're looking at.
Try applying the ideas we outline in this feature to landscapes, nature, people, buildings, even household objects, to see what you can come up with. Once you're able to look at the world in an abstract way, you'll find that there are photo opportunities lurking around literally every corner - and that's when the fun begins as you will never again run out of things to photograph!
1. Monochrome abstracts You don’t have to stick with colour to create successful abstracts.
In fact, by removing colour, your images are likely to be even more abstract because you're peeling away another layer of reality so only the bare bones of the subject remain. Converting to black & white works well on bold, high-contrast images as you don't want too many different grey tones competing for attention.
You can make the conversion using Photoshop or Lightroom, or any editing software, though specialist applications like Nik Software Silver Efex Pro II are ideal because they have plug-ins that allow you to create stunning mono images with a single mouse click.
Try the High Contrast and High Structure presets.
2. Contrast colours If you want your abstracts to have loads of impact, try looking for contrasting colours that can be included in the same composition. Yellow and blue forms the strongest colour contrast, but any warm/cold colour combinations work, too, such as red and green. If the colours aren't naturally rich, use the Vibrance slider in Adobe Camera Raw to give them a boost when you process your files you can take it all the way to +100%, if necessary.
3. Shadow play Shadows can add an extra element to abstract images, or even create an abstract opportunity in their own right. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of day to go searching for shadows because the low sun means they will be nice and long. Rows of columns and their shadows make a great subject, as do railings, spiral staircases, the shadows cast on walls or by tables and chairs outside cafes. If you zoom in and fill the frame, you can either concentrate on the shadows alone to add a sense of mystery to the image, or include part of the object that is casting the shadows. Boost contrast when you process the image files, to emphasise the light and shade effect.
4. Include the sky On a sunny day, when it's cloudless and deep blue, the sky makes a great background for colourful abstracts. Being a cool colour it 'recedes' so that any warm colours in front of it stand out more. Use this to your advantage when shooting buildings, street signs, shop fronts and other colourful subjects that you can capture from a low angle - and remember that you can use a polarising filter not only to make sky a deeper blue, but also to remove glare from the elements in front of it so their colours appear richer.
5. Look for shapes Bold shapes in all forms make great abstract subjects, especially if you zoom in on them so that you don't include all of it, or them, in the composition. Try to juxtapose different shapes and different colours to make it more graphically interesting. Isolate one, or overlap two or more, and shoot low to capture them against the sky. Painted buildings are a good source of shapes, especially where the windows are painted a different colour. Funky modern architecture with bold, striking design features work well, too, as do street signs and the hulls of boats.
6. Shoot a theme Abstracts don't have to be single images - you could shoot a series that follow a specific theme, such as certain colours, a particular shape, lines, angles and so on. Alternatively, locate an interesting subject, such as a building, then see how many different abstract shots you can get from it. Try modern or industrial architecture for its bold shapes, strong lines, angles and often vibrant colours.
7. Zoom in The key to good abstract photography is keeping the composition simple so there isn't too much to take in - the fewer elements, the better. A zoom lens is ideal because it allows you to select part of a scene or subject and 'abstract' it from its surroundings. Telezooms are especially good because they magnify your subject and compress perspective so elements in a composition are crowded together.
8. Unusual angles The whole point of abstract photography is to create images where the subject matter isn't immediately apparent. You're more likely to achieve that if you shoot from odd angles. Low angles work particularly well if you move in close with a wide-angle lens as lines and angles will be exaggerated and slight changes of position will dramatically alter the juxtaposition of elements - plus you'll be shooting from an unusual viewpoint, so everything will look different anyway.
9. Abstracts in nature Although the man made world offers more abstract opportunities than the natural one, it is possible to produce striking natural abstracts if you make the effort to look around you. Flowers and plants are always a good bet - just move in close with a macro lens and fill the frame with small details, maybe using a colourful card background to add interest. Backlit leaves are another good subject, or patterns in rock, ripples in sand. It's not about what you shoot, but the way you shoot it.
10. Body Abstract The curved lines of a naked body can create alluring abstracts. Refrain from showing too much and focus on the simple lines of the silhouette: a crease in the knee and curve of the calf, the nip at the waist or scoop of a shoulder. For men. focus on defined muscles and use harder lighting than you would for a women to create contrast and definition. Try back lighting the subject against a white background, too, for a simple silhouetted abstract.
Do you have an interest in digital workflow photography, digital imaging infrared, photography workshops, digital stock, photo editing, macro or even forensic digital imaging and photography ?? go to photoforbeginners.com.
******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.
Most of the photographs we take record subjects in a literal way, so that the viewer can identify them. There's nothing written in tablets of stone that says you have to work this way, though, and often by taking a more abstract view of everyday subjects, you produce far more interesting results. The process of looking at form and colour, for instance, forces you to study detail, lighting and design to reveal the essence of not only the subject, but your personal vision. Anyone can photograph a car, for example, but if you ask five photographers to capture abstract images of that car, chances are each one will deliver something very different because they each have a unique way of seeing.
There are various meanings to the word 'abstract', but from a photographic
point of view the most apt is probably 'having no reference to material objects or specific examples'. In other words, an abstract picture gains its appeal not from being able to identify the object, but appreciating the colours, shapes, patterns and textures that make up that object. This means that literally anything can be used as the basis of an abstract image, big or small, simple or complex, natural or manmade - all you have to do is compose and shoot it in a way that removes it from the bigger picture, so that the viewer is left wondering what exactly it is they're looking at.
Try applying the ideas we outline in this feature to landscapes, nature, people, buildings, even household objects, to see what you can come up with. Once you're able to look at the world in an abstract way, you'll find that there are photo opportunities lurking around literally every corner - and that's when the fun begins as you will never again run out of things to photograph!
1. Monochrome abstracts You don’t have to stick with colour to create successful abstracts.
In fact, by removing colour, your images are likely to be even more abstract because you're peeling away another layer of reality so only the bare bones of the subject remain. Converting to black & white works well on bold, high-contrast images as you don't want too many different grey tones competing for attention.
You can make the conversion using Photoshop or Lightroom, or any editing software, though specialist applications like Nik Software Silver Efex Pro II are ideal because they have plug-ins that allow you to create stunning mono images with a single mouse click.
2. Contrast colours If you want your abstracts to have loads of impact, try looking for contrasting colours that can be included in the same composition. Yellow and blue forms the strongest colour contrast, but any warm/cold colour combinations work, too, such as red and green. If the colours aren't naturally rich, use the Vibrance slider in Adobe Camera Raw to give them a boost when you process your files you can take it all the way to +100%, if necessary.
3. Shadow play Shadows can add an extra element to abstract images, or even create an abstract opportunity in their own right. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of day to go searching for shadows because the low sun means they will be nice and long. Rows of columns and their shadows make a great subject, as do railings, spiral staircases, the shadows cast on walls or by tables and chairs outside cafes. If you zoom in and fill the frame, you can either concentrate on the shadows alone to add a sense of mystery to the image, or include part of the object that is casting the shadows. Boost contrast when you process the image files, to emphasise the light and shade effect.
4. Include the sky On a sunny day, when it's cloudless and deep blue, the sky makes a great background for colourful abstracts. Being a cool colour it 'recedes' so that any warm colours in front of it stand out more. Use this to your advantage when shooting buildings, street signs, shop fronts and other colourful subjects that you can capture from a low angle - and remember that you can use a polarising filter not only to make sky a deeper blue, but also to remove glare from the elements in front of it so their colours appear richer.
5. Look for shapes Bold shapes in all forms make great abstract subjects, especially if you zoom in on them so that you don't include all of it, or them, in the composition. Try to juxtapose different shapes and different colours to make it more graphically interesting. Isolate one, or overlap two or more, and shoot low to capture them against the sky. Painted buildings are a good source of shapes, especially where the windows are painted a different colour. Funky modern architecture with bold, striking design features work well, too, as do street signs and the hulls of boats.
6. Shoot a theme Abstracts don't have to be single images - you could shoot a series that follow a specific theme, such as certain colours, a particular shape, lines, angles and so on. Alternatively, locate an interesting subject, such as a building, then see how many different abstract shots you can get from it. Try modern or industrial architecture for its bold shapes, strong lines, angles and often vibrant colours.
7. Zoom in The key to good abstract photography is keeping the composition simple so there isn't too much to take in - the fewer elements, the better. A zoom lens is ideal because it allows you to select part of a scene or subject and 'abstract' it from its surroundings. Telezooms are especially good because they magnify your subject and compress perspective so elements in a composition are crowded together.
8. Unusual angles The whole point of abstract photography is to create images where the subject matter isn't immediately apparent. You're more likely to achieve that if you shoot from odd angles. Low angles work particularly well if you move in close with a wide-angle lens as lines and angles will be exaggerated and slight changes of position will dramatically alter the juxtaposition of elements - plus you'll be shooting from an unusual viewpoint, so everything will look different anyway.
9. Abstracts in nature Although the man made world offers more abstract opportunities than the natural one, it is possible to produce striking natural abstracts if you make the effort to look around you. Flowers and plants are always a good bet - just move in close with a macro lens and fill the frame with small details, maybe using a colourful card background to add interest. Backlit leaves are another good subject, or patterns in rock, ripples in sand. It's not about what you shoot, but the way you shoot it.
10. Body Abstract The curved lines of a naked body can create alluring abstracts. Refrain from showing too much and focus on the simple lines of the silhouette: a crease in the knee and curve of the calf, the nip at the waist or scoop of a shoulder. For men. focus on defined muscles and use harder lighting than you would for a women to create contrast and definition. Try back lighting the subject against a white background, too, for a simple silhouetted abstract.
Do you have an interest in digital workflow photography, digital imaging infrared, photography workshops, digital stock, photo editing, macro or even forensic digital imaging and photography ?? go to photoforbeginners.com.
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******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.
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