Abstraction
Abstract photography is in a way a twisted representation of real life. It can range from a slightly distorted image of something every day, to a something you can't even recognise. But to get a better idea follow the link to the Tallis arts Pinterest page on abstract photography; or visit the Flickr page on abstract images. This project explores how the camera can draw your attention to the formal elements making the subject of the not the most interesting thing in the photo. The formal elements: -light -focus -lines -repetition -shape -space -texture -value/tone |
Other places to find abstract images: -Interesting walls -Abstractures -Abstract gallery -Abstract by nature |
The Formal Elements(in detail)
Light- Which parts are light or dark? Are there shadows? Maybe the light isn't natural or maybe it's harsh instead of soft.
Focus- Which areas are sharp or blurred?
Lines- Are there any objects that act as lines? Are they thin, thick, do they change the direction of the photography? Are they solid forms or made of light?
Repetitions- Does anything repeat in a particular pattern?
Shape- Can you spot any shapes wether they be organic or geometric?(Bendy or straight)
Space- Does the photo have any depth, or not? What creates this look? Are there any negative spaces or is it entirely positive?
Tone/Value- Has it got a range of tones from dark to light?
This is a photo by Étienne-Jules Marey, I don't know much about it apart from that it's an "air movement study". Light- Where the smoke curls in the centre is the lightest part of the photo, running alongside the darker lines. Focus- The photo is entirely in focus so we can see the curls in the smoke. Lines- The main subject is lines, the majority of the photo is filled with organic smoke lines. Repetitions- The only repetitions are the less curved lines near the top , which you instinctively follow down towards the triangle. Shape- The shape which draws most attention is the geometric triangle in the centre of the picture, which although being the subject isn't the main focus. Space- It feels like the bottom of the photo leads on which gives it a feeling of depth and infinity. Tone and value- The fact that it's black and white means it only tones are grey, black and white. |
First image set.
These are a first shot at taking photos myself, I began by focusing on shadows in particular but realised that it restricted my options. Especially because I was on school grounds. I moved on to taking anything that looked like it could make a good photo which meant I didn't have to worry about only finding interesting shadows. The shot of the lamp-post lead me to take a series of photos like that later. Even though the second one didn't come out as I wanted. The last two were actually taken to use for my idea about getting two abstract images and editing them together, as you'll shortly see.
Image set 2, specifics.
Unfortunately the weather seems to dislike abstraction. Even so some of the pictures came out as I planned; and the plan was to distort what the object(lamp-posts) is but not too much so the viewer can't make the object out. The dark skies, although not planned, did add to the atmosphere of cold and unknowing I was going for when I took these.
Image set 3, photoshop.
In the first image I used an image I took while exploring the basics of abstraction and combined it with an image specifically about colour, which is the last image here. Then I started experimenting with different ways I could represent a shape on the ground. As a gateway, a corridor, even a whole new world taking obvious inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. But it was the jupiter edit which is really thought provoking, something as simple as a splash of paint on the floor can become a window into a world which is pretty much unknown and new.
Idea board.
Im focusing on mixing two or perhaps more formal elements together in one photo, my favourite mix is light and lines as it makes things which we see every day interesting and mysterious . For example an air vent half in light, half not. Anything can be used if the lighting is right.
Using the sky, especially a grey one, as a background against the structure of(for example scaffolding) creates a picture using lines as the foreground is almost all geometric shapes; it becomes light as well because of the pitch blackness of the scaffolding and the brightness of the sky.
Using the sky, especially a grey one, as a background against the structure of(for example scaffolding) creates a picture using lines as the foreground is almost all geometric shapes; it becomes light as well because of the pitch blackness of the scaffolding and the brightness of the sky.
Image set 4-Diptychs
Diptych 1
These two images were taken just outside the same gallery, which is important as the colors and architecture are similar joining the two together. They also both have exclusively straight lines, and bleak colors which draw the eyes of the viewer from one to another.
Diptych 2
These two images are both of walls, I chose these walls as there both peeling and crumbling and if they were to be seen on there own they would just be walls however when put together it creates a new and interesting atmosphere. Also reds are prominent, which manage to drag emotion out of emotion-less objects.
Diptych 3
As well as both featuring yellow, both of these images are something that was once happy and great and now derelict and forgotten. The arcade: enjoyable place but now dirty and run down. The house: once a place for people to be together, now broken and abandoned. Although it's quite a sad concept, I think it's interesting as well.
Image set 5, exposures.
Keld Helmer-PetersenIn Helmer-Peterens's photos he uses a strong contrast of black and white, he also only seems to use geometric shapes. With these in mind I set off to Sycliff park to take more images.
His famous work is called 122 Colours, which is an experiment with shapes and colours. It was inspired by the Neue Sachlichkeit movement. His work introduced modernism to danish photography and even earned him a grant for more work in his field. He was also interested in taking pictures in colour that would only work in colour and not black and white. This was achieved by only focusing on the mundane and normal things he sees every day, the grant he received was also a large help with his work. |
Image set 6- Sycliff park Abstract images
My favourite Image.This is my favourite image because the simplicity of it and the colours.
I decided to take this particular part of wall as, from the left to right, it goes from an incredible turquoise through to a rusted brown, and finally a slightly weathered grey. I think the texture of the wall puts emphasis on the range of the colours as it draws the viewers eyes towards the next shade. |
My least favourite Image.For this image I wanted a strong contrast with branches and a grey sky, then I was to edit it black and white and then contrast it to make it completely black or white.
While taking this image I had a wide angle lens, witch means I couldn't take it without the trees on the side. Also, the clouds were patchy when it would of been good if there were either completely grey or blue to get the stronger contrast between the branches. A Macro lens would of let me capture the branches only instead of the wider picture. |
Image set 7-Margate-Photos.
Lewis Baltz- Coincidental inspiration.
After taking the Margate images I found out about Lewis Baltz, who happens to share the same views and feelings about photography as me. He feels like, contrary to other arts where you start with a blank canvas/stage etc, in photography you start with a world full of content and carefully extract a small segment to represent anything you want. But, it's harder then it sounds. When in Margate I tried to capture the atmosphere of the town, which to me was actually morbid and even slightly hostile, by having lots of small tasters that when put together in a particular way achieved their goal. I wasn't thinking about the political side or any deep philosophical theories when taking these images, simply the attitude of the town and what it was making me feel. I'm interested in if any people who see this think the photos represent anything other than what I intended them to.
Using actions
By downloading photoshop actions of deviant art.com, I can apply dozens of different filters on my images. This is especially useful when I have an image that looks incomplete or boring because it allows me add more colour, or shading or even texture. For example in the image below, before being edited, looks slightly too grey and cold because of the metal grates and door. However when it's edited, it becomes warmer and darker, and more appealing for the viewer.