Abstract photography is a type of photography that does not have an immediate association with the object world and that has been created through the use of photographic equipment, processes or materials. It may involve the use of color, light, shadow, texture, shape, and/or form to convey a feeling, sensation, or impression. Abstract photography can be created in various ways, such as isolating a fragment of a natural scene to remove its inherent context from the viewer or purposely staging a seemingly unreal appearance from real objects. Here are some key points about abstract photography:
- Abstract photography is non-representational and the intent is not to reflect or convey anything ‘concrete’ or ‘real’ .
- Abstract photographers rely on other facets of composition and structure to give meaning and substance to their work.
- Photographers will generally emphasize lines and curves, colors, textures, geometrical forms, and their relationship to, and interaction with one another.
- Abstract photography can be created by using various techniques such as intentional camera movement, blurry trees, light painting, bokeh, smoke, dye in water, reflections, architecture, and macro.
- Abstract photography can be intimidating to photographers because of the amount of freedom that comes with it, and there are no exact set of rules.
- Abstract photography can hold many different interpretations, views, and opinions, and there has never been an exact definition of what exactly ‘abstract photography’ is.
Overall, abstract photography is a creative and experimental way of depicting a visual image that does not have an immediate association with the object world. It allows photographers to think outside the box and create unique and visually stunning images.
