Define Abstract?

Bitter Jeweler · May 25, 2012

Your very welcome, and thank YOU too!

There are several Abstract Flickr groups you could take a gander at as well. Which will give you more than just my point of view.

Ernicus · May 25, 2012

Bitter Jeweler said:
If you want a little bit of a guide...

Don't rely on shallow DoF for abstraction.

Do these all in B&W:
1. Find compositions made up entirely of straight lines.
2. Find compositions made up entirely of curved lines.
3. Find compositions made up of lines (straight and/or curved) and ONE shape.
4. Find compositions made up entirely of shapes.

Use color:
5. Find compositions that rely on color to lead your eye around, using any element of design (line/shape)
6. Find compositions that show pattern.
7. Find compositions that contain a pattern break.
8. Find compositions made up entirely of color and tone, no lines or shapes! (lines and shapes can be "implied", but not hard edged lines)
9. Find composition that rely solely on texture.
10. Have fun with it!

I like this little project. Thanks for posting it.

tmjjk · May 25, 2012

I know ... I'm excited and completely inspired... I really am here to learn and there are some excellent teachers here... And I am completely up for the test

Ernicus · May 25, 2012

So I had this in mind when out on my b&wi adventure tonight, didn't bring the list as I was going to work on it tomorrow. But when taking one, I was thinking of it. This light pole had a nice curve to it, round shape in the light, with a building with nice lines in the background. does it qualify? or do you need more close up kinda stuff? or just obscure so you don't really know what it is at first?

Is it not a good subject for exercise...would a crop help?

just wanna get some feedback before I go actually do the exercise tomorrow.

Thanks.

Bitter Jeweler · May 26, 2012

No, not abstract. The subject is clear.

With abstraction, composition is what is important. Any recognizable object should not be readily apparent, it should be the afterthought.

Abstraction typically comes from smaller sections of larger things.

Bitter Jeweler · May 26, 2012

For example,

While you do see a stairway in this image, you are immediately hit by the composition and its elements.
Color and line and their placement are the real subject. What it is exactly, is pretty secondary. Also the context of this being a building is not present.

sm4him · May 26, 2012

I'd seen this thread when it was first posted and didn't reply because:

1. I couldn't really be helpful when it comes to abstract photography, though I love to try it.
2. I just knew Bitter would come along and lend advice.

Bitter, thanks--some really good, basic advice and a solid "starting point" for those of us who would like to explore abstract photography. I've tried my hand at it, because I often find myself fascinated by the shapes, patterns and colors around me rather than the "bigger picture" objects.

I haven't ever posted an abstract on the forum though, because I fear they are terrible. :lol:

Kudos to the OP for the nerve to do so! And I do like that b&w drain/stopper photo, especially after cutting it in half at Bitter's suggestion.

Perhaps I'll get inspired to post one, too. Perhaps.

Ernicus · May 26, 2012

Bitter Jeweler said:
No, not abstract. The subject is clear.

With abstraction, composition is what is important. Any recognizable object should not be readily apparent, it should be the afterthought.

Abstraction typically comes from smaller sections of larger things.

Cool. Thanks.

pgriz · May 26, 2012

Bitter has a very good eye for these kinds of things, and he shows us what there is if we "see". Also a very good primer here on what contributes to making an abstract.

The abstract works when the underlying object recedes, and the shapes (diagonals, triangles, circles, etc) whether created by edge contrast or colour contrast or even tonality, become the dominant elements. Really, it's about the edges, since the edges generally define the shape.

Bitter Jeweler · May 26, 2012

It's not easy either. Especially finding really successful images people respond to.
It is a valuable learning excersize for composition.

Here is one using line and tone. Remember, line doesn't mean fine lines drawn from a pencil. Lines can be thin or broad. So broad, they become shapes.

Here, the vertical lines can loosely be called a pattern, and the little horizontal line becomes the pattern break.
Cover that up and you should see what it adds to the image.

Bitter Jeweler · May 26, 2012

This one uses line and texture.

The_Pearl_Poet · May 26, 2012

How is this for abstract?

Ernicus · May 26, 2012

Yeah, I have my list and am about to head out. I think I'll be lucky to get one from the list, lol. But what I like most is how it has me thinking. I have a pretty technical mind and at times, it is hard to get me thinking creatively.

I have a great shot in mind of a structure, glass and metal, all made up of triangles, piece of art in front of the college/library. It will make a cool picture alone, but I wonder if and how I can incorporate this style with it...we'll see.

Ernicus · May 26, 2012

This is tough. I am struggling with the color portion. I will keep working at it though.

I still have quite a few to go through from today, but I thought these were interesting so I thought I'd throw them up for review and C&C.

In the color one, I found it kinda neat 'cause the green in the front slats is reflection from the grass...the others are not picking up the same thing.