3.7: Abstract Photography

Digital Photography

Mrs. Strite

with

3.3.2

What's your favorite music streaming service?

Abstract Photography

Agenda

• Reminders & Review

• What is Fine Art Photography
• Portrait Fine Art Photography
• Landscape Fine Art Photography
• How to take Fine Art Photography Images

Extra Credit

IMPORTANT DATES

• 11/20: Photojournalism Assignment
• 11/27: Recording/Work Day
• 12/4: Unit 3 Test
• 12/6: Unit 4 Starts

Digital Photography

Mrs. Strite

with

3.3

How did they make Hagrid look so big?

Portrait Photography & Assignment

Agenda

• Reminders & Review

• Assignment Preview

• Lesson

• Review of Assignment

PRODUCT Assignment

Portrait Assignment

• Product needs to be in focus
• Background should be clear of clutter.
• No photos taken by professional photographers
• YOU need to take the photographs!!!!!

• Subject needs to resemble a person
• LABEL each image with Portrait Type
• Photo need to be in focus!
• No photos taken by professional photographers
• YOU need to take the photographs!!!!!

+ info

+ info

Review of 3.3.1

• Identify the moods, emotions, and ideas captured in fine art photographs
• Identify things to consider before capturing fine art photographs
• Express an opinion on the concept used in an artwork
• Outline an idea to compose a fine art photograph

Abstract Photography

3.3.2

start

UNIT 3.3.2: Abstract Photography

• Abstraction
• Abstract photography

• identify features of abstract photography

• identify tips and techniques that can be used to capture abstract photographs
• give an opinion about the emotions and ideas expressed in an abstract photograph
• compose an abstract photograph

Presentation title

Previously, you learned about fine art photography, which aligns with the artist's vision. Fine art photos express unique ideas or emotions and are not commercial, unlike documentary photography. Abstract photography, also known as non-objective or conceptual photography, depicts images without direct ties to the real world, through the use of photographic tools and techniques.

An abstract photograph may:

• focus on a part of a scene, removing context,
• be staged for an unreal effect,
• use color, light, and shape to evoke feelings or impressions.

"Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes."

Arshile GorkyArmenian-American painter

Abstraction

Abstraction & Abstract Photography

Abstraction occurs in art when an artist uses a recognizable subject but portrays it unrealistically. The subject is recognizable, but the manner of presentation is not realistic.

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Presentation title

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Presentation title

Abstract & Abstract Photography

Abstract photography often portrays a recognizable subject unrealistically to express ideas and emotions. Because abstract photographs portray a subject unrealistically, they can be interpreted in various ways. People may interpret a single photograph differently based on their own perceptions and personal experiences. Abstract photography is not a realistic representation of what the photographer is photographing.

Creating Abstract Photographs

As challenging as composing abstract photographs may be, abstract photography provides an excellent platform for amateur photographers to experiment and put their creative impulses to use. Abstract photography allows you to break free of the limits imposed by the need to capture a subject with a specific camera angle or technique. There are no obligations or firm rules about what you might do.

Starting Small

Look at familiar objects in a NEW Perspective

• Start by choosing a familiar subject. This subject may be anything in your surroundings, such as a rug, a desk, a window, a lamp, or a kitchen utensil.
• Practice photographing your subject in unusual ways. Think of it as a way to make the familiar unfamiliar.
• Take images at unusual angles or perspectives
• Get close!
• Use an editing app like SnapSeed
• Focus on the textures and patterns

Thinking Big

• Explore larger subjects like staircases or trees after practicing with everyday objects.
• Visualize your chosen subject in various ways, considering colors, lines, and shapes.
• Determine if techniques like focus adjustment or frame filling will enhance your creativity.
• Finally, think about editing your photos to express your artistic vision by adjusting color, cropping, enlarging, or flipping the image.

Choosing Subjects

for Abstract Photography

As you know, there are very few limits to what you might do to capture and create an abstract photograph. Here are a few tips that you can use as you search for subjects and compose your first abstract works:

• Choose unique subjects or look at everyday object in a unique way
• Look for shapes, patterns, and textures
• Compose using only a section of the subject
• Experiment with different perspectives

Look for Shapes, Patterns, & Textures

Study your surroundings, and look for:

• interesting shapes, patterns, & textures
• recurring shapes or themes

Shapes, patterns, textures, and themes can make compositions lively and eye-catching.

Compose Using Only a Section of the Subject

While composing, keep these points in mind:

• Visualize subjects differently from the way they are typically seen.
• Instead of capturing a picture of your subject as a whole, find parts of it that look interesting.

What is this a photo of?

Choose Unique Subjects

Seemingly uninteresting things can provide you with unique subjects and awesome textures for abstract photographs.Consider subjects that people often overlook or ignore in daily life. They include:

• rusted metal
• decaying wood
• peeling paint

Experiment with Different Perspectives

Everyday objects can be made interesting by capturing them from:

• different perspectives
• different camera angles

For example, in this photograph, a subject going over data displayed on a glass touch screen has been captured through the screen.

Camera Settings &  Techniques Suited to Abstract Photography

You have already learned a few tips for identifying suitable subjects for an abstract photograph. Once you have a subject in mind, you can use a variety of camera settings and techniques to help create an abstract work:

• Use a shallow depth of field
• Use soft focus
• Apply panning
• Use a zoom burst or blur

Use a Shallow Depth of Field

Use of a shallow depth of field can take an ordinary photograph and make it extraordinary, sometimes creating an entirely new vision of a common subject. Using a shallow depth of field helps to:

• keep one part of the picture sharp and the rest of it blurry
• provide a sense of intrigue

Use Soft Focus

Using soft focus can take a simple subject and make it new. To create a soft focus in your cell phone:

• Use portrait setting (if you have it)
• Editing change aperture to the lowest setting if you can

To create a soft focus using a digital camera, follow these steps:

• Set your camera to aperture priority mode.
• Set your lens to the widest aperture. (This will be a small number, such as f/2.4 or f/4.)
• Make sure your focus point on what you want in focus

Use Panning

You can use panning to capture running people, bicycles, cars, or just about anything that is moving. To apply panning, follow these steps:

• As your subject approaches, focus and start tracking with your camera until you are confident that you are moving in sync with the subject.

Panning can be applied to strong vibrant colors, as lines in the frame will help keep the colors distinct and separated

Use Zoom Burst or Blur

A zoom burst or zoom blur is another technique that is simple, fun, and easy to achieve. It involves changing the focal length of your lens (zooming in or out) while capturing your photograph. This will cause the shot to blur from the center outward as if the scene is bursting toward you.

Sort the photographs below into on the two categories.

1. Abstract Photography

2. Fine Art Photography

Capturing Abstract Photographs Using a Smartphone

You do not need a high-end DSLR camera in order to capture abstract photographs. In fact, you can get awesome abstract photographs using your mobile phone. Here are few tips to consider the next time you are using the camera on your phone:

• Play with perspective.
• Look for lines.
• Shoot in black and white.

Forced PErspective

Example of fun forced perspective!

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Abstract Photography Extra Credit!

Extra Credit

EXTRA CREDIT!!!

Now, use what you have learned about abstract photography to compose your own abstract photograph using your mobile phone or digital camera. Take as many shots as you would like, and complete the activity by sharing your favorite one with your teacher. Follow these steps to compose your abstract photograph:

• First, select a subject.
• Next, decide how your subject will be abstracted.
• Finally, select a camera technique that supports your plan for the photograph.

Extra Credit Padlet

+ info

Summary 3.3.2

in this lesson you learned

How to identify works of abstract photography

Tips and techniques for capturing abstract photographs

The definitions of abstraction and abstract photography

Have a FANTASTIC DAY!!!

Extra Credit

Look for Lines

Lines bring order to an image. If your subject looks chaotic, adding lines can structure it. This technique highlights specific aspects of your photo. Compose your shot so lines lead to your focal point.

Shoot in Black & White

Shooting in black and white can provide many advantages in abstract photography: It places the focus on the subject; a viewer is not distracted by the surrounding colors. It can make a commonplace scene seem dramatic. It provides a classic look and feel, sometimes evoking a feeling of nostalgia in viewers.

Shoot in Black & White

Shooting in black and white can provide many advantages in abstract photography: It places the focus on the subject; a viewer is not distracted by the surrounding colors. It can make a commonplace scene seem dramatic. It provides a classic look and feel, sometimes evoking a feeling of nostalgia in viewers.

Play with Perspective

Get close to your subject for better abstract photos, revealing shapes and patterns often missed. Try different angles too; shooting from above or below offers a fresh perspective.

Shoot in Black & White

Shooting in black and white can provide many advantages in abstract photography: It places the focus on the subject; a viewer is not distracted by the surrounding colors. It can make a commonplace scene seem dramatic. It provides a classic look and feel, sometimes evoking a feeling of nostalgia in viewers.