3.3.2: Abstract Photography

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Digital Photography

Abstract Photography

3.3.2

• Reminders & Review

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

Agenda

Extra Credit

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

IMPORTANT DATES

PRODUCT Assignment

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Portrait Assignment

• 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!!!!!

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

• 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

Review of 3.3.1

3.3.2

start

Abstract Photography

UNIT 3.3.2: 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

• Abstraction
• Abstract photography

Presentation title

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.

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.

Arshile GorkyArmenian-American painter

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

Abstraction

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.

Abstraction & Abstract Photography

Presentation title

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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.

Abstract & Abstract Photography

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.

Creating Abstract Photographs

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

Starting Small

• 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.

Thinking Big

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

for Abstract Photography

Choosing Subjects

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.

Look for Shapes, Patterns, & Textures

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.

Compose Using Only a Section of the Subject

What is this a photo of?

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

Choose Unique Subjects

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.

Experiment with Different Perspectives

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

Camera Settings &  Techniques Suited to Abstract Photography

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 a Shallow Depth of Field

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 Soft Focus

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 Panning

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.

Use Zoom Burst or Blur

2. Fine Art Photography

1. Abstract Photography

Sort the photographs below into on the two categories.

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.

Capturing Abstract Photographs Using a Smartphone

Extra Credit

Abstract Photography Extra Credit!

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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

Tips and techniques for capturing abstract photographs

How to identify works of abstract photography

The definitions of abstraction and abstract photography

in this lesson you learned

Summary 3.3.2

Extra Credit

Have a FANTASTIC DAY!!!

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.

Look for Lines

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.

Shoot in Black & White

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.

Play with Perspective

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