Thank you to @annied for hosting the last abstract challenge. As one of the shortlisted photographers I have been invited to host this, the 73rd, Abstract Challenge.
So, what is is an abstract?” (All details below pinched from Annie's challenge!)
There are two general ways to answer this. The first, and most accurate, comes from the word “abstract” itself. It’s when you pull (or abstract) a detail out of a common object and turn it into something totally unrecognizable. The idea behind this process is to bring out or evoke an emotion from the picture that is not based on a previous feeling or thought about that object.
For example, you have a picture of a cat, and everyone can see it’s a cat. But when you zero in on the cat’s whiskers, play around with the lines, and add some colour or effects, by the time you’re done playing with the picture, no one recognizes it’s a cat. The lines may make someone feel secure, or agitated, or intrigued, but those feelings are not related to cats.
The second approach is to take the picture and manipulate in such a way that the object is barely identifiable by cropping, blurring, taking the picture from a unique POV, changing the colour to one which that object does not usually come in, and other forms of photo manipulation you wouldn’t commonly apply to that object.
In this format you may take the picture of the cat from underneath or overhead (if your cat cooperates!), highlighting the ears or nose. Then in post-processing you may crop the picture in for a close-up, blur the details and apply a watercolour effect. Some people may still recognize it’s a cat, but instead of reacting to the details, they may remember how some cats do like affection or that others are moody- no matter how much they recognize of the cat, the picture will still make them feel something even if it’s not about cats.
As mentioned in the last abstract challenge there are some tips that might help you capture or create an interesting abstract:
Shoot the ordinary.
Choose strong shapes.
Get up close.
Use colour to grab attention.
Seek out texture.
Look for repeating patterns.
Use lines and curves.
Photograph reflections.
Shoot through another object.
Capture motion.
Go macro.
@annied@farmreporter Annie and Wendy I'm away a lot between now and end of challenge, if I don't do shortlist, please do nudge me!!! Challenge not backdated as no entries tagged 73
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So, what is is an abstract?” (All details below pinched from Annie's challenge!)
There are two general ways to answer this. The first, and most accurate, comes from the word “abstract” itself. It’s when you pull (or abstract) a detail out of a common object and turn it into something totally unrecognizable. The idea behind this process is to bring out or evoke an emotion from the picture that is not based on a previous feeling or thought about that object.
For example, you have a picture of a cat, and everyone can see it’s a cat. But when you zero in on the cat’s whiskers, play around with the lines, and add some colour or effects, by the time you’re done playing with the picture, no one recognizes it’s a cat. The lines may make someone feel secure, or agitated, or intrigued, but those feelings are not related to cats.
The second approach is to take the picture and manipulate in such a way that the object is barely identifiable by cropping, blurring, taking the picture from a unique POV, changing the colour to one which that object does not usually come in, and other forms of photo manipulation you wouldn’t commonly apply to that object.
In this format you may take the picture of the cat from underneath or overhead (if your cat cooperates!), highlighting the ears or nose. Then in post-processing you may crop the picture in for a close-up, blur the details and apply a watercolour effect. Some people may still recognize it’s a cat, but instead of reacting to the details, they may remember how some cats do like affection or that others are moody- no matter how much they recognize of the cat, the picture will still make them feel something even if it’s not about cats.
As mentioned in the last abstract challenge there are some tips that might help you capture or create an interesting abstract:
Shoot the ordinary.
Choose strong shapes.
Get up close.
Use colour to grab attention.
Seek out texture.
Look for repeating patterns.
Use lines and curves.
Photograph reflections.
Shoot through another object.
Capture motion.
Go macro.
Chris Cook @cdcook48 recommended this link where you may find some inspiration: https://iso.500px.com/how-to-shoot-abstract-photography/
Start Date: May 20th
End Date:, June 23rd
Tag: abstract-73
Entries can be viewed here: https://365project.org/tags/abstract-73
Any photos taken in that time frame are eligible. Enter as many photos as you wish, but only one image per photographer will be shortlisted.
I look forward to seeing your entries - feel free to post them in this thread as well, to share them as we go.
Thanks