There is no universally accepted or standard definition of abstract photography. Abstract photography can be defined as a type of photography that doesn’t represent the subject in a literal way. The photograph, in technical words, communicates through colour, curves and image detail, while, in essence, it can also communicate emotions. Many abstract photographs don’t mean anything but they just intend to create a certain mood.
Abstract images can be very powerful, because they carry their justification in themselves. An abstract photography will not necessarily carry same meaning for everyone. It leaves more food for the viewer’s imagination. Abstract photography is based more on a photographer’s imagination than the concrete subject; therefore, abstract images can be photographed almost anywhere, even at home. Abstract photography is a popular form of art and pays off well, if an art buyer is interested in your quality work.
Abstract photography is unlike most other types of photography. The general photography rules like composition and accurate focus hold almost no value for abstract photography. An abstract photo may or may not follow the general rule of thirds.
Some kinds of macro photography can also be considered as abstract. Close-up of flowers or other microscopic plants can make great abstract images. Abstract images can be created just by taking a picture sheer out of focus or with soft focus. A lot of abstract photography comes out of shots of patterns. These patterns can be of cloth, a leaf, rugged wall or stained glass.
When creating abstract images, selective focus is one of the most common techniques used. While creating such image, firstly a large aperture is used to create a narrow depth of field and then camera is focused on the point of interest, leaving everything else out of focus. Many abstract photographs are minimalistic. They isolate the subject. Vague shadows on the roadside shot from quite a distance, a single droplet or a flake of snow in crisp focus while rest of the background is a blur makes a great abstract. The fragile weaving of spider webs with dew drops resting on it, focused in a place and blur in rest if a wonderful abstract photography. Bokeh patterns, i.e. unfocused lights, are another very common form of abstract photographs.
Abstract photographers pay special attention to the colour of the image. Many photographers prefer a harmony of colours or some use complimenting colours in their photographs. Duo-tone photos are common in the gallery of abstract photography.
There are no guidelines for creating good abstract images. To create good abstract photographs, you need a photographic eye, which you can acquire, to spot the images in random things and your imagination along with it.
Keywords: abstract photography, abstract, photography, vague, blur, patterns, bokeh.
