When we travel, so much of our photographic focus lies in providing information to the viewer. We shoot to explain, to draw parallels, and to make the foreign accessible. In abstract photography, we seek the opposite. We shoot to inspire questions, to confound the viewer, to isolate from context. Abstractions help us look past the obvious subject or idea to find beauty and form in the ordinary. Abstractions keep us guessing.
As you travel, you’ll be exposed to an endless collection of new subject material for abstract photography. Anything in the world, from nature to architecture, can be made abstract. Keep your eyes open, and explore the fringes and the negative space for unique juxtaposition, line, shadow, shape, and lighting.
Abstract photography is one photographic pursuit that relies minimally on gear. Some of my favorite abstract photographs were taken with my phone on a whim when I noticed something unique and interesting (Figures 32.1 and 32.2). You can use any camera and any lens to take abstract photos, but some lenses may work better than others, depending on the size and scope of the photograph you have in mind.
A zoom lens can be helpful to create abstracts of architecture (Figure 32.3) or from nature (Figure 32.4) by zooming in on a compelling shape or form. A longer focal length will allow you to selectively crop to remove the subject’s context or nearby distractions. Similarly, macro lenses can help isolate abstractions when your subject is already quite small (Figure 32.5). You can make practically any lens work. When it comes to seeing the abstract, your vision and creativity are much more important than equipment.
Once you’ve captured your best abstract image, share it with the Enthusiast’s Guide community! Follow @EnthusiastsGuides and post your image to Instagram with the hashtag #EGAbstract. Don’t forget that you can also search that same hashtag to view all the posts and be inspired by what others are shooting.
Experimentation is the best way to get comfortable with creating abstracts. When you travel, all the little details that differ from what you’re used to will jump out at you. When something catches your attention, play around with any of these techniques to make compelling abstract photos:
Abstracts are a photographic free-for-all. Ignore any rules you’ve been told and go ahead and experiment. Abstracts can be blurry, abstracts can be out of focus, and abstracts can overrule reality and decide what’s up or down. When you get the idea that something might make a good abstract, try new techniques, however silly they may seem, to find a new way of looking at the world around you.
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