Abstract art has helped us to experience the emotional power inherent in pure form.” – Anton Ehrenzweig

This post is not intended to be an exhaustive study of abstract photography but just a quick reflection on what abstract photography is about along with some quick tips on how to pre-visualize abstracts.

So according to Wikipedia “Abstract photography, sometimes called non-objective, experimental, conceptual or concrete photography, is a means of depicting a visual image that does not have an immediate association with the object world and that has been created through the use of photographic equipment, processes or materials”

In my book abstract photography and abstract art are  about shapes, forms, patterns, textures, proximity (zoom) and particularly in black and white images abstract is all about tonal range.

Now, some practical tips to start visualizing abstract images. First of all you have to take your camera and start shooting — it’s very difficult to really have an idea on how your “abstract subject” will look like just speculating without the camera —   so take your camera, start shooting and ignore the subject! look for interesting shapes (2D and 3D), look for appealing patterns and textures, get close to your “subject”, actually my best abstract images have been captured using macro lenses.

Below some abstracts:

Traces of reality III © Enrique Peláez

This particular image is about shapes, curves and light. If you haven’t guessed it the subject is some paper sheets.

The Power of Imagination © Enrique Peláez

This image is about shapes (3D), light and tonal range.  Probably in this one it is a little bit harder to guess what the actual “subject” is.  So this is a macro view of a ribbon and its reflection on a black piece of acrylic.

Please feel free to reach out if you’re interested in more information about this couple of images or simply if you want to share with me your thoughts on abstract photography.  Here is a link to my website gallery of abstract images: http://www.enrique-pelaez.com/Abstracts/i-VH8jFKg

I do appreciate your comments and suggestion, if you are interested in more information regarding the making on my images as well as general information about black and white photography please subscribe to my blog to receive automatic notifications every time I publish a new post.

---

Website – http://www.enrique-pelaez.com/

Facebook Page –  https://www.facebook.com/EnriquePelaezPhotography

Google Plus – https://plus.google.com/u/0/+EnriquePelaez