Abstract Abstract PhotographyPhotography

Manipulating RealityManipulating Reality

What is Abstraction?What is Abstraction?

• What does it mean to What does it mean to “abstract” something? “abstract” something?

An object? An object?

A person? A person?

An article?An article?

Reality?Reality?

AbstractionAbstraction

The quality of being ABSTRACT The quality of being ABSTRACT means:means:

• To be separated from its real To be separated from its real or actual formor actual form

• Not representing or imitating Not representing or imitating external realityexternal reality

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A VERY BRIEF Historical Overview of Abstraction in Painting

Neo-Classicism

Impressionism… Expressionism

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Cubism…. Surrealism

Modern

Why make abstract art?Why make abstract art?

• What is the purpose of art? What is the purpose of art? What is the purpose of an What is the purpose of an image?image?

• How is art different from real How is art different from real life?life?

• How did the invention of How did the invention of photography change painting photography change painting & drawing?& drawing?

What’s the purpose of What’s the purpose of Photography?Photography?

Why make Why make abstract abstract

photographs?photographs?

Methods for Creating Methods for Creating Abstract PhotographsAbstract Photographs

• Macro (up-close)Macro (up-close) • MinimalismMinimalism

– ColorsColors– Shapes & LinesShapes & Lines– TexturesTextures

* Notice in the following examples how * Notice in the following examples how photographers often combine all of these photographers often combine all of these techniques together to achieve their goal!techniques together to achieve their goal!

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MacroMacro

• A special lens that allows you to A special lens that allows you to focus closely on an objectfocus closely on an object

• Point-and-shoot cameras Point-and-shoot cameras typically have a little flower icon. typically have a little flower icon. Select the flower ON to shoot in Select the flower ON to shoot in “macro” mode“macro” mode

• Very expensive lenses allow for Very expensive lenses allow for better, more up-close pictures. better, more up-close pictures. Gear matters (unfortunately.)Gear matters (unfortunately.)

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MinimalismMinimalism

• Minimalistic Photography is a style Minimalistic Photography is a style that captures very few subjects or that captures very few subjects or objects within the frameobjects within the frame

• Isolation of an object within the Isolation of an object within the frameframe

• EmptinessEmptiness

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ColorsColors

• Focus on photographing Focus on photographing areas or spaces of areas or spaces of interesting color interesting color combinationscombinations

• Contrasting colorsContrasting colors• Color SchemesColor Schemes• Tonal differences in a colorTonal differences in a color

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Shapes & LinesShapes & Lines

• Identify organic or geometric shapesIdentify organic or geometric shapes• Create new shapes via cropping and Create new shapes via cropping and

framingframing• Create visual rhythm through linesCreate visual rhythm through lines• Direct the viewer’s eyes through the Direct the viewer’s eyes through the

image in a certain directionimage in a certain direction

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TexturesTextures

• Identify interesting textures Identify interesting textures (things that have a rough or (things that have a rough or smooth feel)smooth feel)

• Capture the details of the Capture the details of the surface of an objectsurface of an object

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Written ReflectionWritten Reflection

1.1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of In your opinion, what is the purpose of photography?photography?

2.2. If a photograph is abstract (either If a photograph is abstract (either macro, minimalism, or other) does it macro, minimalism, or other) does it still represent real life?still represent real life?

For an A, answer 1,2 & 3:For an A, answer 1,2 & 3:

3. 3. Over the last century, photographers have begun Over the last century, photographers have begun to abstract images to a greater degree. Why to abstract images to a greater degree. Why might photographers choose to abstract reality, might photographers choose to abstract reality, rather than depict it as we normally see it? How rather than depict it as we normally see it? How does this impact the purpose of photography?does this impact the purpose of photography?