Personal Project #3: Abstraction
What is Abstraction?
Abstraction is a style of photography that focuses more on the formal elements like pattern or colour than on the subject of the photo. Abstract photography is not about creating a literal view of the subject. It appeals more to the emotional side of the brain than the logical side. The intention is to give the viewer an emotional stimulus, and an opportunity to enjoy the feeling. It is not about a literal representation of the subject; rather, it is about observing characteristics and elements and drawing these out to create a new perspective and understanding.
What are the elements of an abstract image?
Focus: This is what makes an image fuzzy or sharp, depending on how far from the lens the subject is. Focus can be used in abstraction by taking something in the image out of focus, distorting the image.
Line: This is when there is an obvious pattern in the way edges collaborate to make a point of interest.
Repetition: This is when an object or pattern in the image is repeated over and over again, creating a never-ending effect.
Shape: This is a shape created by objects, light and other elements in the image that interests and catches the eye of the audience.
Space: This is an area in which the object exists, the areas in or around the image. This element can also be exploited through the method of mounting the image in a frame, or hanging it from the ceiling.
Texture: This is the materials (or lack thereof) that the objects in the image are made of. It can be rough, smooth or anywhere in between.
Line: This is when there is an obvious pattern in the way edges collaborate to make a point of interest.
Repetition: This is when an object or pattern in the image is repeated over and over again, creating a never-ending effect.
Shape: This is a shape created by objects, light and other elements in the image that interests and catches the eye of the audience.
Space: This is an area in which the object exists, the areas in or around the image. This element can also be exploited through the method of mounting the image in a frame, or hanging it from the ceiling.
Texture: This is the materials (or lack thereof) that the objects in the image are made of. It can be rough, smooth or anywhere in between.
My 1st attempt at using Depth of Field (unedited)
My second batch of abstract images(unedited)
My third batch of abstract images(unedited)
A fourth set of abstract images (unedited)
My Ideas
- I am interested in creating a series of scenes shot deliberately out of focus, focusing on light, colour and silhouettes. Also, I am interested in the idea of motion blur and out of focus lines, lke painting with light.
- I am interested in the work of Idris Khan, because he uses multiple images to make an image that looks blurry through overlaying hundreds of images
- Over the Half Term holiday I aim to have at least 10 draft photos, and maybe 1 or 2 final image ideas.
Idris Khan
Idris Khan is an abstract photographer who was born in 1978, in Birmingham, England. In 2000 he graduated from the University of Derby, and studied for an MA at the Royal College of Art in 2004. Khan is a muslim by origin, with his father coming from Pakistan and his mother converting to Islam after meeting his father. His islamic upbringing could be factor in both his interest in islamic imagery, and in the Quran. Most of Khan's work derives from secondary source material. For example, Khan photographed every page of the Quran and put all of the images on top of each other, creating a blurry, abstract image. He did the same for every Beethoven Sonata, and every Bernd and Hiller Becher image of spherical gas holders.
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The Final Piece
The Plan
The idea I have for my main piece is similar to the work of Idris Khan, as I will layer images on top of each other to achieve an sense of chaos in the picture, with lines and patterns sprouting from every angle. I also intend to expand on this by including elements of Alan Babbitt's photography, for instance, I may use one of the formal elements, light, to make patterns on the image. I plan to take an image of every example of certain objects or structures that exist in the space in which I am shooting, and mix them together in some strange ways.
My Prototype Images
The Final Image
Final Piece #1: Evaluation
WWW: I really like the vibrancy of the colours in this image, because they are a mixture of all the characteristic colours of the school building.
EBI: I really enjoy the reflections of the windows and doors in this, and I had an idea for a method of mounting that would add a third dimension to the image. I would have added small mirrors to the image, giving a sense of endlessness in the reflective surfaces.
EBI: I really enjoy the reflections of the windows and doors in this, and I had an idea for a method of mounting that would add a third dimension to the image. I would have added small mirrors to the image, giving a sense of endlessness in the reflective surfaces.
Final Piece #2: Evaluation
WWW: I like the grid pattern on the ground where the edges of the paving tiles overlapped. I also like the ghostly tree that is in the foreground of the image, and the ones in the background that make up the horizon.
EBI: The subject of the image is a bland one, so I think that maybe it could look better with something more intricate.
EBI: The subject of the image is a bland one, so I think that maybe it could look better with something more intricate.