The Abstract Challenge

When Leigh first posted the theme for June, Attraction to Abstraction, it got me thinking. I wasn’t sure I even knew what “abstract” photography was. So I did a little research.  I found out that: 

“If you are looking to try a new form of photography, abstract photography will certainly be an enjoyable challenge and very rewarding if you master the true art.”  http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_abstract_photography.

Hmmm, that sounds promising, I thought.  An “enjoyable challenge” sounded like just what I needed.  I read further in that same article and found this: 

“Some kinds of macro photography can be considered as abstract. Close-ups of flowers and other plant life will make great abstract subjects.” 
  
Well, I have been interested in macro for quite some time and flowers are one of my favorite things to shoot.  So I was excited to find out that a macro shot of a flower could be considered “abstract”.

But wasn't taking me out of my comfort zone and I was looking to challenge myself a bit more.  I read further in the same article and found this: 
  
“Abstract photography is a process of using colours and patterns combined to create an image, with no true meaning or no clear subject involved. Abstract photography is not necessarily going to mean the same thing to everyone. Abstract photography leaves more to the imagination and helps us concentrate on texture and colour rather than the whole subject.”

Okay, so it was getting a bit clearer.  Use colors and patterns and create an image with no true meaning or clear subject matter. 

But I was still asking myself, “Why would a photographer choose to create abstract images?” More research brought me to this:

"Abstract images can be very powerful. That in itself is all the justification that is needed. However, there is a second advantage. Abstract images can be created almost anywhere. What that means is that a photographer can create abstract images right at home and in the surrounding neighborhood. This is in contrast to other types of photography, such as landscape photography, where there is the cost in time and money to travel to specific locations to capture images."  http://ronbigelow.com/articles/abstract-photography/abstract-photography.html.

Now, I liked the sound of that -- finding interesting things to shoot right at home!

With a little better understanding of what “abstract” was, I walked around my house with my camera and found some pretty interesting things to shoot like the base of a birdbath in my backyard:

And a basket filled with mini-albums in my family room:

If you’re looking for more inspiration on shooting abstract photography, take a look at all the eye candy here:  40 Astounding Examples of Abstract Photography.

There is another article with lots of great information and inspirational images at  http://www.thephotoargus.com/tips/an-abstract-macro-photographers-setup/.

One thing this exercise taught me is that it is so easy to get into a rut, shooting the same things in the same way, and not challenging yourself to try something new. Thanks to Leigh’s June theme, I challenged myself, learned a lot and had a blast!

So go out and capture your version of "abstract" and share it with all of us in the Flickr pool. Don't forget to tag it with "ATA" to have it considered for In Focus.  Can't wait to see them!