Abstract Photography - What is it and can I do it?

[@drivelaughing7905]

This one is right up my street. I love a bit of abstract photography. Don't be so quick to dismiss doing it again. Some of your shots actually turned out really well. There are 4 I would say that genuinely have an artistic abstract element to them. The best reason for practicing this occasionally, is that you can apply the techniques to other fronts of photography. Using abstract is really useful to practice with the effects of colour, lighting, framing, contrast, subject, atmosphere. If you apply this to your landscapes, it can only help with the results. Looking forward to chatting with you about this subject. Also, I noticed you couldn't help yourself but slip in a couple of landscape pics to finish off the video 😂😂😂

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

I was actually quite surprised and happy with a few of those shots. I’ll probably keep an eye out for some more abstracts when I’m out and about next 👍

[@frankstyburski814]

Take heart, Tudor. Sometimes it takes several attempts at a new genre before it makes sense in your head and on your sensor. Just as when you are taking a landscape photo, it is possible to tick off all of the boxes and still produce an image that is completely unremarkable. I think it is worth a couple more tries. And sometimes success sneaks up on you when aren't trying. Still, you aren't obligated to embrace every photographic genre. Try as I do, I have no appreciation for landscape photography or portraits. I do have a passion for expressions of light, geometry, blocks of shapes, lines, texture, color, use of space, and exaggerated scale of subject. All aspects of what I consider abstraction. My understanding of photographic abstraction differs with most popular definitions. Take an image of any of the attributes I mentioned above and most would agree that it is an example of abstraction. Add indiscriminate context as modern lenses are so good at, and the addition of detail negates the classification for most, despite the fact that NONE of the abstract elements were removed. Most photographs have aspects of abstraction. And while I believe that an abstract photograph needn't incorporate representational information, its inclusion doesn't turn it into something else. Rather, an image can exist in several genres at the same time, without dismissing its identity in any of them. That said, It is conceivable that landscape photographs can at the same time be photographic abstractions as well. So give it another go with my thoughts in mind. You might get something good on occasion. Here is a link to some pictures that I recently exhibited that illustrate my approach to abstraction. All the best, Frank frankstyburski.weebly.com/current-show.html

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

Wow some great information Frank. Thank you. I see from your images great examples of what to aim at (pun intended 🤣) I will be giving it another go 👍

[@JamesSharp11]

Oh, com on keep going, on abstrack

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

I think I will - it’s a very interesting subject isn’t it?

[@RandyTaylor_1969]

Hi Tudor!! I was interested in dipping my toes into abstract photography, checked KZbin for any tips or tricks, and found your channel by accident. Loved your video and I subscribed to your channel as well. I'm still perfecting my landscape composition and so far much prefer that to abstract. I am, however, keeping an open mind to hopefully see cool abstract photo opportunities while I'm out and about taking landscape shots. Like you, I'm always up for a new challenge or two!! 😂 Thank you for posting this and sharing not just your shots, but also your settings for each one. I greatly appreciate all of it. Thanks again, take care and stay safe!!! Randy

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

Hi Randy. Thanks for dropping a comment. That was my first attempt at abstracts because as I say often in my videos, I’m a photographer of things. There are so many facets in photography so I think it’s worth discovering all of them to find your niche. Funny though that I find you can see abstracts even when you’re doing landscapes. Good luck dipping your toes 🤣📷

[@nicknichols4249]

The images of man made structures in black and white could use more contrast to make a bolder statement, but that's just my opinion. Enjoyed your video, its good to try different genres, we learn so much and it helps us improve our skills, I know it does for me. AT 75, I can use all the help I can get! :)

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

A little bit of post processing right? I’ll need to do a bit more of this type of photography to get things like perspective, angles and light into my brain 👍

[@SpainBoy2]

Thank you for the inspiration! I'm going to give this kind of photography a go this weekend. I have a quick question for you: I've noticed that you have a lens hood on, yet, I'm not sure I've seen you use it. Do you use it? Did I just miss the episode where you addressed it? Anyway, thank you again!

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

I generally only use it if I get lens flair but it seems easier to leave it on but backwards instead of trying to remember where I put it in my camera bag 🤣

[@Ricalex67]

Just found this. Nature has plenty of abstracts once you tune yourself in to it. I’ve just returned to photography after a couple of decades, why I don’t know yet but I’m hoping abstract and minimalism will give me enjoyment. I’d love to do people in street but I’m not confident, I don’t find landscapes appealing (sorry). Right I’m off to the coast to get some abstracts along the shoreline after my cuppa. I’ll check some more of your content out later but hope you do give it another go. Ps…at 8:50 - those lines on the side of the building with one of the light domes at the end would have been a great shot, even more so if done when dark.

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

I did find the exercise enjoyable but it's definitely not a genre I'm familair with. Still, it's nice to give it a go. I'm glad you spotted a shot I didn't see. We all see different things right? Have fun getting your abstracts...oh and not everyone enjoys landscapes. That's the beauty of photography. There are so many other genres to explore. 👍

[@Ricalex67]

@@TudorSmithPhotography you’d think I would love seascapes living in the gower coast in south wales with about 18 beaches within 20 mins of my house. I think that’s the problem, I’ve become too familiar with it, so now I look for beauty within it rather than as a whole.

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

Can’t see the wood for the trees eh? 🙂 Definitely an opportunity to think outside of the box then 👍

[@robertleeimages]

Only 1 tip, not everything has to be changed to monochrome

[@TudorSmithPhotography]

Absolutely 👍