This week, Patti Moed takes a look at expressing the abstract in photography. She writes, “…we invite you to break the rules and go beyond the traditional realistic image of an object, scene, or element.” You can check out her examples here. A few weeks ago in a Facebook photo group, I completed a similar challenge preparing some images using photo manipulation to give the images an abstract impressionistic look. In my opening image, I used a filter in Photoshop Elements to express pointillism where the image is created by a series of small dots. In this case, the tool converts the image to a series of pixels, an obviously easy task for a computer, I’d think.
This image was captured while standing behind a waterfall. I didn’t need to apply any special processing tools to make the image abstract, the waterfall did that for me.
Classic car nut that I am, I like to photograph the grilles of classic cars, those from prior to the 1930’s when grilles expressed a designer’s style. In this example, a La Salle grille boasts it’s logo.
An easy way to create an abstract effect is to select a slow shutter speed and twist the zoom ring while the shutter is open. In this example, a lighted spider web is the subject. The long exposure gave time to pause a moment to expose the points of light and then the twist causes the light to “streak”.
This shot of flowers in a botanical garden was “abstracted” by using a poster filter that outlined each flower and a texturizer to give the entire image the appearance that it was printed on a fabric. Click on the image to enlarge it to see the effect more distinctly.
Probably my favorite abstraction is a view of a restaurant from the canal at the San Antonio River Walk. A collection of filters in Photoshop Elements created the impressionistic feel of this image. The effect is subtle unless you view it close up. Click on the image to enlarge it for a better view.
Thanks again to Patti for a challenge that allowed me to show off some of my personal abstractions.
John Steiner
Flare Legend Adventures
What you did with the spider web is incredible!
Thanks! It’s a fun and easy way to “abstract”!
Nicely done John. The spider web is amazing. Loved the colored reflections in your final image
Thank you! Light patterns make an excellent subject for a long exposure moving zoom. 🙂
Wonderful images. I especially liked the waterfall, creating its own special effect.
5hanks. This was a fun challenge and a genre of photography that I don’t often explore.
A great set of abstract images, John! The slow shutter speed can make a different photo.
Thank you, John!
Thanks! I don’t do enough slow shutter photos. Gotta try some more.
These are really amazing! The spider web really caught my attention.
Thanks. That web turned out to be much more interesting than I expected.
Haha, yeah. Could I ask how you did it?
The lighted web was in a display at a nature park. I set an exposure long enough to capture the light and at the last second I twisted the zoom lens to telephoto creating the zoom effect.
Wow. That’s brilliant. Congrats. Your an amazing photographer. 👍
Thank you, my friend.
I love your collection, John! You’ve shared some great techniques here for creating abstracts. I love it!
Thank you! I appreciate your stopping by and commenting!
That first one reminds me of the painting Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte. The flowers remind me of Monet by Georges Seurat. Secondly the flowers remind me of Monet’s Apple Trees in Blossom… Worthy homage! Great techniques!
Thanks. I enjoyed playing with these images to emulate the original styles.
Wha you did with the spider web was amazing – and really like the car grill -so cool
Thanks! I love old car grills as they are so unique among brands in the early years.
Yes – and I know good ornaments more than I know grill logos – so this was a good exposure
John, I enjoyed all of your abstract images, although, must admit my favorite is the lighted spider web. Love the creative way you captured it with your camera plus all of its lovely colors!!
Thank you for the compliment!
Oooh. Great shots, each unique. Particularly like the first two, woman bending and sheet of water. Well done.
Thanks! This was a fun challenge. It makes me want to create more abstract work!