Abstract Camera Walking

Every once in a while I need a theme to get out the door Camera Walking. This past weekend was one of those times. To get motivated I read a few articles and one of them focused on taking abstract photos. As the author, Kate Wesson, the editor of iPhone Photography School said, "abstract photography is about creating unique images from ordinary subjects." That sparked my curiosity and I decided to make that the theme of my walks.

Abstract photography is about finding subjects that have shape, color, patterns, and texture that can generate some kind of emotional response from the viewer. Here are a couple of tips that might guide you in taking abstract photos.

Look for texture:

You can find texture in many places - in nature, in old cars, industrial sites, and in common items that you may come across on your walk. To achieve the best image, it is helpful to get up close to capture more of the detail. This is a photo of a flower that I edited in Topaz Impressions to get the blurred effect.

Use color:

Color is a great way to get impact. It draws your eye into the picture. You can either fill the frame with one color, or have several contrasting colors to grab attention. I was drawn into this image over the weekend while at The Center for Wooden Boats. I loved the bright colors and reflection and wanted to feature that in the photo. This was edited in both Topaz Impressions and Simplify.

Photograph reflections:

Reflections can make interesting abstract photos. Look for reflections in water and in unusual places. I was intrigued by the pattern in the driveway and then noticed the reflection in the bumper of this old car. It was a fun shot.

Get up close:

Take a photo of a flower or a leaf to create impact. The close up images pull the viewer in to see details that might have been missed, and it eliminates the distractions in the background. I love taking photos of flowers and find the patterns in each one amazing.

Play in post production:

This is where the fun can happen. When I get home to my computer and start editing my photos, I love playing with some of my software options, such as Topaz Labs' Impressions 2, Texture Effects, and Simplify. These three give me the ability to let my artist emerge. I took the image below through a screen on a porch, and then used Topaz Texture Effects to make it more surreal.

Photograph what catches your eye:

If something seems interesting to you then there is a photo there. Be true to yourself and capture what appeals to you. Remember, this is about giving you pleasure and allowing your artist to emerge.

Experiment taking abstract photos while out Camera Walking. You can find interesting subjects where ever you walk, and with a bit of post production you can create images that you might even want to put up on your walls! We would love to hear from you, so comment below, post on our Facebook page, or send us an email.