What is abstraction:
Abstract photography i would say, is one form or art. I would describe it as when the photographer takes out a certain, or unusual small part of an idea of the image, and plays around with it to make it seem abstract. Using a variety of lights, colours and more. Some resources that helped me find out more about abstraction photography were, Masters of photography, Tate, Photographers gallery and photokonnexion. When taking abstract photos it's important to use the formal elements.
abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he can not see physically with his eyes.'
Arshile Gorky...
Pinterest:
Abstract photography:
The formal elements in photography.
There are several formal elements in photography. For example:
-Form - Three dimensional representation of objects through the use of light and shadows
-Texture - Use of lighting to bring out details of an object
- Pattern - Use of repetition for an interesting photo or affect
-Shape - Two dimensional representation of objects
- Colour - Using warm and cool colours for a mood
-Line - It can be vertical, horizontal, curved or jagged
-Space - Either negative or positive space can be used to make a statement
-Form - Three dimensional representation of objects through the use of light and shadows
-Texture - Use of lighting to bring out details of an object
- Pattern - Use of repetition for an interesting photo or affect
-Shape - Two dimensional representation of objects
- Colour - Using warm and cool colours for a mood
-Line - It can be vertical, horizontal, curved or jagged
-Space - Either negative or positive space can be used to make a statement
Home photos:
Abstraction photography
Evaluation:
In todays lesson we looked at an abstract photograph. We discussed weather the photo 'worked' or not. I thought the picture worked at it was different and unique and had a variety of focuses and and formal elements and could be questioned by people. For the second part of our lesson we were given 2 pieces of paper from the darkroom, but could not see them. We had to cut them up and make shapes and patterns but without looking at what the picture looked like.
Half term shoot:
Over the half term we were asked to take a load of photos we believed were abstract.
Patrick Lears:
Abstraction & Photography:
Patrick lears is an artist and arts professional with over 25 years experience . He has an interest in arts-related archives and arts conservation. Patrick had an eye for black and white prints that was accumulating and he would throw them out. Overtime he would cut them up and conjured new work. He sometimes works with clay and sculptures.
Detailed writing:
I would describe this photo as unique and questionable.I would call the photo 'the mystery behind the photo'. The photo is also a collage.I think this image was created with a variety of different photos.
The could of been different photos that have been cut up and placed in different ways on paper.
I think the composition has been planned in a certain and specific way, so make the photo abstract.
The colours in the photo are weird in a way, this is because it has a consistency of black and white ,also dull colours throughout the photo, however there's a small circle with with brighter , making it stand out more.
Overall the look of the photo is something you don't see something. Some people would say it works while others would say it doesn't work and dislike it.The photo inspires me into experimenting with using different photos to make one more collage.
The could of been different photos that have been cut up and placed in different ways on paper.
I think the composition has been planned in a certain and specific way, so make the photo abstract.
The colours in the photo are weird in a way, this is because it has a consistency of black and white ,also dull colours throughout the photo, however there's a small circle with with brighter , making it stand out more.
Overall the look of the photo is something you don't see something. Some people would say it works while others would say it doesn't work and dislike it.The photo inspires me into experimenting with using different photos to make one more collage.
During a lesson we were given a series of different photos to play around with. We had to use one main photo for our background and stick and cut out. However we were not allowed to see the photos. We had to keep them face down and see what we could make out of them. I think this photo is abstract because it has it's variety of lines, and tones, and patterns throughout the photo. It also has one main focus that draws us in when we look at it. I decided i would cut out a series of small circles and place them anywhere they would it. I thought to make the photo more interesting i would cut out another photo and stick that down to make it more interesting and filled. I also thought the less planning i did on the photo the more interesting it would be for me to see how it turned out out and how i could use this techinque in the future when doing activites such as these. I took inspiration from Patrick Lears as i realised he used a lot of circles in his photos and they added and interesting aspect to the photo, and using circles could add something interesting to the collage that was being designed.
Paul Strand photography:
This is the Paul Strand photography. We are asked to look at the photo and evaluate it.
I would say the photo contains shadows, curvy lines, and some clear tones throughout the photo. It has weird colours as well as texture. The lines are very vague and are not very bold. There is one lines that is used well with texture that separates the paper and whatever the paper is on, showing its two different objects.
I would say the photo contains shadows, curvy lines, and some clear tones throughout the photo. It has weird colours as well as texture. The lines are very vague and are not very bold. There is one lines that is used well with texture that separates the paper and whatever the paper is on, showing its two different objects.
Homework Photoshoot:
For this week we were asked to take as series of abstract photos:
Dafna Talmor Research:
This one of the amazing photos by Dafna Talmor. In the photo i can see some form of a sea. The dark blue line at the very back of the photo seperates the shallow end and the drop to the deep end of the sea futher out. At the back of the photo in the left hand, there looks as if there's some type of wave folding over. It's a low tide so the puddles of water stand out with different patterns each time. It looks as if there are stones or pebbles also lying on the sand thats been washed up by the water. It also looks like the tide has washed up the plastic or waste in the sea. This picture is an interesting one, as the photo are been taken and cut out and stuck back together with different parts of the photo in different places. The title 'Constructed Landscapes' suggest that maybe the photos have been taken apart and moved around in different ways to experiment, i think it goes well as when you think of construction you think of things being re-built or ,moved to somewhere different; which is what Dafna has done. Dafna may have pieced together photograms of different locations because it could have been an idea she liked for unique photography. Dafna also may have questioned if this would inspire people to be more unique and think more outside the box when taking photos.
Dafna Talmor gallery:
All images courtesy the artist"
Dafna Talmor
constructive photos :
For this task we were asked to make creative images. We were given a variety of materials and photo to stick on and cut out. We were then asked to photograph our work once it was done and pined onto the window.
Dafna talmor workshop:
On Wednesday 11th December we had the opportunity to do a workshop with Dafna, she came on and spoke to us about her work and how her ideas formed and what inspired her. She went into depth about her childhood and growing up. She also talked about the specific way she chose to make her photos and how it took her almost 2 days to finish just one piece. For the rest of the workshop we made our own work like Dafna's. We were given little photos that had been taken and were given a variety of materials to use throughout the task Some materials and resources we were able to use in the workshop were:
-Cutting mats
-35mm slides
-Scissors
-Scalpels
-Different jelly coloured papers
-Whole punchers
-Felt tip pins etc
When given these materials we were allowed to cut, stick, move around and play with the different pictures and papers and everything. We all made different decisions on what we would do and how we would plan them, and what we hoped they would turn out to look like. It was difficult to keep everything together when moving it of from the light box into the slides we had to keep them in. I would say i used the Tallis habits; but definitely perseverance the most throughout as it was hard to keep up and keep on going. Below were some of the photograms i managed to make during the workshop. I was pleased with how they turned out. They are different and i think that's what makes the idea of this project. The photos could be used to make developments later on through the course. During the making of the workshop i learnt how using different materials and such can create something interesting and different. I think using something like this for next time will be useful.
-Cutting mats
-35mm slides
-Scissors
-Scalpels
-Different jelly coloured papers
-Whole punchers
-Felt tip pins etc
When given these materials we were allowed to cut, stick, move around and play with the different pictures and papers and everything. We all made different decisions on what we would do and how we would plan them, and what we hoped they would turn out to look like. It was difficult to keep everything together when moving it of from the light box into the slides we had to keep them in. I would say i used the Tallis habits; but definitely perseverance the most throughout as it was hard to keep up and keep on going. Below were some of the photograms i managed to make during the workshop. I was pleased with how they turned out. They are different and i think that's what makes the idea of this project. The photos could be used to make developments later on through the course. During the making of the workshop i learnt how using different materials and such can create something interesting and different. I think using something like this for next time will be useful.
Saul Lieter:
Saul Lieter was an American photographer and painter whose early work in the 1940's and 1950's was an important contribution to what came to be recognised as the New York school of photography. When looking at Saul Lieter's photos there's recognition he very much used the same formal elements.
For example in each picture there is a lot of use of form, which is the use of the camera where you use it to made the photo to like a look three dimentional representation. The use of focus has also been played around with, for example he has used some pictures in a very clear focus, on the other hand some are out of focus and more blurred.
In many of his pictures there are a variety of different colours used throughout the photos. Most of the colours are vibrant and make things stand out in the photos, and there is not many dull coloured photographs by Saul.
Throughout the photos as well there is also a lot of different lines and patterns in the photos, some lines are dead straight, whilst others are more curved and diagonal.
As well as this, shapes are also a big thing in the photos, when looking at them there are so many different objects that make unusual shapes, and shadows and the lights that make different shapes.
For example in each picture there is a lot of use of form, which is the use of the camera where you use it to made the photo to like a look three dimentional representation. The use of focus has also been played around with, for example he has used some pictures in a very clear focus, on the other hand some are out of focus and more blurred.
In many of his pictures there are a variety of different colours used throughout the photos. Most of the colours are vibrant and make things stand out in the photos, and there is not many dull coloured photographs by Saul.
Throughout the photos as well there is also a lot of different lines and patterns in the photos, some lines are dead straight, whilst others are more curved and diagonal.
As well as this, shapes are also a big thing in the photos, when looking at them there are so many different objects that make unusual shapes, and shadows and the lights that make different shapes.
Photography is about finding something, and painting is different- it's about making something"
- Saul Leiter
For todays lesson we looked at Saul's photography and we discussed the different elements of things he uses in the photos. For example we talked about how he uses reflection in many of his pictures, and condensation on the walls and glass. We were then asked to go out and take a series of photos that were similar to Saul Lieters. When taking these photos in the lesson i mainly focused on the reflection part of his work, as i thought it would be interesting to play around with, and could get some nice pictures using the different doors around the school to reflect 2 parts of the school. re to edit.
Out of all of the photos we looked at that were taken by Saul Leiter we were asked to use our favourite one and explain why. I personally like this one the best out of all of his work. I think he has taken a simple picture but made it something interesting. The use of how he's used the angle of the camera with the water and how it reflects the lines in the picture. I like it as well as it allows you to use your imagination; it's not obvious of what the white lines are and where they are coming from, so it allows people to use there creative side and come up with their different ideas. It could also be something interesting to have a group discussion with other people and share their theories and ideas on what the lines are, It allows people to compare and share which is a important part when it comes to photography.
Extended writing:
As part of extended writing we were asked to research of a variety of different photographers. We were given a list of photographers that used no focus, or out of focus photos, unusual framing choices, obscured and disrupted views and expressive colour. I decided to pick 1 from each category of the different works, so there would be a range of different photography in each photographers work.
Uta Barth:
No focus and out of focus:
Uta Barth is a contemporary German photographer. She was born in 1958, her work was based around certain themes including perception, optical illusion and non-place.Using her work, Uta brought awareness to the viewers attention to visual information. She uses her work to show vision and perception as its about the failure to see. She explores questions of photographic abstraction, mixing painting reminicent Op art. Uta's work is also known for her blurry backgrounds in most of her photos. She also extends her exploration of light and the nature of vision in photographs that captured the natural sheens, glares and shadows. This is some of her work:
Cristina Coral:
Unusual framing choices:
Cristina is an award-winning photographer based in Italy, specialized in creative and fine art photography. Cristina taught herself her photography work, sh uses her camera as a way of saying things words cannot. Her photography is a way for her to show and express her thoughts, feelings and experiences. Cristina's work is known for the spaces she uses when taking her photos, as her portraits are placed in different places of full silence, her past memories, beauty and dreamlike visions. Here are some of the examples of her work:
John Batho:
Obscured and disrupted views:
John Batho was born in Normandy, France in 1939. He took his own unique approach to colour photography. His work often contained beach umbrellas, swimming pools, children's rides and fairgrounds. John had also taken completely opposite to them objects just mentioned. AS he used a silhouette of someone behind a mirror, that had condensation on it. Some people said those pictures he had taken were strange and un-human like in certain way, however it was unusual and inspiring for some other photographers. As they were different from him previous ideas that were child like ideas.. Here is some of his work: