In this episode of “The Art of Photography,” Ted Forbes talks about making abstract photos with cameras. He starts by saying that taking pictures with cameras is different from painting or sculpting because photos usually show things as they are. Forbes then looks back to the early 1900s when a scientist accidentally made abstract-looking pictures while studying radiation. He shows images from different times, like when some artists played with mirrors and shadows or when a pilot took interesting photos from high up in the sky.
In the second part, Forbes talks about a few more artists who did more abstract things with cameras, like using double exposures or exploding things for colorful pictures. He explains that making abstract photos can be a bit tricky but also really fun. In the end, Forbes believes it’s important to look at how people have used cameras to make unique and artistic images over time.
Abstract Gallery
Vjeko Sager
Sager is a modern artist who creates the ‘Antimatter’ series, mixing cut paper designs and charcoal drawings. Unlike Francis Bruguière, whose art has strong light and dark elements, Sager’s work is lighter. The paper cuts are mostly in the middle and are short and straight, giving a gentle disruption to the paper, somewhat like models made by architects.
Francis Bruguière
Bruguière, an American photographer who relocated to London in 1928, delved into non-representational photography experimentation. Among his works, the cut-paper abstractions stand out for their captivating beauty and artistic expression.
Jaroslav Rössler
Rössler, a Czech avant-garde photographer, gained fame for blending various modern photography styles like cubism, futurism, constructivism, new objectivity, and abstraction. His pictures simplified images into basic lines and shapes, playing with light and dark contrasts. He also tried out different techniques, such as photograms and double exposures, in his experimental photography.
Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed, a photographer, acknowledges influences from both Rössler and Bruguière in his work. His method of objectively documenting visual effects may stem from his earlier career as a scientist, highlighting a connection between his scientific background and his analytical approach to photography.
Brendan Austin
Brendan Austin crafts make-believe landscapes using crumpled paper, naming them ‘Paper Mountains.’ Through his art, he explores the concept of nature and human influence on it. The images, depicting isolated desert cities, volcanic-like environments, and paper mountains, aim to spark conversations about the loss of meaning and reality. Despite the landscapes being recognizable, there’s a hint of artificiality, showcasing how simple materials can convey significant messages.
Tamara Lorenz
Tamara Lorenz, a German artist, makes constructions and captures them in photos to highlight their abstract qualities. Using vibrant blocks of color, she adds another layer of contrast to elements like line, shape, tone, and texture. Her images don’t represent specific objects; instead, they craft unique realities, preventing viewers from identifying a conventional subject and encouraging them to engage in the act of observation.
James Welling
In the series titled ‘Abstract Photographs,’ the images may look like sheets of paper but are actually crafted from filo (phyllo) pastry dough. The artist, Welling, describes the process as intuitive experimentation. Initially working with draped cloth and crumpled shards of dry phyllo dough separately, Welling eventually combined the two, creating images that resemble torn book pages or geological debris against a dark backdrop. Welling has also explored using unconventional materials like tinfoil, gelatin, and ceramic tiles in his artistic experiments.
Quote Inspiration
“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”
– Ansel Adams
In my paper abstraction project, Ansel Adams’ words, “There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer,” offer valuable guidance. As I explore paper manipulation for my images, think about the unique roles of both the creator and the audience. The task involves shaping compositions to convey my vision, while also considering how my abstract creations can invite shared experiences for viewers. I would possibly try to engage my audience, encouraging them to interpret the lines, shapes, and textures in my paper creation. This quote shows the dynamic relationship between the artist and the audience, urging me to create abstract works that connect and resonate with both me and also the viewer.
My Understanding of abstraction in photography
Abstraction in photography means taking pictures that don’t show things exactly as they are. Instead, it highlights shapes, colors, lines, and textures, moving away from showing reality as how it is. This style makes photographers concentrate on the subject as a whole, not its tiny details. By playing with light, framing, or using unusual materials, photographers can make abstract images that spark feelings and let people imagine more. Abstraction in photography lets artists go beyond regular ways of showing things and makes viewers think creatively and interestingly.
Project Brief
What can you do with a single sheet of paper? How can you make a familiar object look unique and memorable?
My Idea:
I was looking to recreate “The Last Supper”
Italian: Il Cenacolo – Leonardo da Vinci.
I thought creating a paper abstract version of a High Renaissance historical period in time would give a new view to the already amazing piece of artwork.
I am going to try for a minimalist look, with all subjects in the painting being turned into almost strips of paper. Using shadows and lights and reflections, I will hopefully be able to have depth and create some nice contrasts between the paper and the shadows I want to appear.
Sketch
This was my sketch, and I’m going to use this as a reference when making/designing the paper.
A lot of what is in the sketch will be created using reflections and shadows, such as the Halo, Crosses, and the division between the top and bottom of the composition.
My First Shoot
What Went Well?
I think I have managed to capture the details of the different shapes within the paper, lighting it so that the background is dark and allowing for a mellow amount of light to hit the paper.
I have captured the paper from different angles to try to create a more abstract look, making it more difficult to decipher what it is.
What Could I Improve on?
I think lighting would be something I should work on for my next shoot, As the paper has a lot of detail already, I would need to create more intricate shadows and lighting by positioning the studio light in different places.
This could include Lighting from Top to Bottom and vice versa, this would create a more dissonant feel to the paper so the abstraction effect of the picture would be greater.
I will be trying this for my next shoot.
Also diverging from this concept will help me expand on different ideas, helping me create stronger compositions.
So for my next shoot, I may include or fully embrace not continuing on my previous concept
Shoot 2
What did I do?
For this shoot I decided to use diffeent colours of light when taking my pictures.
To achieve this I did long exposure shots, so that I could use an LED light stick to change the colour of the light to create some interesting pictures.
By changing the colour of the light It gives contrast between the different folds and sharp edges in the paper.
What Went Well?
I believe I’ve successfully photographed the intricate shapes on the paper by lighting it with different colours to show the difference in depth between some folds and bends of the paper. I took pictures from various angles to give it an abstract appearance, making it challenging to figure out what it is. I also have taken these pictures using long exposure, this in my eyes has shown I can use various techniques to create a composition im happy with.
What Could I Improve On?
Due to the long exposure, I accidentally left the light stick in various positions for too long, so you can see a faint outline of it. This isn’t a big issue, but if I were to do this again I would improve on that.
I also think making sure my background is dark at all times is something I should improve on. I like the contrast between the light subject and a dark background, However, during the shoot when changing colours of the light and moving it into different positions it caused me to bleed some unwanted light to the background.