3 Abstract Attempts

[judyg0313]

Here are my first three tries at abstract. Please give me some insight into whether these even qualify as abstact and what direction I should be taking. Thanks for your comments.

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[judyg0313]

Ok, I've had viewers but no comments. I take that as being a bad sign. So I'll delete these and go try again...Thanks.

[Kaye]

Hi Judy,
I think many members including myself find it difficult to comment on abstracts. It has also been a little quiet on the forums just recently. IMO, I would class 2 and 3 as abstract.
Probably my pick of these two would be the second shot. I could envisage these with a bit more vibrance/contrast. Please don't delete them as you may get other opinions.

I know it is difficult to find a really interesting subject for an abstract shot. I have often used late afternoon reflections on water as abstract, or a close up of patterns on a shell just as a couple of examples.
Not sure if this helps you much.

[shirlm2]

Hi Judy
I too have difficulty commenting on abstracts. I think the last is along the right lines but IMO it seems to lack a focal point. I think it might also help to implement one of the composition rules more strongly. These are just my opinions as i too find abstracts difficult.

[judyg0313]

Hi Judy,
I think many members including myself find it difficult to comment on abstracts. It has also been a little quiet on the forums just recently. IMO, I would class 2 and 3 as abstract.
Probably my pick of these two would be the second shot. I could envisage these with a bit more vibrance/contrast. Please don't delete them as you may get other opinions.

I know it is difficult to find a really interesting subject for an abstract shot. I have often used late afternoon reflections on water as abstract, or a close up of patterns on a shell just as a couple of examples.
Not sure if this helps you much.

Thanks Kaye. Yes it does help. And to be honest, I don't like any of the three. I don't get them even though I took them. Does that make sense. But I need to hear some opinions I think to get my bearing on what I'm looking for. These three are really just a close up of something. Not an abstract. I've been doing a lot of research and will try another shot at abstract. I'll post them too. Thanks for commenting.

[judyg0313]

Hi Judy
I too have difficulty commenting on abstracts. I think the last is along the right lines but IMO it seems to lack a focal point. I think it might also help to implement one of the composition rules more strongly. These are just my opinions as i too find abstracts difficult. I am glad to know that abstract is difficult for more than just myself. I agree with you that they lack a focal point. I'll work harder on my composition and see what I can come up with...

[jimboudreaux]

Judy, just a though... try reshooting the crystal orb with a solid color behind it. I use poster board a lot. I also keep a book of mutli-colored sheets of construction paper around for such things. I don't really know if that would be a great "abstract" shot or not, but I think it could be a really cool shot anyway.

[judyg0313]

Judy, just a though... try reshooting the crystal orb with a solid color behind it. I use poster board a lot. I also keep a book of mutli-colored sheets of construction paper around for such things. I don't really know if that would be a great "abstract" shot or not, but I think it could be a really cool shot anyway.

Thanks Jim. I will try that because I think it would be too. I have pretty much ruled these out. I have gone through the internet reading and studying abstract and even though these could be made to look more abstract it isn't what I'm looking for. I'll try the color behind it. It may be a solution but I am still working on my abstract and will post a few more soon. thanks for the comments...I so appreciate this as I am learning more and more from each comment.

[stephaniespencer]

Im not a big fan on any of these, if i had to choose the best one id choose the 2nd one. When taking an abstract photo get up nice and close so that people cannot tell what it is. :cool:

[judyg0313]

Im not a big fan on any of these, if i had to choose the best one id choose the 2nd one. When taking an abstract photo get up nice and close so that people cannot tell what it is. :cool:

Thanks Stephanie. I agree. Neither of these are really abstract. And I've been really studying abstract photographys on the internet as well as reading. I've two ideas I'm trying to perfect and will put them on. I hope you will comment on them also. Thanks so much. I'm getting closer...

[Bambe]

for me there are two types of abstracts:
Type 1- a shot of an object taken in such a way as to make the subject mysterious or unknown. The purpose is to show the texture or some other quality. For example I took this of some woods and moved the camera up and down while the shutter was pressed:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5233119760_bdd922cd0c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5233119760/)
abstract trees 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5233119760/) by bambe1964 (http://www.flickr.com/people/bambe1964/), on Flickr
or this was a straight b&w conversion and then pushing the contrast:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/5769639581_cfd8051aeb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5769639581/)
after the apocolypse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5769639581/) by bambe1964 (http://www.flickr.com/people/bambe1964/), on Flickr

Type 2- a shot of an object is then altered in post. This is my preference and I often refer to it as fingerpainting:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5670902834_6a03e8e289_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5670902834/)
white flames (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5670902834/) by bambe1964 (http://www.flickr.com/people/bambe1964/), on Flickr
in this case the original is not evident at all:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5671880763_1f10c25f31_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5671880763/)
crystal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bambe1964/5671880763/) by bambe1964 (http://www.flickr.com/people/bambe1964/), on Flickr

now feel free to totally disregard what I'm going to tell you because I am no expert by anyone's yardstick but here's my take on abstract:
1. you must have a sense of what you want people to see. if you take a close up of something make sure that you know what you think is so cool about it and then figure out how to show it.
2. the rules of good photography still apply- this refers to such rules as the ROT, leading lines, balance, etc.
3. have fun. it's all about the fun
4. don't be afraid to experiment- play with the curves tool, push the contrast, try those funky filters that come with your program and/or add some plugins.
5. work in layers as much as possible. I make a layer, try something, if I like it- I duplicate and then play further. that way you can backtrack and you can also get really fun effects by playing the various transparencies.

now for yours- they are a start but I would do more with them. or you can discard and start again. I think what's missing is that there's no subject or something to catch and hold the eye.

[judyg0313]

now for yours- they are a start but I would do more with them. or you can discard and start again. I think what's missing is that there's no subject or something to catch and hold the eye.[/QUOTE]\

Thanks so much. I have been really reading and studying others abstract. Your expanation is marvelous. And I appreciate you posting pictures with explanations. I did post another abstract called Flower Burst. I'd love your comments on it...Thanks so much...

[Bambe]

you are welcome Judy. We all start somewhere and then move forward. Feedback is a good way to begin...

[judyg0313]

you are welcome Judy. We all start somewhere and then move forward. Feedback is a good way to begin...

You are so correct. Feedback helps me so much.