A Guide to Abstract Photography

Abstract Photography: What Is It and What Do You Need for It?

Tell a story with colours and lines: just like paintings, photos can also be abstract. This is called abstract photography. But how do you create a beautiful interplay of abstract shapes and colours without a painter’s palette and brush? We’re happy to help you get started!

Beautiful photos come in all shapes and sizes. Of course, you can take pictures of an impressive castle, create a portrait with special lighting, or photograph products for a webshop. Although product, portrait, and landscape photography may look completely different, they have one thing in common: they focus on a recognisable subject. With abstract photography, that is not the case.

But how do you create such a unique abstract photo with original shapes, colours, or lines? In this article, you’ll discover everything about what abstract photography is, the different types, and what you need to create the ideal abstract photo.

What Is Abstract Photography?

If you want to fully understand abstract photography, be sure to start by looking at some inspirational examples. Below, you’ll find five great examples of what an abstract photo can look like: graphic and unrecognisable. Are you a true creative? Then abstract photography is definitely for you!

Abstract photography is also referred to as non-objective, experimental, or conceptual photography. That’s not surprising, as you photograph only certain aspects of an object, building, or landscape. This allows you to tell a unique story while still maintaining an element of mystery.

Where Do We Commonly See Abstract Photography?

Abstract photos are ideal for conveying a certain atmosphere. That’s why they are often used on websites, posters, or as screensavers for computers and smartphones. If you create a truly striking image, it can be used in many different ways!

Types of Abstract Photography

But what types of abstract photography are there? As you’ve already seen, the example photos all look very different. While one focuses on perspective, another uses movement and colour. The subjects also vary. Would you like to create a special abstract photo? Consider nature, architecture, or art. Below, we explain more about abstract architectural photography, abstract art photography, and abstract photography in nature.

Abstract Architectural Photography

Photographing architecture is already a fascinating activity in itself. It allows you to capture the character of a particular building, area, or country. Naturally, you may want to photograph an impressive large building in its entirety, but that’s not necessary. Abstract architectural photography offers a much more unique perspective.

Below, you can see several examples of abstract photos of remarkable buildings. As you’ll notice, the buildings are almost unrecognisable. Instead, you capture the unique, abstract aspects of the architecture. Abstract architectural photography often focuses on sharp images based on distinctive lines within the structure.

Abstract Art Photography

Abstract photography is, of course, an art form in itself. When we talk about abstract art photography, we often mean abstract photography in general. However, you can also photograph physical abstract artwork in an abstract way, or use objects and lighting to create your own abstract art in the form of a photograph. You can see examples of this type of abstract art photography below.

In this category, the possibilities are virtually endless: from ultra-sharp, vibrant photos to blurred images captured with a long shutter speed. You can make abstract art photography as bold or as minimalist as you like!

Abstract Photography in Nature

You don’t need man-made subjects to create a beautiful abstract photo. In fact, photographing nature in an abstract way often results in truly unique images. The distinctive character of abstract nature photography is immediately visible in the examples below.

By zooming in or out on specific elements, you can capture the beauty of our planet in a highly original way. And it doesn’t always have to be highly detailed. Unlike the sharpness often seen in abstract architectural photography, nature photography is also a great opportunity to experiment with focus and depth.

Want to Get Started with Abstract Photography? Here’s What You Need!

As you can see, the possibilities within abstract photography are endless! Would you like to give it a try yourself? Then think in advance about the type of photos you want to create. Are you aiming for soft light effects, or do you want to capture razor-sharp natural wonders? What you need and how you approach it largely depends on your preferred photographic style.

Choose the Right Lens

In principle, you can create abstract photos with any camera. After all, anything goes in conceptual photography! However, your choice of lens is extremely important. As you can see, many photographers working in this style opt for extreme close-ups or very zoomed-out compositions. Does that appeal to you? A macro lens allows you to capture stunning images of small details, while a telephoto lens is essential when photographing from a greater distance. Want a truly unique perspective from above the clouds? Then a drone could be a fun addition to experiment with.

A manual focus lens is also very useful. When creating an abstract photo, you’ll often think carefully about how sharp you want each part of the image to be. With this type of lens, you can adjust everything manually.

Use a Special Lens Filter

Our world is full of fascinating details, shapes, and colours. There’s already plenty to work with! Want even more creative possibilities? Then a filter can help. For example, add a colour filter, effect filter, or close-up filter to your lens. Still not abstract enough? A fisheye lens can create an extra distinctive shape within your image.

Use a Tripod for the Perfect Shot

For certain images, especially when you need to keep your camera completely still, a tripod is extremely useful. It gives you more freedom to experiment with abstract photography. A stabiliser can also provide a little extra support.

Need Help Finding the Right Camera Accessories?

Creating your very first abstract photo can be exciting. After all, do you really have the right camera? It often takes some time before you fully understand how everything works best. At Kamera Express, we have extensive expertise in all kinds of cameras and camera accessories. Feel free to contact us for advice on the equipment you need to create your ideal photo.