what is abstraction?
Abstraction is basic characters of a photograph which should be included. Calling a photograph 'abstract' isn't as bad as it seems, the photo can be interesting and also be abstract at the same time. An abstract photo can just be a simple picture of something, which might have a twist. It could be edited or changed to make the photograph more unique.
formal elements
The formal elements of photography are the main elements of a photography. The formal elements of a photograph is what makes it interesting, it changes the photograph in different ways, with light, shape, lines, etc. Every photograph has the formal elements in them whether it's loads or very little.
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photo analyse
Focus:
The areas that are the shadows. The table is in the shadows and isn't as sharp as the shadows.
Light:
The areas of the photo which are the brightest is where the light is shining. The shadows are sharp and dark which implicates it is artificial light or a bright sunny day. The light is harsh and direct on the table, causing a dramatic effect.
Line:
The lines in the photography are straight and thick but the table contrasts those lines with thin curvy lines. The lines go in opposite directions causing a clear contrast in them. The lines are sharp which causes a powerful energy.
Repetition:
The lines all follow the same sense of direction, creating a pattern for them. Some lines form to make a different pattern or shape.
Shape:
I see geometric shapes in the photograph which has been created by the light. There are many shapes, such as, rectangles and triangles.
Space:
The photograph seems shallow because it has lots of empty contrasting space. There aren't any whole subjects in the photograph which causes the photograph the be shallow and have lots of empty space.
Texture:
If I could touch the surface of the photograph, I think it would feel smooth because the table looks light and smooth.
Value/Tone:
There are a range of tones in the photograph, a clear contrast between the light and dark spaces. The darkest spaces are the edges of the table in the background. The lightest spaces are where the light is shining though and causing a pattern to appear in the image.
The areas that are the shadows. The table is in the shadows and isn't as sharp as the shadows.
Light:
The areas of the photo which are the brightest is where the light is shining. The shadows are sharp and dark which implicates it is artificial light or a bright sunny day. The light is harsh and direct on the table, causing a dramatic effect.
Line:
The lines in the photography are straight and thick but the table contrasts those lines with thin curvy lines. The lines go in opposite directions causing a clear contrast in them. The lines are sharp which causes a powerful energy.
Repetition:
The lines all follow the same sense of direction, creating a pattern for them. Some lines form to make a different pattern or shape.
Shape:
I see geometric shapes in the photograph which has been created by the light. There are many shapes, such as, rectangles and triangles.
Space:
The photograph seems shallow because it has lots of empty contrasting space. There aren't any whole subjects in the photograph which causes the photograph the be shallow and have lots of empty space.
Texture:
If I could touch the surface of the photograph, I think it would feel smooth because the table looks light and smooth.
Value/Tone:
There are a range of tones in the photograph, a clear contrast between the light and dark spaces. The darkest spaces are the edges of the table in the background. The lightest spaces are where the light is shining though and causing a pattern to appear in the image.
Paul strand drawing
- The whole photograph is clear and in focus. The photographer has used the shadow of the paper to create a clear contrast between the background and the subject of the image. The lines in the photograph are curvy and straight. They are connected in one line. The shapes in the photo are all organic shapes. The photo looks shallow because of the angle it has been taken at. The surface would feel sharp because the paper edge is sharp. There are only two clear tones in the photo, they are light and dark/shadow.
Abstract photographs
My most successful photographThis photograph is my favourite because it has an interesting composition and it uses the formal elements to frame the photograph and make in different and unique. It uses light and texture to frame the photograph and the subject of the photo. It gives a clear frame for the clouds which are the subject of the photograph.
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formal element photographs
For this task, we had to take photos by using/finding the formal elements.
www:I successfully took photos which have the formal elements in them and are clearly displayed in the photograph. There is lots of line and repetition in the photos which is good use of the formal elements.
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ebi:I could've taken more interesting photographs, maybe if it was a sunny day the reflections and shadows would be more clear and add more depth to the photos.
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most successful photographThis is my most successful photograph because it uses two of the formal elements, light and line. The reflection of the rail gives more line and depth to the photograph and adds the light formal element into it, you can see the light of the building which contrasts the dark floor and framing of the window and walkway.
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formal elements
evaluation
How was it to take images in this way?
It was difficult to take pictures this way because I am used to taking photos of objects and not focusing on one formal element.
What did you do differently?
I focused one or two formal elements and tried to take photos with those formal elements in mind rather than photographing objects I photographed parts of the objects.
What was the end result?
The end result produced lots of good photographs which focus on the formal elements and I was able to experiment with different formal elements.
Which formal elements have you captured?
I have used the formal elements line, colour and focus in my photographs.
Why is the photographs that you have taken abstract?
I think they are abstract because they focus on one thing and you can't tell what the photograph is taken of.
What do you think of the photographs?
I like my photographs because I think they captured the formal elements better than the first set of photographs.
It was difficult to take pictures this way because I am used to taking photos of objects and not focusing on one formal element.
What did you do differently?
I focused one or two formal elements and tried to take photos with those formal elements in mind rather than photographing objects I photographed parts of the objects.
What was the end result?
The end result produced lots of good photographs which focus on the formal elements and I was able to experiment with different formal elements.
Which formal elements have you captured?
I have used the formal elements line, colour and focus in my photographs.
Why is the photographs that you have taken abstract?
I think they are abstract because they focus on one thing and you can't tell what the photograph is taken of.
What do you think of the photographs?
I like my photographs because I think they captured the formal elements better than the first set of photographs.
I think this is my most successful photograph because it uses three of the formal elements in one photograph. The formal elements that I used were focus, line and colour. I think the photo is abstract because you can't tell what I took a photograph of, you can only see the line, colour and focus in it. I like this photo because it is different and interesting to look at and figure out what is it.
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collages evaulation
The composition for all of the images are simple and abstract. They are abstract images because they use the formal elements in the composition. I assembled them using old, unused or failed photograms. I took inspiration from Patrick Lears by experimenting with different compositions and formal elements. I think these images turned out well because they successfully used the formal elements in each of the collages. Next time, I would try to change the composition slightly because the first one, I would want to think more about the composition and add colour to it. And the other two ended up having a similar composition to each other. Once I practise more with the abstract concept and experiment with the formal elements more, I think they will look more abstract and will look better.
abstract photographs
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ebi: |
I think I used the formal elements well in my photographs and made a good set of abstract photographs. They are improved from my first set of photographs I took at home.
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Next time, I think I need to spend more time thinking about angles and lighting to make the photographs more interesting and abstract.
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patrick lears
about patrick lears' work
Patrick Lears has worked as a photographer for a while. He had accumulated a pile of black and white prints - most prints had been badly exposed or developed and he didn't throw them out. He started to cut them up and conjured a new piece of work when he created a composition with them. They usually take form of a collage or assemblage although sometimes they are a gesture that is only formalised in a photograph. His most recent works involve clay and sculpture and they take a similar approach, but chance plays a significant role.
writing about patrick lears work
I would call this image a collage rather than a photogram. It is combined with photograms but isn't a photogram itself.
I would describe it as monochrome and abstract. It focuses on the formal elements and creates a contrast with them.
I think the image was created by collaging old, failed photograms together, arranging and cutting them to create its own composition. I think this because of the clean cut lines and the over and under exposed photographs in the collage which are combined and blend into each other.
I think the composition is good because it creates a clear contrast between the images. There are contrasts between the black and white, monochrome photograms and the coloured photographs and paper.
The use of colour is used in a clever way to make the photograph more interesting and create a confusion in the subject of the photograph. The colour is placed on the outskirts of the photo to divert your attention and make it more interesting.
The use of text and absence is used to frame the photograph and make you focus on the colour and the main subject of the photograph.
I would describe the overall look of the image as simple and contrasting. The composition is simple but the contrast of the monochrome and colour and high and low contrast makes the photograph appealing to the eye.
I find this image inspiring because it inspires me to create my own collages and experiment with different mediums of abstract photography.
I would describe it as monochrome and abstract. It focuses on the formal elements and creates a contrast with them.
I think the image was created by collaging old, failed photograms together, arranging and cutting them to create its own composition. I think this because of the clean cut lines and the over and under exposed photographs in the collage which are combined and blend into each other.
I think the composition is good because it creates a clear contrast between the images. There are contrasts between the black and white, monochrome photograms and the coloured photographs and paper.
The use of colour is used in a clever way to make the photograph more interesting and create a confusion in the subject of the photograph. The colour is placed on the outskirts of the photo to divert your attention and make it more interesting.
The use of text and absence is used to frame the photograph and make you focus on the colour and the main subject of the photograph.
I would describe the overall look of the image as simple and contrasting. The composition is simple but the contrast of the monochrome and colour and high and low contrast makes the photograph appealing to the eye.
I find this image inspiring because it inspires me to create my own collages and experiment with different mediums of abstract photography.
photobook images
why did i pick these photos?
I picked these photographs because they're the best abstract photographs I've taken. You cannot figure out what the photographs are of, you can just see the different formal elements.
photograms
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ebi: |
I think the photograms turned out well and look interesting. The items have clear detail and outline in them which also help to frame the photograph.
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The first one could've been less exposed and it could be clearer. I also could've changed the items and added more variety into the photograph.
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Abstract photographs
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ebi: |
I think the photos look abstract and I used the formal elements to make the photographs look interesting. I am used to using the formal elements now and can successfully make photos using them.
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Some photos look more abstract than others and I think I need to use the formal elements I don’t use often. I use light, line and focus. I need to start used tone, texture, repetition, etc.
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Dafna Talmor Research
The photo is cut up and distorted the way we see it. There are rocky hills all over the photo, specifically on the right hand side and in the middle of the image. We can also see the ocean and sky in the left side corners and in the middle of the photo. There is empty, black space in between the different parts of the photograph which split the pieces of image apart and add an interesting composition to the image.
The title 'constructed landscapes' suggests that the photos were made by taking multiple photographs and cutting them up and reorganising them to create a new composition and a new image of a new landscape which the artist has created. |
The artist might have pieced together photographs from different locations because it creates an interesting composition and adds depth to the photograph. It makes the image stand out more and intrigue people to decode it and find out what the photograph was originally taken of.
The spaces of Talmor’s photographs do not need to be identified, precisely because they take as their subject not a place that we can distance ourselves from, but somewhere larger, beyond place: a landscape always already constructed and contested, that we are part of, whatever our connection to it.
constructed landscapes with dafna talmor
During the workshop, we used Dafna Talmor's practice and used what she told us about it to make our own and put the technique to use. The thing that intrigued me about the way she works is how long it takes her to make a single slide. It takes her a few days to make one because she takes a few days to think about the piece and refine it before she finishes it.
The materials and resources we used were 35mm slides, negatives, cutting mats, scalpels, light-boxes, scissors, tape, pens, tissue paper, acetate, projector (to see our work).
I collected negatives I wanted to use for my work and cut them up using a scalpel and scissors on the cutting mat. Then, I stuck the different pieces of negatives and tissue paper together in a composition I liked, with tape. After, I put it on the light-box to check if I placed it correctly and put it in a slide. Finally, I put it in the projector and looked over my work and see how I could refine it and improve the next one. The decisions I made were what was the composition going to be and the different slides I wanted to use. The thing I found difficult was the composition. It was hard to try and place the pieces where I wanted them and how I wanted them to go. I also found the cutting difficult to do. It was difficult to cut the small areas precisely and I ended up over lining a few lines. I think I used the Tallis habit, imaginative and persistence. I was very imaginative when creating the composition of my slides. I was persistent when sticking through the difficulties of the making of the composition of the slide.
The materials and resources we used were 35mm slides, negatives, cutting mats, scalpels, light-boxes, scissors, tape, pens, tissue paper, acetate, projector (to see our work).
I collected negatives I wanted to use for my work and cut them up using a scalpel and scissors on the cutting mat. Then, I stuck the different pieces of negatives and tissue paper together in a composition I liked, with tape. After, I put it on the light-box to check if I placed it correctly and put it in a slide. Finally, I put it in the projector and looked over my work and see how I could refine it and improve the next one. The decisions I made were what was the composition going to be and the different slides I wanted to use. The thing I found difficult was the composition. It was hard to try and place the pieces where I wanted them and how I wanted them to go. I also found the cutting difficult to do. It was difficult to cut the small areas precisely and I ended up over lining a few lines. I think I used the Tallis habit, imaginative and persistence. I was very imaginative when creating the composition of my slides. I was persistent when sticking through the difficulties of the making of the composition of the slide.
The images I made are abstract because the main image is obstructed by other images and obstructs the view which means you cannot see what the image is originally taken of. This makes them abstract. I like the way there is a frame around the main focus on the image. I learnt that it takes time to make a slide and that it takes a lot of time and precision to make one. I might edit them digitally to enhance the lines and colours which are in them. I could use this process in the the future to make more slides with my own photos and improve my technique and understanding of the process.
abstraction photobook
Saul Leiter
5 Characteristics that define Leiter's work are:
- Rain - He uses rain a lot to add definition to his photographs
- Focus - Some parts of his photographs are out of focus which adds to the photograph
- Reflection - He uses the reflections from windows to take photographs and frame them.
- Colour - Some photographs are in black and white but most have colour or one spot of colour.
- Street - He takes most of his photographs on the street.
I chose this image because it contains all five of the characteristics that define Leiter's work. The thing that is surprising about this photograph is the composition. The way the condensation on the window frames the man and the writing on the window, which you can't read, makes the photo look mysterious and scary. One formal elements that I think is important in this photograph is colour. I think is important because it adds to the photo and brings attention to the man, which is the man focus of the photograph. The yellow van behind the man emphasises him and his face. If the photograph was in black and white it wouldn't be as effective because you wouldn't be drawn to it and the photo would blend together. Saul Leiter's photographs are abstract because they use the formal elements effectively and constantly. He uses colour and focus in almost every photograph which is why they are the main characteristics of his work.
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Photography is about finding things.
And painting is different - it's about making something.
I chose this quotation because it shows the difference between art and photograph. It shows how photography and painting can be combined to make art, and how separately they are two completely different mediums. Leiter did both photograph and painting. This shows us how he felt about the two different art mediums. It says photography is about capturing something which is already there and painting is about creating something new. Also, his photographs look like paintings because of the soft colours and out of focus composition.
My reponse
www:I was able to take photographs which I think embodied Leiter's characteristics well. I was able to use colour and focus which are two of the characteristics Saul Leiter uses.
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ebi:I didn't have enough time to take photographs, so I couldn't experiment with the photograph taking and Saul Leiter's techniques.
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www: I think I was able to display Saul Leiter's work well and I was able to take lots of photographs. I was able to use Saul Leiter's characteristics like colour and reflection.
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ebi:I could've tried to find different way to take photos because they're repetitive and boring. I could've tried to use some more of Saul Leiter's photo characteristics.
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I was able to use one of the formal elements that Saul Leiter uses. The formal element I used is colour.
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I could've focused more and taken more time when taking my photographs. I also ended up using 3 of the formal elements because of this.
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www:I was able to focus on one of the formal elements.
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ebi: |
Saul Leiter video notes.
- He has photographed the same neighbourhood for 55 years.
- He has shot with the same light and style since 2011.
- He's been described as a pioneer by some people.
- He likes to take his time when doing his work.
- He takes pictures because he enjoys catching certain moments.
Akihiko miyoshi
Akihiko Miyoshi uses bright colours to distort his images. He uses similar photographs each time but finds a different way to change them and make them into their own photo.
In this image, we can see Miyoshi behind the camera, but he is blocked by brightly coloured confetti. The image uses a range of formal elements, like, colour, reflection, focus and repetition. He uses the same strings of colour to distort the image. The use of reflection is used so we can see the photographer and his camera and make them the main subject. Although he uses focus interestingly because in the image the only thing in focus is the photographer himself, which would make him seem like the main subject, but we cannot see him because of what’s happening in front of him. Miyoshi uses a similar theme throughout his work, using similar images and distorting them in similar ways but all of if photos are still unique and different.
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