26 May 2022
A component of the Year 9 and 10 elective Digital Photography – An Introduction is to look at abstract photography. This is a method of expressing ideas and emotions via a photographic image, without the intention of creating a traditional or realistic image. By avoiding and going beyond the usual representations of an object or scene, it reveals details that often go unnoticed, thereby triggering the viewer’s imagination.
A good abstract photo always has a clear, structural design. A great deal of thought goes into the order, placement and balance between shapes, patterns, textures, and even colours within an abstract image. These factors greatly affect the visual weight of the photo, establish and complement the point of interest, and influence how viewers look at it. A well-composed photo uses these visual elements to achieve a common goal and output. Such images can then be further abstracted using post-editing techniques.
During the excursion, students were encouraged to use the compositional techniques learnt in Term 1 to capture photographic imagery which led the viewer to question the subject matter. The Botanic gardens is a fantastic source for such an assignment, with the boys capturing both man made and natural forms. Back in the classroom, they used Adobe Photoshop to enhance the abstract qualities of their work. As you can see, the results are outstanding and would not appear incongruous in a formal Art gallery setting.
Adele Turner and Scott Russell
Arts Faculty