You may think that abstractions do not promise too much photo potential, but that's where you are wrong.

Shooting abstractions is about textures, forms, colors and their juxtapositions. Forget about the rules you have learned before, use all your creativity and you will be rewarded with a great abstract image. Some of my favorite photographs are non-objective, but the fact is that, like Pablo Picasso used to say, there is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality. But what is the recipe for an interesting abstract picture?

Start with abstract realism. Look for different angles and light that, when combined together, create an image where all scale is lost. The final photograph will not be an illusion but the subject will not be recognizable immediately either. Do not forget to move your legs (not only your zoom), come as close to the subject as your lenses will allow you, or go as far as you can, look up and down all the time to find different points of view, and then...

1. Look for reflections. Reflective surfaces are everywhere, so use the distortions they make to capture crushed forms. Remember that the image in any reflecting surface is as far behind its surface as the subject is in front of it. So, if your subject is one foot from the mirror and you want to keep it and its reflection both in focus, you'll need an aperture that will give you a depth of field of two feet. Set multiple mirrors and play with the depth of field; not everything has to be in focus all the time. Look for other reflective surfaces - glass, water, shiny objects, etc. Try to find a reflection in glass that also allows you to see through it at the same time. You will achieve the best results when the difference in brightness between the subject in front of the glass and the area behind is big; basically, that is when the reflected subject falls against a darker background. You can make distorted images in the curves of a shiny metal plate or other kitchen equipment, so you don't even have to go out to take great abstractions.

Reflections in still bodies of water can be nice but sometimes too realistic, so throw something in the water (do not pollute it though) to create more cracked images or use longer shutter speeds to capture movement of circles of ripples over the reflection. Get some metallic paper, such as mylar and photograph not only reflections it creates but also forms made out of it. Another idea is to circle your subject with a tube of such material or built a tent of different pieces of it to create more dimensional effects.

2. Play with light. Taking abstractions with light is not only looking for unusual natural lights and shadows, but also creating them. Set a black background and try to filter any strong source of light through a piece of cardboard in which you had previously cut out small holes. To get more colorful effect, try to cover some of the holes with gelatin foils of different colors. Also, try to filter light through prisms or deformed glass (you can find them in almost every kitchen). All the mysterious patterns created by these pinpoints and beams of light are results that will surprise you.

Play with moving lights and shadows using long exposure times. Set your ISO low and capture beams of light moving in a frame. Do not forget your tripod to get high quality images. You can also try to zoom your lens over a steady source of light or even move your camera during long exposure. Stroboscopic light is also great method for creating abstract photos. And remember that Barbara Morgan stated that light is the shape and play of a thought and reason for being a photographer.

3. Use intermediates. The use of an intermediate between the camera and the subject can alter reality and create new ways of seeing. Filters, deformed glass, liquids and see through panels can all be used. Try to capture some plants through a prism or glass with bubbles inside. Find an object with a color contrasting to a background and set a see-through panel in half of a frame, which will leave half of a picture unfocused. Or finally use a back light and try to create shadows on a half transparent material, and do not be afraid to use wet baking paper for this purpose!

4. Use special effect tricks. Texturize by placing your object just behind textured glass or plastic (you can find some on a shower door sometimes). You will get the best effects using big, well lit objects with good contrast between themselves and their background. Use double exposure with overlapping and non-overlapping objects and create patterns on the objects with white or black frames and shapes in frames. How to do all of that with a digital camera? And what about mixing medias and taking cameraless images?

Quick tips:
#Don't be afraid to use more time and put your camera on a tripod and play with manual settings, and practice, practice, practice.
#Taking abstract pictures is not hard, but taking fine art abstraction photographs takes time and practice.
#Don't be afraid to mix different techniques.
#Seek inspiration from other artists, and not only photographers; after all, abstraction started as a painting movement.
#Be open to new ideas, experiment, most of the greatest abstractions are results of either error or unusual ideas.
#Remember:

'Abstract' literally means to draw from or separate. In this sense every artist is abstract... a realistic or non-objective approach makes no difference. The result is what counts. - Richard Diebenkorn

Abstract art isn't simply a lack of realism. It's rather a heightened depiction of what the subject really is. - Curtis Verdun

#Check those deviations for inspiration:

















+first features of abstract in square: [link]