Abstract Photo Exhibition Network
What is abstract photography?
Official definition of abstract arts goes (according Wikipedia) somehow this like: "Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which exists independently of visual references to the world."
But what is your own opinion and definition for abstract photography? It would be interesting to hear...so just write it here! Please :)
Ari
But what is your own opinion and definition for abstract photography? It would be interesting to hear...so just write it here! Please :)
Ari
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ari Rapo on -
How about wabi-sabi? Have wabi-sabi some kind of relation with abstract? What do you think?
More about it from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi
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Permalink Reply by Nanette Breer on -
Well, to me it is anything that i have changed. I work in photoshop, acrylics and digital media. So it is abstract to me if i have done a manipulation of the original data. To me binary data is the way!!!
Nan
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Permalink Reply by David L. Crooks on -
I also belong to the Abstract group on Flickr.com. Here are there rules:
NO heavy software editing.
NO heavy hardware editing. (abstracts created in the darkroom are not accepted)
NO photos of abstract paintings ( e.g., simple documents of an existing abstraction are not abstract ).
NO photos of art installations/sculptures ( ditto ).
NO superimposed signatures or copyrights ( use meta data please ).
NO elaborate borders or frames.
NO people.
NO pornography - if it qualifies as porn, it can't be abstract as well. If you have to ask, you're definitely in the wrong place.
They are pretty strict on what is abstract and what is not. From an overview the of photos I have seen here, I don't think that many would pass on Flickr Abstract group.
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Permalink Reply by David L. Crooks on
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No, from what I understand about wabi-sabi is that it is something imperfect. One way I think of abstact as shapes, lines, and shadows to where you can't tell what is the originial object. YMMV
Ari Rapo said:How about wabi-sabi? Have wabi-sabi some kind of relation with abstract? What do you think?
More about it from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi
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Permalink Reply by Ari Rapo on
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Thank you, David and Nanette for information and continuing discussion. :)
David, you are right, these rules of Flickr's abstract group definitely are quite strict. If I think my own production, I have very heavy software manipulation in some my photos. Also human as a target would limit quite many pictures away.
These ideas would be important ideas for to to develope community:
Software and hardware manipulation is allowed.
Any manner to manipulate binary data is allowed.
Creative experiment is highly recommended.
Human items are allowed.
Artworks for the exhibition should be somehow photography based.
Pornography is not allowed.
What do you think guys?
But we have here two sides: official Exhibition 2008 and everybodys free area where are no limits. We can start the discussion about the exhibition side. Who will be voluntary (with me) to join the jury?
Ari
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Permalink Reply by Ari Rapo on
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I think, when we define concept 'abstract photo' or 'abstract photography', the most relevant thing is not what we see at the image. If that would be the only way to define abstract, there are not many real pure abstract photos. Photography's essential feature is to show existing and photograph is always some kind of visualization of reality. So the most important thing is how we see and what kind of thinking process it generates. Even if the image is strict representation of its target, it can be abstract. So there is two levels, first is the surface of the image (what is the physical representation) and the other is the deeper dimension (what is the mental representation).
Well, that is what i think right now, maybe tomorrow i have some other ideas... :D
Let's continue the discussion, this is interesting! :)
regards Ari
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Permalink Reply by Tapani J on -
Can there be a private language? Can there be private pictures? So private than only the creator understands them? Philopsopfical solipsism says "My mind is the only thing that I know exists." How far can we go to explore new worlds that never existed? How abstract we can go? Can we ever be independent from real world?
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Permalink Reply by Ari Rapo on
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Hi Tapani, i think you just hit the relevant point! I agree:) Ari
Tapani J said:Can there be a private language? Can there be private pictures? So private than only the creator understands them? Philopsopfical solipsism says "My mind is the only thing that I know exists." How far can we go to explore new worlds that never existed? How abstract we can go? Can we ever be independent from real world?
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Permalink Reply by maryse on -
in japan wabi sabi is not only refering to things or crafts but mood, or even lifestyle, how you set a table ect... if this is to do with abstract, than life can be abstract at times and photos often express that feeling or perception.
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Permalink Reply by redcoyote on -
Definitely I think wabi sabi can relate to the abstract, whether it be abstract photography, other art or even thought. I don't like the wikipedia definition of wabi sabi though.... In my community, we have a non-profit, community supported thrift store (with two locations) that is named Wabi Sabi. Here is their definition & idea of that:
The name "WabiSabi" comes from the combined Japanese ideas of austere refinement and quiet simplicity. It is the WabiSabi belief that beauty lies in the imperfection that surrounds us, that new is not necessarily nicer, and that our discards could very well be our salvation.
I like that one better ;o) and more specifically:
Wabi - austere refinement - A frame of mind in which spiritual richness can be found in the simple and tranquil. This mentality forms an important basis of the traditional tea ceremony.
Sabi - quiet simplicity - A poetic ideal fostered by Basho in haiku in which profound meaning can be found in the detached and the dispassionate. Evocations of sabi in paintings are found in scenes of desolation.
I only wish I could also make the Japanese characters as well, they are lovely.
To define abstract however, requires us to define reality......can anyone REALLY do that? I'm certain I would never be involved in the flickr abstract group that David mentioned. There are already too many ways in this world that we are made to fit into a box, whether we 'fit' or not. There is also the idea that abstract is simply without reference to a specific object (or instance) and that can make MANY things qualify as abstract photography or art...
Anyway.....food for thought
Ari Rapo said:How about wabi-sabi? Have wabi-sabi some kind of relation with abstract? What do you think?
More about it from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi
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Permalink Reply by Dukes - Dieuwke Swain on -
I would agree with David to a certain extent, that a lot of what is posted on this community is not truly abstract.
However, I don't feel the need to be so strict about the definitions. The guidelines you mention are good Ari.
There is definitely some guidance needed on the site - this is what I've been missing since I joined actually.
I've posted a huge amount of photo's, some of which definitely don't fall under the heading of abstract, some of which I was doubting about.
I have seen photo's taken of abstract art and those are definitley missing the point I feel. This is not the forum for them.
The freedom to manipulate photo's to create new forms and images is important, although there should perhaps be a standard. Some photo's I've come across are thinly veiled (holiday/fun/landscape) snapshots. Please don't get me wrong - there are some extremely good photo's, but not what I'd class as abstract.
As for the definition of abstract.... for me this is is about seeing things in a different way, so that the objects do not have their original recognizable form or function. It's about playing with the effects of colours, patterns and the normal association of objects. This is all very subjective stuff though, hence why the definition of reality and abstract are so difficult o pin down.
All in all, an interesting discussion indeed!
Ari, I look forward to seeing some guidelines on the Home page.
Cheers, Dukes.
David L. Crooks said:I also belong to the Abstract group on Flickr.com. Here are there rules:
NO heavy software editing.
NO heavy hardware editing. (abstracts created in the darkroom are not accepted)
NO photos of abstract paintings ( e.g., simple documents of an existing abstraction are not abstract ).
NO photos of art installations/sculptures ( ditto ).
NO superimposed signatures or copyrights ( use meta data please ).
NO elaborate borders or frames.
NO people.
NO pornography - if it qualifies as porn, it can't be abstract as well. If you have to ask, you're definitely in the wrong place.
They are pretty strict on what is abstract and what is not. From an overview the of photos I have seen here, I don't think that many would pass on Flickr Abstract group.
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Permalink Reply by Ari Rapo on
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Thank you, Dukes, very much for the thoughtful ideas! I agree that we need some kind guidance and actually my original idea was that this discussion forum would be such. And also i put some lines to registration page. But maybe i should make some guidance page, where are in short form what kind of images this community expects. I think we have no need to draw tight borderlines and rules but somekind of information is definitely needed.
Have you any thoughts about details of the guidance? :) I think your definition "about seeing things in a different way" is one of the crucial ideas. And also creativity, and freedom to express ourselves are important, I think.
I think abstract expression in photography is more complicated than in other arts. Basic mission of photography is to represent something existing, and the photographer just digs it out. Abstract photo expression is more conceptual than a strict rule what such photo is or is not (that's my opinion). As you said, Dukes, the relevant thing is to see different way.
Like Minor White has said: "When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave until you have captured its essence."
Let's continue again the discussion! :)
Ari
Dukes said:I would agree with David to a certain extent, that a lot of what is posted on this community is not truly abstract.
However, I don't feel the need to be so strict about the definitions. The guidelines you mention are good Ari.
There is definitely some guidance needed on the site - this is what I've been missing since I joined actually.
I've posted a huge amount of photo's, some of which definitely don't fall under the heading of abstract, some of which I was doubting about.
I have seen photo's taken of abstract art and those are definitley missing the point I feel. This is not the forum for them.
The freedom to manipulate photo's to create new forms and images is important, although there should perhaps be a standard. Some photo's I've come across are thinly veiled (holiday/fun/landscape) snapshots. Please don't get me wrong - there are some extremely good photo's, but not what I'd class as abstract.
As for the definition of abstract.... for me this is is about seeing things in a different way, so that the objects do not have their original recognizable form or function. It's about playing with the effects of colours, patterns and the normal association of objects. This is all very subjective stuff though, hence why the definition of reality and abstract are so difficult o pin down.
All in all, an interesting discussion indeed!
Ari, I look forward to seeing some guidelines on the Home page.
Cheers, Dukes.
David L. Crooks said:I also belong to the Abstract group on Flickr.com. Here are there rules:
NO heavy software editing.
NO heavy hardware editing. (abstracts created in the darkroom are not accepted)
NO photos of abstract paintings ( e.g., simple documents of an existing abstraction are not abstract ).
NO photos of art installations/sculptures ( ditto ).
NO superimposed signatures or copyrights ( use meta data please ).
NO elaborate borders or frames.
NO people.
NO pornography - if it qualifies as porn, it can't be abstract as well. If you have to ask, you're definitely in the wrong place.
They are pretty strict on what is abstract and what is not. From an overview the of photos I have seen here, I don't think that many would pass on Flickr Abstract group.
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