Abstract Photography

What is Abstract Photography

Abstract photography is when you remove context from an image so that it becomes about its form, colour, texture, or movement rather than a recognisable subject.

No rules—just creative freedomFocus on elements like lines, contrast, and negative spaceFind the extraordinary in the ordinary

Techniques for Creating Abstract Photos

1. Get Super Close

One of the easiest ways to make something abstract is to zoom in until it stops looking like what it is. A water droplet, peeling paint, or rusted metal can take on a completely new identity when shot up close. If you have a macro lens, great—but even without one, just getting in tight and playing with focus can work wonders.

2. Play with Light and Shadows

Light can totally transform an image. Strong light can create sharp, high-contrast shapes, while softer light makes things feel dreamy. Shadows can add depth and mystery. Shooting through textured glass, colored gels, or reflective surfaces can bend and distort the image even more.

3. Move Your Camera on Purpose

Intentional camera movement (ICM) is a cool trick for making images feel more like paintings. Instead of keeping your camera still, move it around during a long exposure to create streaks, swirls, or soft blurs. Try a slower shutter speed (1/5s – 2s) and experiment with different movements to see what happens.

4. Focus on Texture & Patterns

Patterns are everywhere once you start looking for them—brick walls, tree bark, ripples in water. Zoom in enough, and they stop looking like a thing and start looking like art. Different textures—smooth, rough, glossy—can add another layer to the shot.

5. Experiment with Colour & Simplicity

A single bold colour with one interesting element can be more powerful than a busy image. Play with contrasting colours (red against blue, for example) to create depth, or use negative space to make the subject pop.

Abstract Photography Ideas

Glass Refractions → Shoot through textured or frosted glass to distort light and shapes.

Architecture Details → Focus on geometric lines, reflections, or curved surfaces.

Water Reflections → Capture ripples or distorted reflections for surreal effects.

Blur & Motion → Use slow shutter speeds to create dreamlike images.

Extreme Close-Ups → Zoom in on objects like fabric, food, or everyday textures until they lose their identity.