Inspiration: Abstract + Still Life Photography

For your current project (Mystery Bag) I want you to really experiment with the materials you were given. Use the supplies in any way you would like: break them, cut them, use them to build something else, or use them in their normal state. For some inspiration I wanted to introduce the class to abstract photography and also revisit still life photography. Your images for this project do not have to be abstract or still life specifically, but I want you to be familiar with some alternative ways of approaching photography.

What is abstract photography?

An abstract image is one that has no direct association with the world or the object world. In other words, it is experimental, non-objective or conceptual in nature. Often times in abstraction contextual information is removed or obscured to convey an unreal experience, an idea or a sensation. Abstract photography often focuses on elements of color, texture, shadow and shape. 

 

Aaron Siskind

 

Minor White

 

Wolfgang Tillmans

Ellen Carey

 

Roger Ballen

What is still life photography?

Still life photography depicts inanimate subject matter, most often arranged by the photographer. Unlike abstraction, still life photography directly relates to the object and its context in the world. The photographer has almost all control over the set-up, lighting and composition. As a result of this control, lighting and framing are very important in this genre of photography.

 

Shirana Shabazi

 

 

Jan Groover

 

Sharon Core

 

Brittany Marcoux

 

Hiroshi Sugimoto

(Dioramas Series)