2019 WEEK 18: Abstract Landscape

Bewilderness- Tonya Bender (achieved by ICM)

What I like most about abstract photography is the unlimited creativity it allows, it is a type of photography that opens the imagination and embraces experimentation. This week we will be applying abstract photography with landscapes.

While landscape photography typically involves an image that captures the elements of the outdoors, whether vast or microscopic, natural or featuring man-made disturbances; in abstract landscape photography, the image becomes different from how it is normally perceived as a landscape. The abstraction itself can happen within varying degrees and therefore does not have to be unrecognizable. There are many techniques that can be used to create abstract landscapes, but the most important is that of perception. While thinking about perception, consider the following essential elements: color, tone, lines, form, and texture. While thinking in terms of these elements within a landscape subject, the image emphasizes the most basic characteristics of the landscape, minimizing the details and thus creating abstraction. Some examples of helpful techniques in creating abstraction include softening or blurring the landscapes through intentional camera movement (ICM), long exposures, or simply making the image unfocused.

Painted Desert- Tonya Bender (achieved by slow shutter from moving vehicle)

Also, over or under exposing landscapes create minimalistic low and high key images which work well with abstraction.

Compromise- Tonya Bender
Ups and Downs- Tonya Bender

Utilizing reflections of landscapes can naturally distort the image, as well as shooting through windows or other glass that is wet, foggy, or otherwise not clear to create abstraction. Also some of the basic photographic techniques such as shooting close up or macro, black and white photography, and even digital manipulation during post production can result in a creative abstract image.

Nowhere, USA- Tonya Bender
Dimensions- Tonya Bender (close up shot of landscape)

Whichever techniques or methods you choose to utilize for this challenge, just remember that this is a creative challenge on perception and is a demonstration of the photographer’s original vision. Most important, have fun and be creative!

To recap this week’s challenge:

  • Take a new photo that illustrates Abstract Landscape by choosing a creative technique that allows the image to become different from how it is normally perceived as a landscape.
  • Post your photo during the week of Sunday, April 28 and Saturday, May 4.
  • Please remember to comment on at least FIVE photo submissions this week by answering the question “why?” in your comments. In other words, “why do I like (or not like) this photo? or “why did this photo catch my eye?”

The friendly community guidelines are pretty simple:

  • Take a new photo for the current weekly theme, not something from your back catalog or someone else’s image.
  • Post your photo each week to our active communities on Facebookor Flickr (or both). Tag the photo:  #2019photochallenge #photochallenge #tempusaura
  • Don’t leave home without your camera. Participating in the 2019 Trevor Carpenter Photo Challenge is fun and easy.

About Tonya Bender

I am a self taught photographer from Allegany County Maryland where I reside in Little Orleans with my husband. My interest in photography began 20 years ago when my husband gifted me with my first film camera, a Canon AE-1. I dabbled in nature photography as well as portraits for a few years until shortly thereafter I put photography on hold to pursue my education in laboratory science and Chemistry. Upon graduating I combined my passions of learning and photography while exploring, practicing, and fine tuning my artistic style. With the use of my creative eye, my camera, and my processing skills I seek to create images that inspire emotion, thought, and interest. I first joined and started participating in The Trevor Carpenter Photo Challenge in 2014. From the moment I submitted my first photo I knew I had found a new home. The members were so accepting, informative, and encouraging. I spent the next 6 years participating, learning, and creating in ways I never thought possible. I became more confident in my work which encouraged me to enter photography shows and competitions in which images I have created as a result of The Trevor Carpenter Photo Challenge have won top prizes. A few years into my journey at The Trevor Carpenter Photo Challenge I became a Guest Contributor and have written several of my own photo challenges for the group. I am honored to now take on a more permanent role as a contributor and administrator in hopes that my story and my challenges help inspire others just like this group has inspired me! If you are interested in seeing more of my work please check me out on Flicker at https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyajbender/