Ritva leads this week and boy does she have us stepping out of our comfort zone, but in a fun way. In her challenge she has us exploring abstract photography and in her words “breaking the rules of realism.”

“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun!”

_Katherine Hepburn

There’re quite a few ways to create abstract photography whether “in camera” or through the editing process. I thought I would share with you some images I took “in camera.”

In this first image I had read about a technique placing a baggie (or plastic wrap) over the lens to give a soft, moody kind of feel. To experiment with this technique, I shot a matted 5 x 6 photo. When I added the baggie over the lens and reshot the photo it produced an even more “antique-ish” kind of feel. It’s almost like the photo was so old that it was beginning to fade away.

With the images below I used the “multiple exposure” setting in my Canon EOS 6D. It’s a VERY cool setting that allows you to take up to 9 different images and the camera will merge them together. I’ve only tried it with two (2) images so far.

Another fun “in the camera” technique is “zooming.” A tripod or really steady hand is very helpful with this technique because as you’re using a slow shutter speed (i.e 1/5 th – 1/8th ) and as you’re taking the picture, you’re rapidly turning the lens to achieve the effect you want. Of course, you can also achieve this in Photoshop, but it’s pretty fun to challenge yourself with the camera.

The possibilities are limitless in creating abstract photography. It just depends on the story you’re trying to tell through your image as to what abstract technique you want to use.

Thank you Ritva for this fun and creative challenge. If you’re joining in on this challenge, be sure to link to Riva’s post in the “comments” section and also use the Lens-Artist tag.

Next week Egídio is hosting. He has some amazing photography so be sure to subscribe to his blog Through Brazilian Eyes.

Until next time!

–donna