Definition of Abstract Photography
In my view, abstract photography does not follow the general photography rules (rules of thirds, patterns, not cutting joints, etc) and intentionally makes the viewers feel a sense of confusion at first sight. Additionally, abstract photography should take the viewers into a new perspective of a daily object, whether it’s zooming in/out, changing the angle, or changing the focus.
Researching the Starting Point
The Pictorialism Movement started from 1885-1915, and the overall objective was to capture photographs to look more like pictures, rather than a reflection of reality. Additionally, it emerged through the influence of Kodak, a portable camera that could be used more by the public. This movement was important because it conveyed photography as a form of art, something that would not just depict accurate visual records, but something that could spread beauty.
On the other hand, the Straight Photography Movement aims to take photographs with sharp focus and detail. Take the photograph below, for example. In this photo, there is a clear view; with the background of large rectangular holes to the focus, which are the people and their transparent shadows, it is evident that everything is put in order, giving me a soothing feeling. Furthermore, in my opinion, straight photography was popular because it was simple for the public to understand its theory and favor it. Unlike Pictorialism, it dived deep into the basics, focusing on shapes, lines, and symmetry. These were all concepts that common people could understand; therefore, with its simple yet solid ideology, it was quick for the public to understand and enjoy it. Additionally, looking from the photographer’s side, one reason why they may have liked it is how it was easily accessible. Back then, I would assume that photography was a passion only for the wealthy, meaning that the settings to take photos were also uncommon. Therefore, when this ideology formed, it invited and gained more photographers’ interest, photographers that were less wealthy but still had a strong interest in photography.
During this period, many great photographers came to appear. One of them was Aaron Siskind. He was an American Photographer and was involved in the Straight Photography Movement because he was the first artist to combine straight photography with abstract photography.
Another one is Andreas Gursky. Similar to Siskind, he uses both abstract and straight photography elements. For example, his work below is abstract because he uses solar panels and creates a pattern. Also, he depicts a different viewpoint of solar panels, an aspect in which countless of them are placed side-by-side on the grass, not doing their work of absorbing heat. Yet, he is also a straight photographer, as seen in the photo below. Firstly, precise shapes are shown through the outlines of the solar panels while the picture is in a clear view.
The last one is Uta Barth; she uses both abstract and straight photography components. In her work below, she does not follow the photography rule of not cutting joints, and solely looking at this picture gives me a sense of confusion, which are all my definitions of what an abstract photograph should look like. However, it is simultaneously a straight photograph because it has a clear focus: the hand pulling the curtain and the patterns created by the light coming out of it.
