Explore – that is the key to this topic in my opinion. It’s fun, believe me, it can be fun. I am not in my element in this type of photography, it is a challenge to me as well. Sometimes we need to explore and expand to create something new. I am looking forward to see the inspiration you can give me for my future abstract photos.
Abstract photography breaks the normal rules of realism. It turns everyday scenes, objects, or textures into visual poetry, inviting viewers to see beyond the surface. It plays with light and shadow, blurring reality and using vibrant colors. Abstract images evoke emotions, spark curiosity, and challenge our perception. It is a genre of photography that focuses on the shapes, colors, textures, and patterns of the subject, rather than its literal representation.

Start with finding a new vantage point and look for interesting shapes and lines in your surroundings.


Get in close to your subject and capture the details that are usually overlooked.
Shoot from above and create abstract patterns from the landscape or the cityscape. Use architecture as your subject and look for geometric shapes, curves, patterns, and contrasts. You can also use perspective, framing, or cropping to create abstract compositions.



Use water, glass, or metal surfaces to create abstract images. You can also distort or manipulate the reflections by using ripples, bubbles, or angles.

Wait for the light to create interesting shadow patterns and use them to enhance your composition. Try a creative technique (such as intentional camera movement) and experiment with different shutter speeds, apertures, and focal lengths to create motion blur, zoom blur, or tilt-shift effects. Use a source of light and paint with light in a dark environment. You can also move your camera while shooting a stable source of light to create light trails.

Create bokeh by using a wide aperture and focusing on a point close to your lens. You can also use a filter or a cut-out shape to create custom bokeh shapes.


Use smoke or dye in water to create elegant and dynamic forms. You can also add some lighting or color effects to enhance the mood.

Use high-speed water drops as your subject and capture the moment when they collide, splash, or bounce. You can also use different liquids, colors, or backgrounds to create variety.




I hope these ideas inspire you to create some amazing abstract photos.
Abstract Lens
In shimmering silver, warm sepia, and radiant gold, the lens captures enchanting tales. A silent storyteller behind the glass unveils secrets of the past and present. The dancing light illuminates people. Within the interplay of shadows and light, stories are intricately woven. Each click captures frozen whispers, rhythm, and rhyme, echoing the passage of time.

A moment’s pause, a breath of grace – within frames, life’s exquisite beauty finds its rightful place. Images speak volumes beyond words, offering unique narratives for the discerning eye. Preserver of memories, guardian of time, capturing eternal glimpses of fleeting days.
Last week Donna’s wonderful post invited us to go all rocky, and what beautiful places we got to visit. Next week Egídio is hosting, I am sure his theme and beautiful photography will once again give us wonderful inspiration.
Until then, keep smiling ☺
IMPORTANT
To participate in this challenge, you should link to or leave a comment on the week’s host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag in your own post, so the post is easily found in the Reader.
And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

I forgot to include the link, sorry! http://alwayswrite.blog/2024/04/25/lapc-abstract-desert-art-and-other-challenges/
Thanks for your wonderful tips. 🙂 It’s a great privilege to get to meet some of the Lens-Artists in person. I’ve had the rare pleasure to call two of them friends. On April 15 a group of bloggers had fun together at the Desert Botanical Gardens, so I focused all my abstractions on that topic.
Happy to hear that, I have not met them in person, but they all are so nice and encouraging. obviously also an inspiration.
Yes, they are all wonderful. I did an interview with the original Lens-Artists years ago. It’s about time for an update! http://alwayswrite.blog/2020/08/14/how-four-strangers-from-around-the-world-coordinate-a-popular-weekly-photo-challenge/
Great Challenge, Ritva. I’m off to see what I can do. 🙂
Thanks, looking forward to the results 🙂
Fun challenge, Ritva! Here is my entry https://drphotographysite.com/2024/04/25/lens-artist-challenge-296-abstract/
I enjoy all of your images and regret that I am not as inventive as you clearly are! Here is my addition to the fun. https://lindylecoq.com/2024/04/25/lens-artists-photo-challenge-296-abstracts/
Fantastic post, Ritva, you really have given us food for thought! I haven’t used anyth8ng like as many techniques as you have, but hope you enjoy these: https://suejudd.com/2024/04/25/lens-artists-296-abstracts/
What wonderful examples as always, Ritva. Here is my entry https://wanderingteresa.com/the-sydney-opera-house/
Thank you Teresa, I found your take on it very interesting
my contribution
https://philosophyvia.photos/2024/04/24/lens-artists-challenge-296-abstracts/
Intriguing use of varieties of motion to create abstracts.
Thank you, glad you think so
A fascinating theme and so many great examples, also ideas on how to create these effects – thank you for those 🙂 I’ve had fun playing around with some of my own images: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-starting-with-something/
Thanks Sarah!
Terrific photos to inspire us with. :D
Here is my entry for the week.
https://ceenphotography.com/2024/04/23/abstracts-lens-artists-photo-challenge/
Thanks Cee, your were also lovely
A tough challenge this week, but you have some very interesting examples. I’m very fond of getting closer to a subject, but I have nothing as intriguing as these.
Thanks Jude, well maybe you start looking at photos and what you are photographing differently. I have…
I often take photos that concentrate on patterns and textures. I’ll have a look in my archives. Probably post on Friday.
🙂
Intriguing images, Ritva. Here are some more for you: https://judydykstrabrown.com/2024/04/23/for-lens-artists-challenge-296-abstract/
Thanks, your were lovely.
Great set of images Ritva, love the shopping centre one the most I think. Thanks for being our host.
Thanks, movin car can be a great help when creating abstract 😀
Thanks 🙂
Wonderful examples! I want to imitate them all.
Thanks Dawn, you are kind to say so.
An interesting theme with such fab examples!
Love the escalator!
So many rich examples, for me to get an idea.
Thank you Ritva Sillanmaki.
You are welcome and many thanks 🙂
Wow, these are amazing captures! wonderful talent.
You are so kind to say so, thank you.
Stunning abstracts, Ritva 👏 The fluidity of movement you’ve captured in your ICM shots is fantastic. The softening of the images creates a real dream-like quality 😃 Here’s mine: https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2024/04/22/abstracts-lens-artists-challenge-296/
Thanks Jez, that is a happy story like shot, so I am happy you liked it.
Lovely examples. Camera movement is something that happen involuntarily as far as I’m concerned. Smoke is something that I haven’t tried to capture, but your example is inspiring.
I have abstracts from a beach today: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/the-abc-of-abstract-beach-combing/
Thanks, Yes ICM is involuntary with me most of the time sometimes it works well. Thanks glad you liked them
Thanks, people are so creative in their responses – and it is inspirational to see them and pick up ideas.
Your challenge has provoked some fabulous images from participants. I’m going to challenge myself to look with more of an abstract eye when out and about in future. But here’s mine today: https://margaret21.com/2024/04/22/abstracting-abstracts/
Thanks Margaret, glad you think so, it was the goal