• This series of abstract images was created in response to a local camera club's assignment to photograph textures. Image by Margaret Stanton.
    This series of abstract images was created in response to a local camera club's assignment to photograph textures. Image by Margaret Stanton.
  • This series of abstract images were created in response to a local camera club's assignment to photograph textures. Image by Margaret Stanton.
    This series of abstract images were created in response to a local camera club's assignment to photograph textures. Image by Margaret Stanton.
  • This series of abstract images were created in response to a local camera club's assignment to photograph textures. Image by Margaret Stanton.
    This series of abstract images were created in response to a local camera club's assignment to photograph textures. Image by Margaret Stanton.
Close×

Photo Tip of the Week: How to Shoot An Abstract Theme

29 September 2015
Comments Comments

Shooting to different themes is a great test for photographers. Margaret Stanton explains to Robert Keeley how she developed her idea to encapsulate the concept of ‘texture’.

One really effective method of stretching your photographic thinking is by focusing upon particular themes. I was recently given an assignment at my local Dee Why Camera Club in northern Sydney to capture ‘textures’. The task was to shoot three images to define the theme within a two-week period, then to write a short reflective statement (an “artist’s statement”) about my thinking behind the series.

Assignments like this are designed to push the participants’ creative approach, including their technical capabilities, and their ability to produce to a deadline – all key factors in taking your photography to a higher level. After reading articles in both The New Scientist and the Scientific American magazines I had become intrigued by the concept of parallel universes, which are supposed to exist in the same space as us, but which we can't actually see. You can explore this idea yourself by using a search engine and simply typing in ‘multiverses’.

My imagination was sparked as to how these scenes might look. After playing around with a liquid mix and different lenses I came up with the technique which enabled me to shoot what I had imagined.

01 THE SET UP

I decided to illustrate the theme by creating a mix of oil and water. The two don’t actually mix, but when they combine they create some interesting abstractions. I used a wide-necked glass jar with about 25mm of water in it, and a teaspoon of cooking oil. I then gathered wrapping paper in three different colours and placed the jar on them. Then I stirred up the oil and water, and let it settle for a short time. As it happened, I had to repeat my swirling action several times to produce a pattern that looked interesting enough to photograph. Then I finally shot the effects.

02 EQUIPMENT & SETTINGS

I photographed the series with my Canon 7D SLR and a 90mm f/2.8 macro lens, set up on a tripod. The final settings I used were an aperture of f/2.8 and an ISO rating of between 800 and 2000. I also used a beside lamp (a spotlight type) for side lighting. I plan to shoot more with this arrangement and I intend to be more consistent with the settings next time I try this exercise.

This time around I stopped when I had what I needed. I had created more photos than I required for the assignment, but I had fulfilled the brief and developed some useful ideas on how to approach an abstract theme. Try it yourself and see how you go.

This series of abstract images were created in response to a local camera club's assignment to photograph textures. Image by Margaret Stanton.
Texture: Untitled 1.


Texture: Untitled 2.


Texture: Untitled 3.


Texture: Untitled 4.


Texture: Untitled 5.


comments powered by Disqus