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Artspan Portal: Abstract Photography
Introduction to Abstract Photography
Abstract Photography avoids symbolic representation, rejecting the notion that something identifiable must be depicted by a photograph. Instead, its object is the image itself and the process of its creation. Though examples of abstract photography can be found as early as the 1830s, it did not become a self-conscious form of image making until the early 20th century. It generally ran in parallel to abstract art, both in response to Realism's decades-long ideology that photography must be documentary. The first publicly exhibited abstract photographs were Erwin Quedenfeldt's Symmetrical Patterns from Natural Forms, shown in 1914. From Chistian Schad's cameraless photography, called photograms, to other experimental techniques like solarization, multiple exposure, photomontage, Surrealism and other art movements in the first half of the 20th century embraced abstract photography. The second half of the century brought people like Otto Steinert who made photos that explored the concept of an images' essential being. The 1960s saw the beginning of technology's integration with abstract photography, with computers, digital imaging, and microscopes producing astounding abstract images. Yet the most revered works of abstract photography come from real people behind the camera, notably in the works of Piet Mondrian, Saul Leiter, Paul Strange, Alfred Stieglitz.Featured Members
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Resources: Abstract Photography
Art Suppliers (see all)
- Calumet Photographic
- Digital Cameras, 35mm Cameras, DSLR, Camcorders, Amateur to Professional Photographic Equipment,...
- American Photographic Resources Inc.
- The leading supplier of props, backgrounds, studio lighting equipment, photo frames, and photo...
- B & H Photo, Video, & Pro Audio
- The Professional's Source of Digital Cameras, 35MM Camera Equipment, Photo Printers and more.
Associations (see all)
- Lancaster Photography Association
- Lancaster, CA
- Twin Cities Council of Camera Clubs
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Minneapolis-St Paul, MN
Promotes continuing education and fellowship for those interested... - Photographic Society of America
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Oklahoma City, OK
PSA is a worldwide interactive organization for anyone interested in...
Books (see all)
- Abstract Photography Techniques
- Cubism and abstract art: Painting, sculpture, constructions, photography, architecture, industrial
- Digital Abstract & Macro Photography (One Off)
- Get ready to view your photographs as more than simply the images they have captured as you learn...
Education (see all)
- Arcadia University
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Glenside, PA
BFA in Art, concentration in Ceramics - Virginia Commonwealth University
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Richmond, VA
MFA Photography & Film - University at Albany
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Albany, NY
BA in Studio Art, concentration in Photography
Education (see all)
- Memphis College of Art
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Memphis, TN
MFA in Fiber/Surface Design - Parsons: The New School For Design
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New York, NY
MFA in Photography - Pratt Fine Arts Center
- Seattle, WA
Galleries (see all)
- 525 Art
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Montevideo, Uruguay
Contemporary Art Gallery that exhibits, sells, and specializes in... - Carter Gallery
- Great Bircham, West Norfolk
- Galerie Bugdahn und Kaimer
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Duesseldorf, Germany
Specializes in international contemporary art from 1960 on,...
Museums (see all)
- California Museum of Photography
- Riverside, CA
- Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
- Ontario, Canada
- Center for Creative Photography
- Tucson, AZ
Publications (see all)
- Amateur Photography
- The world's number one weekly photography magazine.
- Camera Arts
- Photography magazine covering the art and craft of fine art photography including digital,...
- Imaging Abstracts