Photography as Abstract – Curves and Shadow and Light Play | katie's camera blog

Photography as Abstract – Curves and Shadow and Light Play

Here’s another of the abstracts I’ve been doing. If you want to see the other images/posts in the series, please click here and here.

Jennifer over at Tree Branch Design (her blog here) has already liked this image before I put it in a post, so I figure I better go ahead and make a post for it. 🙂 And thanks so much, Jennifer, for noticing this abstract.

I did this photo a few weeks ago. This one isn’t about what the objects were, but I wanted to capture the light and movement and the rounded shape. I moved the camera trying to get interesting curves when the light moved.

I don’t think you could guess what the objects were, so I’ll just tell you. These were some food cans that were sitting on my kitchen counter, and I shot the photos at night when the overhead light was shining down on them.

Shot with my 105mm lens at f/18, as I moved the camera in a slightly downward diagonal motion.

~ by KatiesCameraBlog on December 29, 2011.

Posted in Abstract Photography, Art
Tags: abstract, art, cans, contemporary, kitchen, metal, photography.

131 Responses to “Photography as Abstract – Curves and Shadow and Light Play”

It looks like a chocolate icecream cone.

sandy said this on December 29, 2011 at 6:52 am | Reply
- Yummy. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:18 am | Reply
I thought at first the pages of a book. Love the sweeping curves. 😉

Cynthia said this on December 29, 2011 at 6:57 am | Reply
- Ah, now that’s a better subject than cans. 🙂 Thanks for the comment, Cynthia! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:18 am | Reply
Love this one…I never would have guessed it was a can

Annie said this on December 29, 2011 at 6:57 am | Reply
- Glad you like this one, and thank you so much, Annie! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:18 am | Reply
I think this is my favourite of your abstracts.
Love the soft sweeping curves (& of course…..the simplicity of the composition).

victoriaaphotography said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:03 am | Reply
- Thanks, Victoria. I’m happy you like this one. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:19 am | Reply
Beautiful picture.. 🙂

abichica said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:04 am | Reply
- Thanks!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:19 am | Reply
Never would have guessed cans…! Looks more like a nice piece of 1930s Art Decco to me! Very nice pic, Katie.

Anthony Donnelly said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:15 am | Reply
- 1930’s art deco! I love that idea. It brings such thoughts into my head. Thanks, Ant!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:22 am | Reply
Very very nice!

Victoria from Sweden said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:19 am | Reply
- Thanks, Victoria! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:22 am | Reply
So amazing! I got a new lens for Christmas and have been playing with abstract type of shots but truly nothing as astounding as this….

Paula Turner said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:22 am | Reply
- Congrats on the new lens! I think camera movement abstracts can be hard if you’re looking for great composition, etc., in them. Good luck with yours! Can’t wait to see them. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:24 am | Reply
i thought it was some kind of liquid in motion…very nice…

daeja said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:22 am | Reply
- Thanks, Daeja! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:24 am | Reply
It looks like something very soft but in very fluid motion. Such amazing effects Katie. I loved it. 😀

And honestly, this is cool! I was like OMG! when I read the title – Light & Shadows. Really strange and beautiful feeling. 🙂 🙂 I don’t know if you noticed it. 🙂

Nandini said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:27 am | Reply
- Ah, so glad you really liked this one, Nandini! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:24 am | Reply
Very cool. You’re right, I never would have guessed cans. I thought it was chocolate.

plaidoak said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:46 am | Reply
- mmm, chocolate. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:25 am | Reply
Hmmm it reminds me of melting chocolate…. 🙂

Kristina said this on December 29, 2011 at 8:01 am | Reply
- Chocolate wins I think! 🙂 Thanks, Christina!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:25 am | Reply
Love it!

Adrienne said this on December 29, 2011 at 8:07 am | Reply
- Thanks, Adrienne! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:26 am | Reply
Absolutely beautiful, has a very liquid feel. Never would have guessed it to be cans; what a creative approach for a great shot!

composerinthegarden said this on December 29, 2011 at 8:37 am | Reply
- Thanks so much! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:28 am | Reply
Very cool and I never would have guessed what they were! Well done!

dhphotosite said this on December 29, 2011 at 8:56 am | Reply
- Thanks, David! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:28 am | Reply
This image is beautiful. The curve and lighting reminds me of flowing sand dunes, but in an unnatural formation. Great image.

K. Ryan Henisey said this on December 29, 2011 at 9:03 am | Reply
- Ah, I can see sand there, or waves too. Thanks, Ryan!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:28 am | Reply
This is really cool and thanks! Happy New Year!

Jennifer Triplett said this on December 29, 2011 at 9:18 am | Reply
- Most welcome, Jennifer! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:28 am | Reply
I like your candy apple header! They certainly look real enough to eat!

debmoyes said this on December 29, 2011 at 9:19 am | Reply
- Thank you! Those were candied apples at a festival here. 🙂 Thanks for the comment and for visiting my blog. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:29 am | Reply
Great shot katie! This looks like it would be easy to paint… If i ever undertake that, ill share the outcome
😉

mist6114 said this on December 29, 2011 at 9:29 am | Reply
- Thanks! If you do use this photo as an inspiration, please do let me know, give me credit, etc. I love when my work inspires other artists. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 6:30 am | Reply
I love this chocolate moose! Seriously, great curves & shadows, Katie.

marinakanavaki said this on December 29, 2011 at 10:40 am | Reply
- Thanks, Marina!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:11 am | Reply
Lovely gradation of tones and sense of undulation. Soft, serene, peaceful.

milkayphoto said this on December 29, 2011 at 11:04 am | Reply
- Nice comment! Thanks, Tracy!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:11 am | Reply
Very creative use of light. I love it.

Angela Acosta said this on December 29, 2011 at 11:13 am | Reply
- Thank you, Angela! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:11 am | Reply
Beautiful dear Katie, I love your abstract images… Thank you, with my love, nia

niasunset said this on December 29, 2011 at 11:16 am | Reply
- Thanks so much, Nia! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:11 am | Reply
Beautiful Katie… Photography as abstract works for me 🙂

hellenjc said this on December 29, 2011 at 11:28 am | Reply
- Thanks, Hellen! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:12 am | Reply
nicely done, Katie!

Graham Stephen said this on December 29, 2011 at 11:30 am | Reply
- Thanks, Graham!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:12 am | Reply
Makes you want to touch it to see what it is … I never would have guessed that it’s a can

lrntn said this on December 29, 2011 at 11:33 am | Reply
- Glad it kept you guessing. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:13 am | Reply
Very nice, organic shapes. I never would have guessed they were cans.

danitacahill said this on December 29, 2011 at 12:01 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Danita! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:13 am | Reply
simply brill…..

maenamor said this on December 29, 2011 at 12:06 pm | Reply
- Ah, thank you!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:13 am | Reply
Food cans on a counter? I would never, ever have come to that! Amazing photo with a great sense of mystery. Excellent work, Katie!

Jenna said this on December 29, 2011 at 12:21 pm | Reply
- Thanks so much, Jenna! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:14 am | Reply
Very nice Katie! Isn’t it great how ordinary things can make great photographs? Have a great New Year!

Eden said this on December 29, 2011 at 12:42 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Eden! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:14 am | Reply
Awesome Katie! At first, I thought I was looking at the swirl of a soft ice cream!

Gracie said this on December 29, 2011 at 1:17 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Gracie! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:16 am | Reply
WHOA!!! That’s coffee coloured milk being stirred under moonlight! Fantastic shot!

Dreams and Zeros said this on December 29, 2011 at 1:41 pm | Reply
- Oh, I love your description! You’re inspiring me to post another abstract I did that reminds me of your comment! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:16 am | Reply
  - looking forward to seeing it! I’m intrigued!
    
    Dreams and Zeros said this on December 30, 2011 at 10:21 am
  - Thanks! I will post more. 🙂
    
    KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 31, 2011 at 11:15 am
I love this abstract. The lines, curves, light and shadow are spectacular. The color warm. It is a very tactile photo, and just lovely, Katie.

Peace

Suzanne said this on December 29, 2011 at 1:51 pm | Reply
- Ah, thanks, Suzanne! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:17 am | Reply
AWESOME! I absolutely love the way this came out.

edithlevyphotography said this on December 29, 2011 at 2:08 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Edith! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:17 am | Reply
Very nicely done 🙂 Great shot and steady movement 🙂

Filipe Marques said this on December 29, 2011 at 2:48 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Filipe! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:17 am | Reply
Lovely, reminds me of dunes, Sally

Sally W. Donatello said this on December 29, 2011 at 3:23 pm | Reply
- Wonderful, Sally. Thank you!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:18 am | Reply
Just beautiful…

lynnwiles said this on December 29, 2011 at 4:32 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Lynn!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:18 am | Reply
I really don’t need to know what they are as I believe that this photo stands well on it’s own with beautiful tones, a focal point where the lines and tones intersect and a plesant “feel” to it. Kudos to you, Katie.

janechese said this on December 29, 2011 at 5:18 pm | Reply
- Thanks so much, Jane! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:18 am | Reply
So beautiful and your right in that I would never know that it was an image of food cans. It reminds me of an abstract painting.

helensadornmentsblog said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:31 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Helen! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:42 am | Reply
Beautiful capture, very organic and fluid

meanderlight said this on December 29, 2011 at 7:38 pm | Reply
- Thank you so much. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:42 am | Reply
The curves and tones make this very interesting.

Michael (mB) said this on December 29, 2011 at 9:12 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Michael!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:44 am | Reply
Wow! What a lovely image, and I would never had guessed what you were photographing.

Susie C. said this on December 29, 2011 at 9:24 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Susie!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:45 am | Reply
Nifty. Its like super curvy like a crazy futuristic roadway. Or a racetrack or something… It might also be time for bed since I’m sure I make no sense…lol

Cin said this on December 30, 2011 at 12:24 am | Reply
- LOL! I like that description! Thanks, Cin!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:45 am | Reply
One of your best abstracts. Love the motion in it Katie.

Matthew Kunce said this on December 30, 2011 at 4:00 am | Reply
- Thanks, Matthew! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 30, 2011 at 7:46 am | Reply
Hmmmm, food cans…???!! Had never guessed that! Anyway – it is a(nother) great abstract. Your photography is very creative and inspiring, I’m lookin foreward to your 2012-photos! Happy New Year 🙂

truels said this on December 31, 2011 at 2:56 am | Reply
- Ah, thank you so much, Truels! I’m so happy to hear you like my work that much. Thank you!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on December 31, 2011 at 12:22 pm | Reply
Thats really nice Katie.
I’m getting more and more interested in practicing digital photography as an abstract art

Pacha Photo said this on December 31, 2011 at 11:11 am | Reply
- Ah thank you. Best of luck with your abstracts. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 1, 2012 at 9:53 am | Reply
Mmmm. Lovely, Katie.

Syncopated Eyeball said this on December 31, 2011 at 7:19 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Syncy! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 1, 2012 at 10:07 am | Reply
You really are an inspiration, Katie! 🙂

Inge said this on December 31, 2011 at 11:11 pm | Reply
- What a nice thing to say, Inge. Thank you! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 1, 2012 at 10:25 am | Reply
You really captured the light and movement beautifully here Katie 🙂

Mufidah Kassalias said this on January 1, 2012 at 7:45 am | Reply
- Ah, thanks, Mufidah!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 1, 2012 at 10:27 am | Reply
I love it! Well done 🙂

7irz said this on January 1, 2012 at 8:05 am | Reply
- Thank you! And thank for visiting my blog! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 1, 2012 at 10:28 am | Reply
- Thank you! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 1, 2012 at 10:29 am | Reply
Nice work Katie

Charleen said this on January 1, 2012 at 2:42 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Charleen!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 2, 2012 at 9:01 am | Reply
Wow – you’re right – I never would have guessed what created this effect, but I sure like your results, Katie!
🙂

spilledinkguy said this on January 1, 2012 at 8:36 pm | Reply
- Thanks! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 2, 2012 at 9:03 am | Reply
ow wow!! I would never have guessed that was a picture of cans. It looks like a nice wave.

Novroz said this on January 1, 2012 at 9:10 pm | Reply
- That’s what I see too — a wave! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 2, 2012 at 9:05 am | Reply
Lovely abstract 🙂

Sonali Dalal said this on January 2, 2012 at 3:58 am | Reply
- Thank you, Sonali. And thanks to for visiting my blog. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 2, 2012 at 9:08 am | Reply
I love this one!! Nicely done 🙂

JuanitasPhotoBox said this on January 2, 2012 at 2:24 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Juanita! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 3, 2012 at 8:51 am | Reply
Wow, that is *really* cool! It looks art-deco!

zorgor said this on January 3, 2012 at 10:22 pm | Reply
- Thanks, Zorgor!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 4, 2012 at 8:47 am | Reply
Pattie (my wife) doesn’t put many of my abstract images on her Plaid Oak blog, but they are sometimes my favorite. I love bringing out certain isolated elements that are breathtaking in themselves, even though they are found in common things around us. I like this image a lot.

mab001 said this on January 3, 2012 at 10:30 pm | Reply
- Ah, I’d love to see some of your abstract images. I love them. I agree, I like bringing out things people don’t see. My photography really is all about shapes, textures, lines and sometimes color. My eye just zooms in on those things. thanks so much for your comment!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 4, 2012 at 8:50 am | Reply
  - I’ll give her a gentle nudge to include some of the abstract. :>)
    
    mab001 said this on January 4, 2012 at 9:55 am
  - I hope she does. 🙂 I’ve found that it’s some of my most popular posts. 🙂
    
    KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 5, 2012 at 7:59 am
  - I guess I’ve been duly nudged. (o:
    
    plaidoak said this on January 5, 2012 at 8:43 am
  - LOL. 🙂 Hope to see some.
    
    KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 6, 2012 at 7:11 am
I was totally guessing food cans on counter at night moving camera at downward diagonal…

mab001 said this on January 3, 2012 at 10:32 pm | Reply
- Wow, you are good! 🙂 Thanks for the comment! 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 4, 2012 at 8:50 am | Reply
I love how often the most beautiful images come from the simplest of objects … when caught by the creative eye of an artist like yourself.

mari french said this on January 5, 2012 at 3:53 am | Reply
- Thank you so much, Mari. I truly appreciate your comment on my photography and thanks for visiting my blog too. So nice to hear that you appreciate my eye. Thank you.
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 5, 2012 at 8:55 am | Reply
Made me think of drifted sand dunes

Rolling with Husky said this on January 6, 2012 at 7:32 pm | Reply
- Ah, yes, I can see that now. Thanks!
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 7, 2012 at 12:17 pm | Reply
Now I can see how you find my light-play work! Good stuff. Thank you for the like

Sam White said this on January 11, 2012 at 12:09 pm | Reply
- You’re so welcome. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 12, 2012 at 9:54 am | Reply
This is the best image of food cans I’ve ever seen! Keep up the creativity, and thanks for visiting my blog.

heljblack said this on January 11, 2012 at 2:37 pm | Reply
- Ah, thank you so much! And thanks too for visiting my blog. 🙂
  
  KatiesCameraBlog said this on January 12, 2012 at 9:55 am | Reply