Abstract Compositions

Trees, Panning Composition

Sometimes I like to throw caution to the wind and try something completely abstract.  I'm not as practiced in this type of photography, but I think it's something we all should try from time to time.  If nothing else, it's an exercise in the basics of composition.  In abstract compositions, all the fundamental elements of composition come into the foreground and the "subject" recedes into the background, figuratively speaking.

My favorite approach to abstract compositions is through motion blur.  I focus on a subject such trees and the light coming through them, and move the camera during a long exposure.  The images I'm showing here I believe were 2 sec exposures.  In the shot above, I moved the camera up nd down during the exposure.  In the shot below, I zoomed the camera.  In the last shot, I panned the camera in a largely diagonal direction.You can try any number of movements: zooming, panning, rotating, to get interesting compositions.  You can also combine them.  If you try this, don't just try it once and give up.  You probably won't like your first few attempts. But you may begin to see something you want to achieve, and then you can rehearse your movements until you're able to accomplish it.

Trees, Zooming Composition

Trees, Panning Composition