Abstract photos

Abstract Photography uses unconventional colors, shapes, angles, and blur to convey a feeling, emotion or sensation. Browse our collection of high-quality abstract photos and experimental art - HD and free for commercial use.

droplets of water in a sink

Droplets Of Water In A Sink


just a drop of water

Just A Drop Of Water


elderly person raises their fist

Elderly Person Raises Their Fist


macro rose petals

Macro Rose Petals


a bride through a veil

A Bride Through A Veil


a plain blue wooden door

A Plain Blue Wooden Door


rain drops cascading down bus window

Rain Drops Cascading Down Bus Window


a stone wall of green leaves

A Stone Wall Of Green Leaves


orange colors of cascading ripples in water

Orange Colors Of Cascading Ripples In Water


cascading ripples in the water

Cascading Ripples In The Water


rain drops illuminated by colors on window

Rain Drops Illuminated By Colors On Window


rain drops on a bright window

Rain Drops On A Bright Window


rain drops illuminated on window

Rain Drops Illuminated On Window


abstract image of light leaks with purple background

Abstract Image Of Light Leaks With Purple Background


portrait view of some netting

Portrait View Of Some Netting


a close up of some netting

A Close Up Of Some Netting


yellow and purple in folded abstract pattern

Yellow And Purple In Folded Abstract Pattern


blues and greens in folded abstract pattern

Blues And Greens In Folded Abstract Pattern


pinks and blues in folded abstract pattern

Pinks And Blues In Folded Abstract Pattern


paper folded and colored by light

Paper Folded And Colored By Light


jewlers organized rotary tool accesories

Jewlers Organized Rotary Tool Accesories


rain droplets on a monochromatic window

Rain Droplets On A Monochromatic Window


red and blues create a marble effect

Red And Blues Create A Marble Effect


portrait of a woman painted on wall

Portrait Of A Woman Painted On Wall


modern new zealand

Modern New Zealand


water falls like chandelier

Water Falls Like Chandelier


strands of light and color

Strands Of Light And Color


sporadic lights trail pattern

Sporadic Lights Trail Pattern


abstract wood chips

Abstract Wood Chips


garden mirror

Garden Mirror


a figure in white tip toes on the edge of the woods

A Figure In White Tip Toes On The Edge Of the Woods


a figure in white netting runs across lawn

A Figure In White Netting Runs Across Lawn


a figure in white gauze strikes a pose in the woods

A Figure In White Gauze Strikes A Pose In The Woods


a person in white netting strikes a pose in the woods

A Person In White Netting Strikes A Pose In The Woods


a figure in white gauze walks towards the woods

A Figure In White Gauze Walks Towards The Woods


a red-orange column of smoke in darkness

A Red-Orange Column Of Smoke In Darkness


tendrils of smoke curl off this flower

Tendrils Of Smoke Curl Off This Flower


orange smoke envelops an orange flower

Orange Smoke Envelops An Orange Flower


orange smoke bubbles off a flower

Orange Smoke Bubbles Off A Flower


smoky waves emanate from an orange flower

Smoky Waves Emanate From An Orange Flower


an orange flower simmers in smoke

An Orange Flower Simmers In Smoke


an orange flower smokes as if on fire

An Orange Flower Smokes As If On Fire


an orange flower erupts in smoke

An Orange Flower Erupts In Smoke


face shapes

Face Shapes


urban reflections

Urban Reflections


city scene captured in motion

City Scene Captured In Motion


orange ink galaxy

Orange Ink Galaxy


reverse ink volcano

Reverse Ink Volcano


two-tone ink cloud

Two-Tone Ink Cloud


blue ink explosion

Blue Ink Explosion


Start a business

Most everything you need to get started — photos, suppliers, and more

Inspiring, High-Quality Abstract Art and Digital Photography

On Abstract Photography

Abstract Photography is a unique and diverse genre of digital art. Sometimes called non-objective, experimental, conceptual or concrete photography - abstract photography is very unrestricted when it comes to stylistic elements. In general, the genre aims to depict a stunning and beautiful image that isn’t something that can be perceived in the real world.

This can take a number of forms. In some cases, a photograph might aim to capture motion in a single image through the use of blurring. Other techniques include using special cameras that are able to perceive sources of light that are invisible to the human eye (such as infrared cameras). Other popular techniques of abstract imagery include macro photography (photography producing photographs of small items in a larger than life size) and digital photography techniques and filters.

With other forms of photography, things like exposure, shape, motion and the composition of the image are more rigid - because the photographer is trying to capture an image in all its real-world beauty. However, with abstract art - there’s a lot more room to creatively play around with these tools. The abstract artist may choose to tinker with an audience's sense of time and space in a number of ways. They may choose to isolate a fragment of a natural scene - removing any context to the viewer or they might stage a scene to create an unreal imagining of an object through use of unconventional light, color, shadow, texture, or shape that conveys a feeling, emotion or sensation.

Blur the Line Between the Real and Fantastic

For some photographers - the urge to abstract comes naturally. Knowing how to be abstract is about knowing how to strip context away from a scene and still convey the feeling, sensation or moment of that scene. Think less about the object itself and what it means in-context and more about how the lines and colours of the object make you feel.

Curve, Color and Shape

When it comes to abstract photography - the way the lines and shades of an object play off of each other are the most important. Everyday items are built with a certain practicality in mind - so in general, the function takes precedent over the design.

When you’re taking abstract photos - you’re essentially stripping an item down to its bare essentials and re-designing it. Zoom in on the object and look at it from unique perspectives. Find shapes and lines that play off each other and give you a feeling that goes beyond the context of the object itself. Force yourself to look at the object in a new way and the need to abstract will come naturally.

Tips & Techniques for Experimental Photographs

1. Macro Photography

This is a type of photography that makes use of extreme close-ups. Macro photography is not always abstract, but generally zooming in close to an object will help you to see the object as a collection of lines and shapes playing off each other rather than an object as whole. This will help when trying to convey an image of the object in an abstract manner.

2. Be Experimental

Abstraction is not about viewing objects as they appear and following photographic guidelines. Don’t be afraid to shoot out of focus, blur subjects in motion, and use unconventional lighting and angles.

3. Go Digital

When working in more concrete genres - post-production is mostly confined to a rigid set of rules that help to give the image the best focus possible. With abstract photography - there are no such rules. Play around with extremes in levels and saturation and feel free to alter colours and shapes. Don’t get discouraged if it looks odd at first - play around with it and have fun! Remember, it’s called experimental art for a reason.