Abstract Photography for Sale
Abstract photography, also sometimes known as experimental photography, is the art of creating a visual effect with an image that has no immediate attachment to reality, by using processes like focusing, framing, or retouching and editing the photograph in post-processing. For example, an abstract picture can sometimes isolate a fragment of an ordinary image to remove it from its original context and give it a surrealist edge. It can also involve playing with blurring, shadows or lighting, textures or unexpected forms. The image is often created with traditional photographic material (analog or digital cameras, dark room, computer). However, artists can also manipulate and alter the film in order to achieve the desired effect.
The first images known as “abstract photographs" appeared shortly after the invention of photography in the 1830s. In 1842, John William Draper created a new type of images with a spectroscope. This machine dispersed light beams and produced a phenomenon that was previously invisible to the eye. The negatives he produced had nothing in common with the works of other photographers, and they opened the way for innovative photographic works. Draper perceived these images as a scientific discovery, not as artworks, but today his method is widely acclaimed by critics for its inherent originality.
In England, Anna Atkins was also a pioneer of abstract photography; she was the first one to place dry algae on cyanotype paper. This scientific experiment improved photographic techniques by creating unique blue and white images. Moreover, the discovery of X-ray and radioactivity in 1896 provoked a fascination for the invisible and many photographers were immediately drawn to these phenomena. French photographer Louis Darget attempted to capture mental processes by pressing unexposed plates to the foreheads of his and trying to get them to project images from their minds onto the plates. He carried out thousands of similar experiments.
It was only during the 20th century that abstract photography truly became recognised as an artistic practice. Surrealism and cubism started replacing impressionism, especially after the Salon d'Automne in 1903 in Paris. This event highlighted new talents like Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp… Ten years later, in New York, Wassily Kandinsky, Mondrian, Braque and Delaunay shocked audiences. The freedom coming from abstract art inspired some of the greatest photographers to break the rules.
Erwin Quedenfeldt exhibited the first abstract photographs in Cologne in 1914. From 1920 to 1930, Europe became the epicenters of conceptual photography with artists such as Jaroslav Rossler, Josef Sudeck, and Rössler exploring abstraction.
Post-processing became more central to photographic works in the 60s and the 70s, with artists like Josef Newman. Eventually, the growing popularity of computers in the 90s and the 2000s opened up infinite possibilities for creating original work. Some contemporary photographers like Peter Klasen, Dominic Harris, or Nicolas Dubreuille combine photography with other mediums.
Find them all on Artsper with our unique selection of abstract photographs.
Save your search and find it in your favorites
Save your search to find it quickly
Saved search
Your search is accessible from the favorites tab > My favorite searches
Unsaved search
A problem occurred
Laminariales XVIII Cyanotype photographs.
Paola Dávila
Photography - 113.8 x 37.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 44.8 x 14.9 x 0.1 inch
$4,000
Laminariales XIII. From the series Bosque. Cyanotype Artwork
Paola Dávila
Photography - 160 x 37.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 63 x 14.9 x 0.1 inch
$3,500
Laminariales VIII. From the series Bosque. Cyanotype Photograph
Paola Dávila
Photography - 113.8 x 37.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 44.8 x 14.9 x 0.1 inch
$3,000
Laminariales III
Paola Dávila
Photography - 113.8 x 37.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 44.8 x 14.9 x 0.1 inch
$3,000
27° 42' 26.32'' N, 7° 42' 26.32'' W-15
Paola Dávila
Photography - 58.4 x 111.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23 x 44 x 0.1 inch
$3,600
Débordement II variante
Romain Liverato
Photography - 30 x 45 x 0.3 cm Photography - 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.1 inch
$655
Mystère en noir et rouge
Jean-Robert Franco
Photography - 80 x 60 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 inch
$1,429
Voile d'Or
Jean-Robert Franco
Photography - 80 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
$1,786
Abstraction mauve
Jean-Robert Franco
Photography - 80 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
$1,786
Aspérités
Jean-Robert Franco
Photography - 100 x 70 x 1 cm Photography - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.4 inch
$2,381
Femme en bleu
Jean-Robert Franco
Photography - 60 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
$2,381
Comme un cristal...
Jean-Robert Franco
Photography - 80 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
$2,976
Un Baiser sur Vos Lèvres
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 70 x 105 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0 inch
$1,905
Neige et Cendres
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 70 x 105 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0 inch
$1,905
Dans L'Intimité d'une Planète
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 70 x 105 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0 inch
$1,905
Calligraphie
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 70 x 105 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0 inch
$1,905
Le Rayon Vert
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 70 x 105 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0 inch
$1,905
Pollock 1
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 70 x 105 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 41.3 x 0 inch
$1,905
Le Songe de l'Oiseau
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 80 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$2,262
L'Astre qui Sommeille
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 80 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$2,262
Encre de Mer
Laurence Gallien
Photography - 80 x 120 x 0.1 cm Photography - 31.5 x 47.2 x 0 inch
$2,262
So Near, So Far 4.
Petr Strnad
Photography - 50 x 33.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 13.1 x 0 inch
$190
So Near, So Far 3.
Petr Strnad
Photography - 33.3 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13.1 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$190
So Near, So Far 2.
Petr Strnad
Photography - 33.3 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13.1 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$190
So Near, So Far 1.
Petr Strnad
Photography - 33.3 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13.1 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$190
Natural Rhythm 1.
Petr Strnad
Photography - 35 x 46.7 x 0.1 cm Photography - 13.8 x 18.4 x 0 inch
$179
Circle Grammar #2
Petr Strnad
Photography - 45.8 x 45.2 x 0.1 cm Photography - 18 x 17.8 x 0 inch
$321
Singapore, electric Mosquito
Bruno Paget
Photography - 60 x 80 x 2.7 cm Photography - 23.6 x 31.5 x 1.1 inch
$2,976
Singapore, Mariana Bay & The Sands 1
Bruno Paget
Photography - 60 x 80 x 2.7 cm Photography - 23.6 x 31.5 x 1.1 inch
$2,976
Singapore, Marina Bay from the flyer 2
Bruno Paget
Photography - 60 x 80 x 2.7 cm Photography - 23.6 x 31.5 x 1.1 inch
$2,976
Vagues et Noir
Regis Duvignau
Photography - 38 x 48 x 1 cm Photography - 15 x 18.9 x 0.4 inch
$1,429
Set of 5 Cyanotype photograhs from the series Mareas
Paola Dávila
Photography - 122.9 x 111.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 48.4 x 44 x 0.1 inch
$7,000
There is a hand that protects me
On Hansen
Photography - 69 x 100 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.2 x 39.4 x 0.1 inch
$1,500
A rock cannot burnt to ashes
On Hansen
Photography - 69 x 100 x 0.3 cm Photography - 27.2 x 39.4 x 0.1 inch
$1,500
Toys for kids 9
Fabrice Quignette
Photography - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
$714
South Skies
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71.1 x 71.1 x 0.5 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.2 inch
$1,800
Northern Lights
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71.1 x 71.1 x 0.5 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.2 inch
$1,800
Passion Project No.8 Abstract Art
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71 x 71 x 0.2 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.1 inch
$1,200
Passion Project No.7
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71 x 71 x 0.2 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.1 inch
$1,200
Passion Project No.6
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71 x 71 x 0.2 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.1 inch
$1,200
Passion Project No.5
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71 x 71 x 0.2 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.1 inch
$1,200
Passion Project No.4
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,400
Passion Project No.3
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,400
Passion Project No.2
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,400
Passion Project No.1
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,400
Elements Of Colour No.5
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,850
Elements Of Colour No.4
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,850
Elements Of Colour No.3
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,850
Elements Of Colour No.2
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,850
Elements Of Colour No.1
Angela Cameron
Photography - 97 x 72 x 0.2 cm Photography - 38.2 x 28.3 x 0.1 inch
$1,850
Thoughts Of Colour - Abstract Photography
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71 x 71 x 0.2 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.1 inch
$2,500
Red Lightning
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71 x 71 x 0.2 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.1 inch
$2,976 $2,381
Light Year Triptych
Angela Cameron
Photography - 55 x 165 x 0.2 cm Photography - 21.7 x 65 x 0.1 inch
$2,500
Crimson Abstract - Art Photography
Angela Cameron
Photography - 71 x 71 x 0.2 cm Photography - 28 x 28 x 0.1 inch
$2,500
Seasonal Skies #8
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Seasonal Skies #7
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Seasonal Skies #6
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Seasonal Skies #5
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Seasonal Skies #4
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Seasonal skies #3
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Seasonal Skies #2
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Seasonal Skies #1
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756
Memoir #5
Angela Cameron
Photography - 86 x 55 x 0.2 cm Photography - 33.9 x 21.7 x 0.1 inch
$2,756 $2,205
Discover the styles & movements
Discover the selection of our experts
Les espaces de Penseur de Rodin
Jesus Campos
Sculpture - 30 x 14 x 15 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 5.5 x 5.9 inch
$1,286
The gas station
Jean-Philippe Berger
Painting - 80 x 80 x 4 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 1.6 inch
$798
Méandres bleu et sable
Sophie Dumont
Painting - 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
$3,453
Need help with Abstract Photography ?
What is considered abstract photography?
Abstract photography refers to images created using photography equipment that do not directly represent the real visual world as we see it. Abstract photographers use different techniques to manipulate the image captured by the camera.
What makes good abstract photography?
There are different factors in what makes a good abstract photograph, including composition, color, tone, lighting and mystery.
What are the different types of abstract photography?
There are many different ways to produce an abstract photograph. Techniques can include moving the camera during exposure, playing with light and reflections, using different angles, and experimenting with production techniques.
Who is the most famous abstract photographer?
One of the most famous abstract photographers is Wolfgang Tillmans, known for his experimental approach and innovative use of color and form. His work blurs the boundaries between photography, abstraction, and contemporary art.
What are the elements of abstract photography?
The elements of abstract photography include shapes, colors, lines, textures, and patterns, often detached from recognizable subjects. This style emphasizes visual impact and emotion over literal representation.
What is abstract nature photography?
Abstract nature photography captures natural elements in a way that emphasizes shapes, colors, and textures over realistic representation. It often transforms familiar scenes into visually intriguing compositions, inviting viewers to interpret the image freely.
How to make a photo abstract?
To make a photo abstract, play with tight framing, blurring, or layering to distort reality. Experiment with light, color, and texture to create a visual composition that evokes more than it shows.