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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.

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Photography, Tether, Hélène Hubert

Tether

Hélène Hubert

Photography - 90 x 60 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 inch

€1,050

Photography, big nothing 71, Luuk de Haan

big nothing 71

Luuk de Haan

Photography - 100.1 x 82.3 x 0.3 cm Photography - 39.4 x 32.4 x 0.1 inch

€4,010

Photography, Épreuve 3, Zakari Babel

Épreuve 3

Zakari Babel

Photography - 36 x 24 x 0.5 cm Photography - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.2 inch

€60

Photography, Sharpness 02, Milen Radev

Sharpness 02

Milen Radev

Photography - 50.6 x 40.6 x 0.1 cm Photography - 19.9 x 16 x 0 inch

€990

Photography, Artichoke II, Shine Huang

Artichoke II

Shine Huang

Photography - 50.8 x 40.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 20 x 16 x 0.1 inch

€1,641

Photography, Japan, Dominic Harris

Japan

Dominic Harris

Photography - 51 x 110 x 1 cm Photography - 20.1 x 43.3 x 0.4 inch

€2,224

Photography, Falla 1, Rodrigo Etem

Falla 1

Rodrigo Etem

Photography - 93 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm Photography - 36.6 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch

€1,458

Photography, Banana leaves #7, Ed Reddon

Banana leaves #7

Ed Reddon

Photography - 21 x 14 x 0.2 cm Photography - 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.1 inch

€70

Photography, Mica, Andrea Hajtmánková

Mica

Andrea Hajtmánková

Photography - 84.1 x 59.4 x 1.5 cm Photography - 33.1 x 23.4 x 0.6 inch

€2,100

Photography, Invitation, Priska Walliman

Invitation

Priska Walliman

Photography - 90 x 90 x 0.4 cm Photography - 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.2 inch

€1,500

Photography, Stronger, Richard Gaylon

Stronger

Richard Gaylon

Photography - 114.3 x 76.2 x 0.254 cm Photography - 45 x 30 x 0.1 inch

€2,810

Photography, The explosion, Raul Bali

The explosion

Raul Bali

Photography - 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.2 cm Photography - 4.3 x 3.5 x 0.1 inch

€120

Photography, Fractal, Sodoma X

Fractal

Sodoma X

Photography - 55.5 x 74 x 1 cm Photography - 21.9 x 29.1 x 0.4 inch

€1,700

Photography, Color rhythm, Ursa Schoepper

Color rhythm

Ursa Schoepper

Photography - 75 x 50 x 3 cm Photography - 29.5 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

€8,400

Photography, Eclipse, Leandro Franco

Eclipse

Leandro Franco

Photography - 50 x 50 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€800

Photography, Paris, Nebulosa

Paris

Nebulosa

Photography - 132 x 88 x 1 cm Photography - 52 x 34.6 x 0.4 inch

€3,600

Photography, Jeudi des cendres, Personne

Jeudi des cendres

Personne

Photography - 17.5 x 23 x 0.1 cm Photography - 6.9 x 9.1 x 0 inch

€90

Photography, Daydream, Romy Pfeifer

Daydream

Romy Pfeifer

Photography - 75 x 100 x 2 cm Photography - 29.5 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

€3,500

Photography, Odysee 5, Monika Reimann

Odysee 5

Monika Reimann

Photography - 100 x 100 x 3 cm Photography - 39.4 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

€13,250

Photography, Full tilt, Richard Kelley

Full tilt

Richard Kelley

Photography - 120 x 80 x 4 cm Photography - 47.2 x 31.5 x 1.6 inch

€575

Photography, Untitled, Anja Schwörer

Untitled

Anja Schwörer

Photography - 25 x 18 x 0.1 cm Photography - 9.8 x 7.1 x 0 inch

€500

Photography, untitled, Vanessa Henn

untitled

Vanessa Henn

Photography - 30 x 21 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 8.3 x 0 inch

€600

Photography, Mediodía, Gisela Gaffoglio

Mediodía

Gisela Gaffoglio

Photography - 70 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

€900

Photography, L'eau I, Sérgio Ranalli

L'eau I

Sérgio Ranalli

Photography - 150 x 100 cm Photography - 59.1 x 39.4 inch

€2,500

Photography, Sillon Vert, Kathia Mohl

Sillon Vert

Kathia Mohl

Photography - 125 x 83 x 3 cm Photography - 49.2 x 32.7 x 1.2 inch

€2,450

Photography, Stone Series 1, GK Austin II

Stone Series 1

GK Austin II

Photography - 76.2 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Photography - 30 x 20 x 1 inch

€3,463

Photography, L1000247 1, Eru Narayana

L1000247 1

Eru Narayana

Photography - 111.8 x 144.8 cm Photography - 44 x 57 inch

€17,089

Photography, Big B'Oom, RicO

Big B'Oom

RicO

Photography - 55 x 55 x 1.5 cm Photography - 21.7 x 21.7 x 0.6 inch

€1,800

Photography, Magenta, Christian Lefevre

Magenta

Christian Lefevre

Photography - 75 x 100 x 0.3 cm Photography - 29.5 x 39.4 x 0.1 inch

€940

Photography, Banyuls, Claude Billès

Banyuls

Claude Billès

Photography - 60 x 110 x 2 cm Photography - 23.6 x 43.3 x 0.8 inch

€1,900

Photography, Structure, Kseniia Redina

Structure

Kseniia Redina

Photography - 60 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch

€80

Photography, L'exquise, Joanna Mouton

L'exquise

Joanna Mouton

Photography - 70 x 50 x 0.5 cm Photography - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

€350

Photography, #IR_3459, Paolo Salmaso

#IR_3459

Paolo Salmaso

Photography - 50 x 75 x 0.4 cm Photography - 19.7 x 29.5 x 0.2 inch

€650

Photography, Reflexions, Ana Zegheanu

Reflexions

Ana Zegheanu

Photography - 20 x 20 x 0.02 cm Photography - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€160

Photography, Pas, Hervé Pezzini

Pas

Hervé Pezzini

Photography - 50 x 75 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 29.5 x 0.4 inch

€445

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Discover the selection of our experts

Painting, Orangeade, Âme Sauvage

Orangeade

Âme Sauvage

Painting - 80 x 80 x 2.4 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.9 inch

€800

Painting, Victoria, Gaëlle Wagner

Victoria

Gaëlle Wagner

Painting - 40 x 40 x 4 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.6 inch

€690 €546

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.