IMPERFECT PHOTOS CAN BE GREAT
Don’t delete those photos you think are duds they just might fit the criteria of the latest craze in photography.
IMPERFECT PHOTOGRAPHY
This topic includes a range of styles and techniques in the latest photographers’ challenge. To mention a few: Wabi Sabi, ICM Impressionism, Abstract, Blurry and Out of Focus Photography.
Basically it is a style of photography that allows you to break the rules, to be creative and experimental to make an image, which is a photographic piece of art.
WABI SABI is a traditional Japanese aesthetic of beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and the natural. If you find old and aged things as beautiful (the wrinkles of old people or decaying old buildings), that is “wabi-sabi.”
Old man, old flower,old buildings
Wabi-sabi in photography can be split into 3 main types - photography of the overlooked beauty, photography of worn and weathered beauty, and adding imperfections.
Overlooked Beauty
To see this beauty often requires thinking in a more abstract way. You need to look at an item or scene not as an item / scene, but rather look at the shapes, tones, patterns, and colors.
Leaves, shadows, Dunes fence
Worn and Weathered Beauty
But if you look at things close-up, there are an almost endless variety of subjects. The stains on an old baking tray. The patterns on the surface of dirty washing-up water. Rust and dirt on old tools.
Tools, Bricks, lock
Adding Imperfections
Probably the least discussed interpretation of wabi-sabi is that of adding imperfections to an image on purpose. There are two reasons that this may be done - to add beauty to the image through the imperfections, or to make the image more realistic. You can add a background and make it grainy to make it look more realistic.
Trees, sunset, Portrait,
Other technical imperfections such as high levels of image noise / grain, overly bright or dark exposures, subjects partly cut off at the edge of the frame, camera at an angle, extremely high or low contrast, and more, can all be used to make an image that is actually more pleasing to the eye than if it was technically perfect.
Wet street, raindrops leaf, high key boat, flower, fountain
One of the most common ways to add imperfection is to use a slow shutter speed and movement to add blur.
This is called ICM photography. (Intentional Camera Movement) ICM allows you to create an intentional blur, remove clutter, or even completely decompose the complexity of a scene into mere blocks of rough shapes, tones and colours.It can be achieved by moving the camera or a moving subject.
Camera Movement
Panning. Move the camera sideways or up and down while pressing the shutter button. A good tip is to use a 2 sec. timer to give you time to move.
up and down, girls dancing, flowers
Zooming. Zoom at the same time as pressing the shutter button. Use the timer to help.
Flower, Bridge, South Bank
Rotation. Rotate the camera at the same time as taking the shot. Use timer.
Rotate, lorikeet, flower
Whipping. This is using combinations of the above techniques.
Whipping
Subject Movement
Use slow shutter speed while photographing a moving object. A person, a vehicle, wind in the trees. It is a good tip to use a tripod.
Bill, Bird, Rain, Skier
The difference between Blurry and Unfocused Photos
Blur occurs during an exposure when the camera and/or subject moves.
Blurry images are directional or streaky, while unfocused images are fuzzy.
Blurry photography introduces dynamic movement to an image, while unfocused photography distributes soft renderings of light and colour.
Xmas decoration, flower
To make unfocused photography, use a wide aperture for a very shallow depth of field and/or use distance and manual focus to keep sharpness down.
Of course, there are degrees of unfocused or blurry imagery. An unfocused image could still have elements nearing sharpness. Likewise, a blurry image could have aspects of near-stillness.
Flowers, city
How blurry or unfocused an image is will be up to you and the incidental whims of the photographic process.
flowers, lights
Why make blurry/unfocused shots
Colour and Light.
Blurry and unfocused imagery strips a photograph back to the bare bones of colour and light, generating an abstracted visual study of the environment around us.
We assign specific properties to different colours too. For example, yellow is paired with joy and blue with sorrow.
Because of this, blurred and unfocused depictions of colour and light draw connections with viewers through powerful emotional associations.
Macro flower
Art History
Many artists have transcended the rigidity of the representative, instead, focusing on the event of light, colour, and form. Artists like Rothko, Frankenthaler and Landfield painted imperfect artworks with colour conveying the sublime. Blurry and unfocused photography makes images that are rooted in the history of visual art.
This history strengthens a blurry or unfocused image, giving it form and a conceptual standing of its own.
Abstract
Both incidental and intentionally blurred and unfocused imagery can take on the life of the abstract. Like an abstract painting, unfocused and blurry photography reflects the viewer’s own impressions and associations.
Painting, unfocused photography
Impressionism
Likewise many photographers copy the impressionist artists. They use ICM to create impressionist photos.
Beach, street, boats
Fun
Unfocused or blurry photography is a little like finger-painting; part of the fun is in relinquishing the paintbrush and allowing the artistic impulse to guide your fingers.
Fresh colour combinations, new approaches to the subject matter, engaging camera motions…experimenting with blurry and unfocused photography is a great way to discover new angles to incorporate into your future photography.
Blurred and unfocused photography may seem like a strange approach to photography, however, letting go and experimenting with your camera is one of the most enjoyable and educational parts of photographic practice.
Moreover, blurry or unfocused photography can create engaging visual experiences that reflect the physical nature of seeing.
By experimenting with blurred or unfocused photographic practices, you can generate an abstract perspective that is both engaging and unique.
Movement-face, zoom-water lily
Other Ways to Create Imperfect Photography (Dalibro)
Double exposure can be done in Photoshop or some cameras have that option built in.
bird of paradise, flower, head
Exposure Blending with ICM using layers in Photoshop
Tree
In the Round. Taking many, like 26, sharp photos from different angles and blending them together.
Tree
Daring Edits. Be experimental in editing. Change colours, flip, rotate use way out filters.
Colours, flower, canyon
Selective Focus. Focus on a small part of the photo not necessarily on the main subject. Play with focus. Blur in the foreground as well as in the background.
Pink flowers, dark flower, neighbours chatting
Use DIY Filters
Photographing through glass, cover lens with household stuff like stockings,magnifying glass, cling wrap smeared with Vaseline, cellophane, plastic bottle.
Leaves, flowers
Long Exposure need ND filter unless at night, need tripod or timer.
Blind Shooting. Lengthen camera strap and dangle camera at hip. Shoot from the hip as you walk.
Upset Camera Settings. Turn off noise reduction, use high ISO to make it grainy, change White Balance to get different tones, over expose, under expose, play with picture style settings.
Conclusion
You will take hundreds of shots before you are happy with one.
Sara Crowe says,” Why bother seeking imperfection? You will learn new techniques evolve your photography, liberate your creativity, challenge yourself, enjoy the fun of experimenting. Shift your perspective so that emotion, atmosphere, mood, experience the moment, finding the unexpected take priority over perfection. Seeking out different kinds of beauty adds to the sum total of beauty in your life.”
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