3 Reasons Why Semi-Abstract Landscapes Stand Out Over Traditional Landscape Photography
An image such as this usually provokes more thought and conversation than a traditional landscape photograph
Many landscape photographers see realism as the ultimate goal
Landscape photographers are typically taught to go to classic viewpoints and wait for the best possible weather. I admire the perseverance shown by such photographers, who often rise early and travel hours to a location, only to find that the weather does not co-operate!
The standard landscape photography creative process often results in images that are technically extremely accomplished. But the images do tend to look rather formulaic. One can see many variations of the same composition by different photographers. And one photographer’s approach to composition and post-processing is often applied to many different locations.
Personally, I feel that these sorts of image lack soul. They don’t really evoke the emotions of the landscape. However, they are usually feted by the photographic community. If you want to win competitions, you must play by the conventional rules of photography. Experimentation is not encouraged.
So why would one choose semi-abstract, expressionist photography over the landscapes that win photography awards?
There is a growing community of photographers that take a very different approach to landscape photography. Here are three reasons why their work should be considered seriously and why many prefer their work to traditional landscape photography:
A semi-abstract approach evokes emotion and imagination
A good semi-abstract landscape is a piece of expressionist art.
“Expressionist art refers to the expression of subjective emotions, inner experiences and spiritual themes, as opposed to realistic depictions of people or nature.” (From Expressionism – Tate Gallery)
An expressionist photographer wants to say something about how they feel about the landscape. It is more than just an attempt to depict the landscape in a literal way.
They also aim to evoke sentiments from the viewer about the landscape. The viewer will be inspired to think more deeply about the scene in front of them and how they feel about it. A good image may also provoke memories as well.
Expressionist images celebrate details you might miss
A good expressionist image will often draw out one aspect of the landscape. My work of Dartmoor often celebrates the patterns in the rock, the texture of the grasses, the movement of the trees.
Many traditional landscapes do not hone in on the same details. They concentrate on the wider vista. There is so much contained in the image, all equally pin sharp, that the viewer finds it hard to concentrate on a single aspect of what is in front of them.
These types of image create more interest in your home
Conventional landscapes don’t always inspire as much as one would wish when displayed. People may tend to try to work out where a view is but then pass on. An image may create a brief conversation if the viewer recognises the location. But such conversation is usually about the viewer’s experience of the place rather than the image.
An expressionist view encourages people to look longer at an image. Because it is about feeling, rather than just depicting a place, these images tend to provoke more discussion. In addition, the viewer is rewarded by returning to an image again and again. Each time, they may see a new aspect, discover alternative emotions from the image and discover different ways to view and interpret the image.
Semi-abstract landscapes are coming of age
This is a movement which is gradually gaining traction. It has taken time for photography to adopt expressionism, and there will still be many people who disagree with my arguments in the article.
Many photographers are trying to depict something different to a traditional landscape. The results often certainly do not look like typical photography! Indeed, many people who look at my work take some time to work out that it has been made with a camera.
Check out my semi-abstract landscapes
You can see some of my latest work here. Please send me your comments, either on this article or on my work. I would welcome further dialogue.