Texture can be used to enhance images. This article shows how texture can be used with logs, plants, and trees to create impressive images.

Logs

Logs are one of the easiest objects to use for creating texture images. This is because they have two characteristics that lend themselves to texture photography: contrast and curves.

The first thing to look for when scouting out logs for texture photography is the contrast. It is necessary to start with a log that has enough contrast to grab a viewer’s attention. This usually means that a log must have a grain that has contrast. The second thing to look for is a set of curves. These can be either leading or non-leading curves. The important thing is that the curves add to the image in some way.

An image of a log can frequently be enhanced by including something from the environment that surrounds the log. The most likely objects for this will be flowers or vegetation.

Often, side light works well to help emphasis the contrast in the grain. However, side light is not always necessary. This is particularly true if some drama can be added to an image in some other way. For instance, when old logs get wet, the wood can sometimes become darker and take on a more moody feel. This works great for texture photography. In addition, when objects (such as the flowers or vegetation already mentioned) contrast in tone or color with the wood, this may add all the drama that is needed.

Plants

Plants are great for texture photography because they are everywhere. That means that you don’t need to travel someplace to get some great shots. All you have to do is visit your backyard.

There are so many characteristics of plants that can be used to create interesting texture images. Of course, the first thing to look for is good texture. This is usually pretty easy to find in a garden. However, you don’t want to stop there. After some plants that have good texture have been found, you should look for other aspects of the plants that can be used to create an even better image.

One of the things for which one should look is any interesting curves. Often, this comes in the form of curves formed by the edges of leaves or curves that result from plant stems. The next thing that should be considered is color. Color demands a viewer’s attention. Thus, the more saturated the color, the more interested people will likely be in an image. Even better than color is contrasting color. Contrasting color can really make an image come alive.

The best light for plant photography is usually a diffuse light. That means that great plant shots can be captured on overcast days or early/late in the day when the garden is in shadow.

The seasons play an important part in plant photography. Spring produces beautiful, lush greens. Autumn can produce stunning fall colors (depending on where you live). Unfortunately, summer and winter are less ideal for plant photography as the plants are less vibrant at that time.

Trees

Trees provide a rich variety of texture photography opportunities. Great texture images can be created from the leaves, bark, or roots. When using the leaves as texture photography subject matter, the guidelines pretty much follow those covered in the Plants section directly above. In other words, one should look for interesting curves, color, and color contrast. Furthermore, the best light is often produced by overcast conditions that create a soft, diffuse light.

The bark of trees often has great texture. Furthermore, the texture commonly forms an irregular pattern. This can create some great subject matter for texture photography. Of course, in this case, it is necessary to move in close enough to concentrate on the bark. However, there is one problem that can occur when photographing the bark. As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, while patterns can often capture a viewer’s interest, simple patterns can sometimes fail to hold that interest for very long. Consequently, it is best to figure out a way to add some interest to the pattern. This is often fairly easy with tree bark. All that may be necessary is to break the pattern. This can be done by finding some irregularity in the bark (such as a knot).

With some trees, roots can be the most interesting part of the tree for texture photography. This is because of the interesting patterns that roots can form. The key here is to find a tree with exposed roots. These roots can form jagged, irregular curves that can add a sinister or menacing mood to an image. Side light may help to strengthen this mood. However, this sinister/menacing mood can sometimes be captured even with diffuse light.

Summary

If this article gave you any ideas, it is time to grab your camera and held out to capture some eye-catching, texture images. For more information on texture photography, see Texture Photography.

The point of any photo is to draw the attention of the viewers. Now, there are numerous ways to achieve this. Some images depend on dazzling color. Another method that is very popular is the use of leading curves. Other images rely on dramatic scenery. On the other hand, there exists a method that is quite often overlooked. That method is the use of texture. Thus, the purpose of this article is to cover the fundamentals of texture photography.

Let’s start off with a definition of texture photography. For this article, texture photography is defined as any photography that uses texture to add impact to images.

Types of Texture Photography

There are three principal types of texture photography that will be dealt with in this article: detail, drama, and information.

Detail: With this type of texture photography, the detail in the surface of the object being photographed is the most important aspect of an image. The actual object is of lower value. When this technique is employed, the image is often taken as a macro shot in order to move in very close to emphasize the detail or as a partial object shot where only a section of the object is photographed. An example of this type of texture image would be a close-up of the patterns observed in aged rock formations.

Side light usually works very well with detail texture images as it improves the detail.

Drama: With this second approach to texture photography, the texture is utilized to add drama to an image. Here, the texture is not necessarily the most significant element of an image. Rather, texture is just one aspect of an image that helps to enhance the image.

A key point is that, typically, the contrast or color of the texture serves to seize the viewer’s interest. So, it is essential to select a subject that has good color or contrast.

Images of cliffs along the beach offer one example of this type of texture photography.

An important point is that side light works well with these images.

Information: The third type of texture photography utilizes texture to help communicate information about an image. In an information texture image, the texture tells part of the tale of the image by communicating something about the image. For instance, the aged, weathered wood in a ghost town building clearly communicates the age and history of the dated structure.

When creating information texture images, it is important to compose the photo so that the texture can properly convey the story of the image. This will help to create a stronger image.

One last point is that the texture in an information texture image should help support the center of interest not overwhelm it.

Synopsis

The subject of texture photography is much broader than what this brief write-up can cover. A great deal more can be learned about texture photography. To further explore the field of texture photography, click Texture Photography.

A number of great techniques for creating abstract images are introduced in this article: blur, zooming in, partial image, and Photoshop filters. Once the techniques have been learned, they may be applied to a variety of subject matter to produce amazing abstract images.

Blur

The first technique is the deliberate blurring of objects. Not all photos work well with this technique. The images that do work best are the ones that possess a dreamy feel. Therefore, it is important to select the subject matter carefully.

This technique can be carried out in a number of ways. Perhaps the simplest way is to use a soft focus lens. However, this is also the costliest method. Affixing a soft focus filter to a regular lens creates a similar effect. An inexpensive method is to just stretch panty hose over the front of a lens. Of course, the blur can always be added during image editing with Photoshop (or any other editing software).

Zooming In

To make use of this technique, a zoom lens is required. This technique utilizes a long shutter speed. While the shutter is open, the focal length of the lens is changed. A lot of photographers start at a wide angle. Then, they zoom into a narrower angle.

With this particular technique, there are a few essential points. When using this technique, a tripod is really required. Without a tripod, the photo will be blurred by camera motion. A strong center of interest is needed. If the image has a week center of interest, the image can end up just being a blur of lines. Keeping these points in mind can help to enhance your abstract photos.

Photographing a Partial Object

This technique does not photograph an entire object. Rather, the photographer isolates just a section of an object. Then, that section is photographed. The objective is to isolate the most intriguing part of an object.

Abstract Images with Photoshop Filters

Another solution is to add the abstract effect in the computer. For this method, Photoshop can be used. The filters in Photoshop are a good way to do this. Simply use the Filter menu to access the filters. The key here is to experiment with the different filters. Then, you can pick the filter that produces the best results.

Summary

These techniques are very useful in creating beautiful abstract images. The next step is to get your camera. Then, you just need to head out to create some wonderful images. These techniques are merely the start. If you would like to discover more about abstract photography, just click Abstract Photography Methods. Good luck with your abstract photography.