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Using Abstract Photography in Nature to Capture Mood with Kirsten Hines

About Kirsten

Environmentalist, Photographer, World Traveler, and Blogger

Author/Photographer of 5 Books

• Attracting Birds to South Florida Gardens
• Images of Modern America: Biscayne National Park
• Images of America: Key Biscayne
• Birds of Fairchild
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Bird Trail Guide

Photographic influences: Ralph Lee Hopkins, Art Wolfe

“Something about a lack of scale inspires the abstract.”

Using Abstract Techniques to Tell a Story

• Abstract imagery can be a way to explore the environment more deeply in a directed way.
• Abstract techniques allow you to creatively obtain a shot that may otherwise be technically difficult to achieve.
• Look for things that help show what you are experiencing in the moment.

Movement

Patterns, Lines and Shapes

Reflections

Colors – Monochrome or B & W can create a different mood to your image.
Bright colors evoke a different mood than subdued colors.

Clarity – Soft and muted vs. bold and crisp

• Be willing to take the time to play with your settings and try different things.
• Try changing your white balance for different lighting effects.
• Infrared filters can create incredible abstracts.
• Do as much in-camera as possible to capture the moment “as it was”. It’s difficult to go back to the image in post-processing and remember exactly how it felt to be there.

“You don’t just take an amazing photograph, you create an amazing photograph.”

Finding Kirsten

KirstenNatureTravel.com