Conceptual photography is an art form in itself. In much the same way as a painter would conceptualize a painting to capture a specific idea or theme, conceptual photography showcases the photographer’s artistic talents. Rather than a realistic picture, the photograph is often more a demonstration of an idea or concept. The photographs are frequently dramatic, capturing a split second or moment in time. Often, digital enhancement and editing are required to achieve the final effect. A conceptual photograph will tell a story, capture an emotion or throw out an idea for the observer to draw their own conclusions
What Makes Conceptual Photography Unique?
With photography, you get to capture a single moment in time and that single moment can tell a story or share a wealth of emotions depending on how the shot is captured. Conceptual photographers play with images and ideas in order to portray a specific meaning. For example, it could be a photograph of someone running through a fountain as it sprays up. Usually, this is an image that would be only a fleeting observation. When captured in a still form, it has quite a dramatic effect. These types of stills are often used in advertising campaigns as they are most effective in getting a single idea across to the audience. Conceptual photography shows more clearly the photographer’s interpretation of a subject matter. For some photographers, this is what makes it so special. They sit behind the lens of their camera and deliberately choose their angle and lighting as well as what they want to include in the shot. Each photograph almost has their personal stamp on it.
What Applications Are Conceptual Photographs Used For?
Conceptual photography is a favorite with fashion stylists. Usually, a fashion line has a specific theme or concept to it and this is something that the fashion designer wants portrayed in the photographs. Perhaps the theme incorporates only specific colors. In a conceptual photograph, the background could be shot in black and white or sepia to bring out the colors of the clothing or the fact that the clothing line has an antique feel about it. In other types of conceptual photographs, colors may be enhanced to make the subject matter more appealing. This is usually the case when photographing food. Think of the incredible shots that you see in magazines and recipe books. Most of these are examples of conceptual photographs. They may show a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce dripping off the spoon. In this way, conceptual photography can be used to make the subject matter more enticing. Hotels and resorts may also use conceptual photography to capture the idea of what it would be like to stay there. Clear blue skies, waving palm trees, and people enjoying a spa treatment or massages are all examples of conceptual photographs.
Interior design companies, builders or architects may use conceptual photography to put across their design ideas in a more deliberate way. A standard photograph may show a stylish room or interior; however, a conceptual photograph can focus on just a single element of design and enhance it. Making just one element the focus of the photograph often better showcases the artistic talent. For example, in an interior, the designer may have chosen specifically contrasting fabrics with the walls and furniture. A broad picture of the room won’t show this but a close-up shot showing the contrasts will. This is why conceptual photography is so often used in the design industry. Advertising is, of course, the one industry where conceptual photography is most widely used. In a way, it incorporates all the above fields of applications as what is often being photographed is for an advertisement or brochure.
Understanding Conceptual Photography
Sometimes when you first look at a conceptual photograph it may not make sense to you. Often, this is because it shows a side to something that you are not familiar with or would not place in a still picture. When looking at a conceptual photograph, you often need to study it, in much the same way as you would study a painting or sculpture. When you look more closely, the concept of the photograph starts to reveal itself and you can get an idea of what the photographer is trying to portray. A conceptual photograph is often multi-dimensional, putting forward different ideas and viewpoints than you may normally have considered. It makes you stop and think, and this is one of the reasons why it is considered an art form.