If you are the type of person that finds shapes in clouds and concepts in your daydreams, then surrealist photography is the perfect creative genre of photography for you! Surrealist photography captures all that can be envisioned from your surrealist imagination. Let’s explore the sometimes irrational but extraordinary genre of surreal photography!
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What Is surrealist photography
Surrealist photography depicts normal scenarios in an unusual style. The concepts of surrealism emerge from nothing more than the creativity of the photographer which focuses on combining two or more elements at random, generating a meaningful photographic outcome. Bizarre pictures, strange shapes, odd colours, and unnatural editing just makes surreal photography all the more challenging and interesting.
TO LOVE SURREALIST PHOTOGRAPHY IS TO LOVE WHAT COMES FROM WITHIN YOUR IMAGINATION
Definition
The definition of surrealist photography would be anything that is abstractly captures and provides a meaningful message. Surrealism as a concept that began post the first world war when Parisians looked into their bizarre daydreams and stared deep down within themselves rather than face the brutal reality of life at the time and decided to bring their thoughts to paper.
Most of the early surrealists were writers and painters. Nowadays photography has become one of the best ways to put forth surreal artistic ideas.
Surrealist photography gives you complete liberty to explore the artistic depths of your imagination.
Techniques of surrealist photography
There are thousands of ways and unique techniques that you can develop by yourself. Surrealist photography gives you complete liberty to explore the artistic depths of your imagination. Here are a few techniques that will help inspire the surrealist in you!
Go underwater
Of course, you would need professional gear and professional models/swimmers for this kind of photography. Underwater portraits provide a very different texture and feel to the composition. Explore different types of underwater compositions and scenes by experimenting in lakes, beaches and riversides.
Distortion
A lot of images speak to the photographer’s concept and interpretation, but a few also urge the viewers to expand on their thoughts. Distorting images is one such form which gives your viewers the liberty to imagine and fill-in the gaps of your imagination with their own perspectives.
You can use frosted glass or gel paper to highlight different colours and characteristics in your images. Photoshop and other photo manipulation software are also useful tools wherein you can distort and also really bring your imagination into the photographic artwork.
Blacklight
Using projectors or black lights will help you explore more options in surrealism. You can create whatever environment you desire with the assistance of a projector. Funky and conceptual makeup or face art would also facilitate and convey a stronger message of your thoughts.
Furthering your surrealism
These are just some tools and equipment that could help in capturing some surreal concepts. There are many more techniques such as resizing, relocating, warping and a lot more that could be used to implement your visions.
Surrealist photography techniques
Similar to the outcome of unusual imagery, the process of creating surreal photography art is also unique! Here’s a few more ideas on creating surrealist photography.
Select your concept
The concept or the creative vision of a photographer is the most important aspect of surrealist photography. Find your vision and the thoughts that you want to express through your images. Once you have decided on a story or concept that you want to convey, think about the elements that you could use while portraying it. This will give you a clear indication of how to proceed.
Elements
You can combine bizarre and unusual elements and play with the imagery in post-processing. Some examples could include, a morning moon, a black apple, a clock in reverse, time travel, and many other bizarre concepts, which can be showcased with effective photography and post-processing skills.
Create a mood board
It is unlikely that you would find references relating to your concept if you have chosen elements that are exceptionally unique or those that have been drawn from the depths of your imagination or fantastical thoughts.
If you do find something that closely represents what you envision, then include those images in your mood board. Otherwise, you can always sketch your imagination and thoughts onto paper so that you can have a clear idea about what you want as an outcome.
Choose your subjects
You can combine three, four or as many elements into a picture as you like, including using a human model as your subject. If you do select a model you will need to ensure that they understand the thoughts and emotions of your concept before you begin the photography session so that their expressions can also convey your thoughts effectively.
If you are selecting inanimate objects then ensure you select a proper location, frames and lighting as these can make or tarnish your art.
Post processing
With post processing, you can add more of your thoughts into the design. Another way of getting your desired outcome is to also plan your editing process in advance. When we create a mood board and select concepts, you should also think about post processing, the process of exact shots, angles and lighting along with elements to add to the concept during post processing.
How To make money through surrealist photography
Photography is an intensifying and thriving sector with the proliferation of digital media. Selling your art as stock images is a way to earn income through surrealist photography. You can always invest in quality gear and aim to publish your surrealist art in magazines or editorials that are interested in such kind of work.
Don’t forget to create a social media presence! It can act as a constantly updated portfolio for surrealist photographers. Once you have a good quality of images, approaching brands for collaboration could also be another way to earn some income through surrealist photography, provided your concepts resonate with the brand image.
Surrealist photographers can also publish works in the form of magazines and art workbooks with explanations of their imagery to vocalize their concepts and talents. Securing positions at quality art and photography exhibitions or hosting some of your own exhibitions can be another way to market and gain exposure and recognition of the work.
Develop your fantasies
You are now all set and ready to begin your surrealist journey. It’s time to say goodbye to the realms of reality and hug your dream fantasies!
Surrealist Photography Portfolio
Build a website portfolio for your artistic surrealist images and display them on your social media accounts at TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
How strange is surrealist photography!
Surrealist photography ideas come from deep in one's imagination.