Rexer: Abstraction in Photography: Picture Nothing

In this chapter of Rexer's book, he addresses the art of abstract photography and discusses how abstraction fits within the realm of photography in general. The tricky thing with abstact photography is that it does not necessarily capture the same kind of image that conventional photography does. While conventional photography may capture a beautiful landscape, abstract photography does not tend to focus on images that can be captured in reality. As I sit here trying to explain exactly what abstraction is I find it really difficult. To me it just simply feels like a non-conventional approach to a medium. Both conventional and abstract photography have the goal to convey deeper thoughts and meaning to the viewer. It may seem paradoxical, but to me abstract images are more direct in what they convey. Since they cannot reproduce images that exist in reality they have to cut directly to representing figures that can just as easily express that emotion. In regards to abstract photography Rexer explains that "Nothing is pictured except what is. Everything is given so that meaning can be made and the viewer's presence affirmed" (121). Abstraction still has the ability to give meaning to the viewer, but has an unconventional way of approaching it.