Lady Liberty in a New Light: Abstract Photography
I took a trip to the Statue of Liberty with a goal in mind: to present this iconic symbol of hope and freedom in a different way through abstract photography.
Finding the Best Spot
I wanted a composition that included both the statue and the sun. So before leaving for Liberty Island, I needed to find the perfect spot where the camera could capture both the Statue of Liberty and the sun at the same time. After researching using The Photographer’s Ephemeris app, I figured out the only way to do this while being on the island was for the sun to be almost directly overhead.
The Big Day
The app said around 3pm would be the time when the sun was overhead. On the day of the trip, I took the morning ferry in order to have plenty of time to check things out. Per the app’s advice, I positioned myself almost under the statue and found Lady Liberty towering overhead. This was fine since it went with the abstract nature I was after.
Using Filters to Make It More Abstract
I used two on-camera glass filters to help make the image more abstract. These filters are beyond the usual neutral density and polarizing filters. They are meant for adding more artistic flourishes to images. I started using them a couple of months ago. I know most of this can be done in post-processing but it really helps me to see the results in the field. I also find my photography more enjoyable with the real-time feedback.
The first filter was a diffusion filter. It has a dense amount of sparkles in the glass which disperses bright lights. When the camera is pointed directly at the sun, it softens the sun’s glare and blooms it to create a larger and softer glow.
The second filter was a flare filter. It has parallel lines carved into it that adds distinctive light streaks across the image. In this photo, it added a bold streak across the entire frame which enhanced its abstract nature. This filter rotates like a polarizing filter which changes the direction of the flare. I liked this diagonal angle across the entire frame the best.
Making It Even Better
I still did quite a bit of post-processing after getting home. In particular, the photo directly out of the camera had a blue tint which I found cold and uninviting. To correct this, I added a pink tint.
Contemporary Art Meets History
The final image portrays the Statue of Liberty in silhouette against a backdrop of diffuse and filtered sunlight, with a prominent streak of light adding dynamism to the composition. With the pink tint washing over the scene, this image offers a fresh interpretation of this historical monument.
This was my attempt at blending abstract art with history to tell a story of beauty and freedom.
I hope you like it.
P.S. This image is available as a poster on my Etsy shop. Click here.
P.P.S. The filters I used are from Prism Lens FX. Here are links to the two filters I used. These are affiliate links and I get a commission if a purchase is made. Lucid Dream FX Filter, Flare FX Filter
