What is conceptual photography? It is photography of a concept i.e. idea, idea that is illustrated and conveyed through a photograph.
It is more about the message of a photo than about what is in the photo. Some artists intend to be clear in their messages, in illustration of their ideas, and some do not care if they will be understood or misinterpreted.
You have seen conceptual photography in advertising, in social critique, in political messages, but it is also used in contemporary conceptual art.
You may take different approaches to this challenge:
You may first come up with an idea that you want to illustrate, create a scene using some universally known objects that may act as symbols such as eggs, ping pong balls, chess figures, matchsticks and such. It does not have to be a complicated image composed of several shots to create a surreal setting, and you don’t need to manipulate reality using Photoshop like some famous conceptual photographers. You can keep things fairly simple to achieve an effective result – transmitting a message.
Alternatively, you may offer a photograph of a scene that you stumbled upon outside the house that you feel conveys a strong message. And the third approach would be to simply photograph a piece of conceptual art that you captured with your lens in which case you would act as an intermediary in the transmission of a concept.
(My idea for this challenge was to give you a theme that you might do at home, and maybe for some of you the first push to venture into the field of photography that you haven’t done before).
What inspired me to buy a bag of gummy bears and to arrange them by colour were parliamentarian elections in the country – the tight race between two main parties – the left wing and the right wing, each of them pulling in opposite direction and watching only their own interests.
Segregation
Here are some links where you can read more about conceptual photography.
Thanks for the intellectual challenge. I’ll be rereading your outline and visiting the links. I love your conceptual photo. Jelly babies are a great image of politicians to start with – featureless and blobby and cloned and mindless (mostly) and your arrangement says so much about politics. I long for bi-partisan action on things that matter.
Hey, Paula. I am reading your post on my Kindle but the main text is such a light grey font, I can barely read it. I don’t know if this is common or just me. ☺
Genius! Such a good idea, Paula 🙂 I can just gaze and gaze at them, shuffling along as the light catches them. Shame it’s inspired by such a dismal thing. I see a parallel with Tobias’ models too. Wonderful work. You’ve earned a few days off! Sending hugs 🙂 Who’s singing?
I’d eat both the left- and the right wing (I guess that would make me a dictator on a sugar rush).
I love this challenge. Actually I started on a conceptual photo 2 days ago. I haven’t finished it yet, but I will now. 🙂
As Meg pointed out, you have given us an intellectual challenge here. As you know, I don’t like to be defeated, and it might be just as well you’ve given us a couple of weeks!! Great image by the way, and as Jo said, shame it was inspired by such gloomy events
Is it Thursday already?
Your photo is great – I say that spontaneusly, without having read a word. Yet.
And now I’ll read.
And then I’ll see what I can come up with.
Happy Thursday
I’ve had a thought in my head for the last week and after several attempts at visualising it I have come up with an image for you. It will be live on Tuesday 20th – just in time! Hope you like it! And I hope it fits the brief…
I know you’re off-line just now, Paula. Hope you’re having a break and not over-working. I’m afraid my entry for this challenge is a bit dotty, but I thought it would make you smile. Take care, my dear. http://wp.me/pKVAM-27C
joli ce montage et “ségrégation” était le meilleur choix de titre pour cette photo !
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🙂 Salut, Marc.
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Hello Paula
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Thanks for the intellectual challenge. I’ll be rereading your outline and visiting the links. I love your conceptual photo. Jelly babies are a great image of politicians to start with – featureless and blobby and cloned and mindless (mostly) and your arrangement says so much about politics. I long for bi-partisan action on things that matter.
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Thank you very much, Meg. You have made such a great analysis of them 😀
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Hey, Paula. I am reading your post on my Kindle but the main text is such a light grey font, I can barely read it. I don’t know if this is common or just me. ☺
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The light font was chosen because the background of my blog theme is dark grey on a desktop.
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Ah. Best to leave it then. Against a white background hard to read.
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I’ve darkened it a bit.
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I’ll change it to a darker colour when I am at my computer.
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How interesting! I like it! It co
This could be a poster that both shows what segregation is — and how stupid it is.
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🙂 Great, Marilyn. I am very glad that you like it.
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Genius! Such a good idea, Paula 🙂 I can just gaze and gaze at them, shuffling along as the light catches them. Shame it’s inspired by such a dismal thing. I see a parallel with Tobias’ models too. Wonderful work. You’ve earned a few days off! Sending hugs 🙂 Who’s singing?
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Yes, it is something I’ve had ready for a long time, but was reluctant to put it as a challenge. It’s Dave Matthews.
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It’s a great challenge, and I know a number of your friends are well equipped to rise to it. Take care!
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Wonderful conceptual photo! ….though quite difficult , I’ll try to play in this challenge….
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Thanks, Anna. You have two weeks to do it. I hope it helps.
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I’d eat both the left- and the right wing (I guess that would make me a dictator on a sugar rush).
I love this challenge. Actually I started on a conceptual photo 2 days ago. I haven’t finished it yet, but I will now. 🙂
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I would like you to eat them alive :D. I look forward to seeing it, Max.
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I’m pretty sure I made myself perfectly clear in my entry this week.
There’s absolutely no way that such a message can be misunderstood! 😀 😀
https://cardinalguzman.wordpress.com/2016/12/08/conceptual-photography/
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😆 It will be interesting to read all the comments!
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Shit, no yellow left what a cruel world… 🙂
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Indeed 😀
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Love this, Paula, for all the reasons everyone said above. Great work indeed. I also like eating gummy bears.
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Be my guest; feel free to devour them all – right and left alike 😀 And thank you, Tish 🙂
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Yum. Nothing like a tasty self-serving politician 🙂
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😆
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As Meg pointed out, you have given us an intellectual challenge here. As you know, I don’t like to be defeated, and it might be just as well you’ve given us a couple of weeks!! Great image by the way, and as Jo said, shame it was inspired by such gloomy events
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Thank you, Sue. I am sure you will not be defeated 🙂
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Who knows!
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Is it Thursday already?
Your photo is great – I say that spontaneusly, without having read a word. Yet.
And now I’ll read.
And then I’ll see what I can come up with.
Happy Thursday
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Thank you, Tobias. I knew I could count on you 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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Gosh this IS a new concept. It may take me a while to get my head around, if indeed I do. Love your Gummy politicians!
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Thank you, Jude. It would be cool to see your interpretation. In any case there is more time this time to respond 🙂
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I’ve had a thought in my head for the last week and after several attempts at visualising it I have come up with an image for you. It will be live on Tuesday 20th – just in time! Hope you like it! And I hope it fits the brief…
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I am sure I will love it 🙂
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I love this idea as well, but not sure I can come up with the goods!
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🙂 Thank you, Gilly. You’ll see if you feel like playing and exploring, no pressure on my side ;). The deadline is in two weeks.
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Done it! Something just came to me. https://lucidgypsy.com/2016/12/11/conceptual-photography/
🙂
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Perfect! Thank you, Gilly 🙂
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Great idea, P. And the wheels are turning in my mind….I’m in….
have a nice pause amiga (and nice idea with the gummies)
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Hi – I “think” i got the idea down (and this was super fun, but the way…thanks)
https://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2016/12/13/concept-art-coffee-cup-sizes-get-larger-every-year/
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Yes, it is absolutely brilliant. I am so very glad that I am responsible for your entry 😀 Thank you, Y and see you soon. xx
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well woo hoo
and have a great four days away my friend – take care
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What you can do with gummy bears 🙂 Good image, Paula.
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Thank you very much, Lynne 🙂
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I know you’re off-line just now, Paula. Hope you’re having a break and not over-working. I’m afraid my entry for this challenge is a bit dotty, but I thought it would make you smile. Take care, my dear. http://wp.me/pKVAM-27C
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🙂 Thank you, Tish. I hope you’ll be here around Christmas too. I was working, but managed to squeeze a very nice weekend by the sea 🙂
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Hope this is on time. I never seem to make it. 🙂 https://3rsofretirement.com/2016/12/21/thursdays-special-conceptual-photography/
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It’s wonderful and you are just in time. Thanks a lot, Marie.
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Good article https://onemanoneclick.wordpress.com/
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Which one?
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About conceptual Photography !!
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Glad you like it. You may join some of the photo challenges if you like.
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Oh Sure !!!
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can you send me the links for the photo challenge
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Thank you for the interest Natty. I posted one yesterday. Here is the link https://bopaula.wordpress.com/2017/01/12/thursdays-special-unfocused/ I post them twice a week, on Thursday it is photo challenge in colour, and on Sunday the photo challenge is reserved for black and white photos https://bopaula.wordpress.com/2017/01/08/black-white-sunday-passage/ For both there is a week time to answer. Please ask if you need more information. Cheers, Paula
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Wow great !! sure my part will be there
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