Tips for playground abstracts... by reflexio

As I have a couple of young kids, I spend the odd moment at a playground.

Whilst this is a good opportunity for photograph kids, it also represents a great opportunity for a bit of abstract photography.

You’ll find that playgrounds are often full of lively colours and shapes, which make a perfect content for abstract photography.

Below are a couple of recent photographs from playgrounds…

I find the best time of day is late afternoon or early morning, when the light is diffused and shadows are not too much of a problem. That is of course unless you are keen to use the shadows as part of the abstract.

I generally use a circular polarising filter to knock the edge off any reflective parts, as there can be quite a few shiny things in a playground.

As with all abstracts, I think it is important to leave something to the imagination, so get close perspectives and use a large aperture to add some depth and perspective to the background.

You might want to consider using part of your kid (e.g. a foot / shoe) as part of the abstract.

Oh, and don’t forget to take some photos of your kids while you are there!