Surreal photography has been described as photos that appear unusual, disturbing, unreal, artistic distorting, illogical, dream-like and so on. There is an obvious ‘displacement and condensation’ among the photos taken by surrealist artists. Krauss Rosalind described this art form as “pure creations of mind” (Krauss, 1985). In order words, it has always been about “composing” rather than “clicking” images.

Surrealism art world gained its reputation in the early 1920s and the founder of the surrealistic concepts was Andre Breton who has gathered the influence from the Dande movement. The characteristics of surrealism art form differs from commercial or conventional art forms whereby this art form is an expression of basic human instinct and imaginative powers of the unconscious mind. Man Ray, Raoul Ubac and Brassai are the pioneers of this photographic art form.

Thinking Process

To create a surrealist artwork, we need to understand the psychoanalysis distinction between primary and secondary. The primary process thinking is the fundamental mode of experiencing the world at young age to fully grown adults. Whereas secondary thinking process rests on rationality, logic and practicality. Basically, we learn it as we grow up through observing and engaging with traditional forms of education along with social world.

Features of Surreal Photography

*Photos used here are for illustration purposes only

Intensified sharpness, detail, and contrast

The intense sharpness, detail and contrast forces our eyeballs to pay attention to very small details present in the frames. It’s almost as if viewers have hyper-vision like an eagle. This effect can be achieved during the post-processing of photographs where we can boost sharpness, detail and contrasts past the normal ranges into surreal art forms.

Unusual and intensified colours

In the world of surrealism art, colours have somewhat specific ranges of hue and saturation. Things of which are unusual. The grass is not pink and the sky is not purple. That’s the reality. However, during the post-processing of the photo, there are no restrictions. By altering the colours of photos, it is possible to elicit different emotions and symbolic expressions. By doing so, we create a world that reflects our own subjective reality.

Blurs

Blurs can be associated with an unusual modes of perception. For instance, dizziness, rapid movements, falling asleep, drunk and disoriented. During these episodes, world can be seen differently. It’s unclear and does not appear stationary.

These effects can be achieved using a variety of techniques such as spinning, shaking and racking focus; low shutter speed, apertures and so on.

Distortions and Illusions

The camera has the ability to alter reality. For example, wide angle lens have the ability to create strange distortions which can be seen from the above. Such shots can confuse the viewer’s perspectives regarding the direction in which the viewer should be looking.

Blendings and Composites

For photographer, we can create multiple exposures and adding layers on top of each other or adding shots into reflective surfaces such as glass, mirror and metal. When this is done, we can distort and merge scenes, objects and people into the photo. By doing so, we create multiple realities combined into one photo.

References

Click to access brandell_-_ch_3_-_psychoanalytic_theory_1.pdf

https://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/history-of-surreal-photography-ujwwpe.html

Click to access Krauss_Rosalind_1985_Photography_in_the_Service_of_Surrealism.pdf