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The Striking Visual World of Abstract Images

Abstract visuals aren’t just for museums and expensive galleries. This stunning artform is also extremely versatile. One abstract image can stop a viewer in their tracks, while another can blend perfectly into the background. This creative range makes abstract images a workhorse in branding and design. That’s why our collection of abstract images captures this artform from every angle. As experienced curators in the image business, our team reviews each one-of-a-kind abstract image or illustration for the quality and creativity that you can expect from the leading stock photo library. Whether you need to grab attention or create a cohesive look, our abstract image collection has what you're looking for.

Using abstract images as website backgrounds

  • Stick to a style: Try not to pick backgrounds that are truly random and completely disassociated from the content on your website. Instead, rely on attention-grabbing abstract images that you can align with the web experience you want your viewer to have. If you have a playful brand identity, try a high-profile background with saturated colors and big, bold shapes. If your brand is more professional and business-like, an understated black and white abstract photo might fit the bill.

  • Use color to guide you: Color is a big part of abstract imagery, and it’s also a big part of web design. When you select an abstract image to use as your website background, consider the color or colors that you want shaping the user experience. Earth-toned or pastel color palettes, paired with simple organic shapes are an excellent fall-back for a clean, polished website. If you want a more energized, active experience, there are tons of abstract images featuring neon colors and smart geometric shapes.

  • Save room for text: If you’re selecting abstract images to use as banner backgrounds, it’s important to find images that leave room for text. Since abstract images usually come packed with visual elements and strong color palettes, you want to make sure the image won’t distract from whatever message you want to send. Pick abstract backgrounds so that the most interesting elements are in the areas to which you'd like to direct attention, like a call to action, or the navigation bar.

Using abstract images as website backgrounds

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Choosing the right abstract image

Abstract images capture subjects in new, imaginative ways. From illustrations to photographs, almost all abstract images feature the unexpected use of shapes and sweeping use of colors. It’s also common to see non-traditional compositions that bring unique movement and rhythm to each image. From textures and patterns for backgrounds to pre-made layouts for banners, flyers, and posters, the most popular abstract stock images are vectorized or digitally illustrated. Designers gravitate to these images because of their mesmerizing visuals and flexible meaning. With the focus on shapes, colors, and movement over specific subject matter, abstract images can be easily applied to any project. When it comes to abstract stock photography, photographers aim to present a subject in a different light. Often, the photo obscures the full shape of the subject. For example, in an image of a tree you might see only the veins of a leaf in extreme close-up without seeing the rest of the leaf or the tree it’s attached to. You might also see camera angles flipped and colors inverted. All of these approaches create specific and personal responses in each viewer. Our abstract image library comes from thousands of contributors who have spent years refining their own unique approach to abstract imagery. Explore their work here.

Questions about abstract images


What is an abstract design?

An abstract design can be one of several things. First, it can be a creative interpretation of a real-world subject. The idea is to represent something concrete with a unique and unexpected perspective or artistic style. This gives your viewer a chance to consider the subject in an innovative way. An abstract design can also include additional design elements — like shapes, colors, or typography. These elements add to the story of each image, drawing attention to or away from the subject. Finally, an abstract design doesn't have to be based on something concrete. Many artists use their imaginations and artistic skill to combine shapes, lines, and colors in a visually appealing, non-traditional way.


What makes a photo abstract?

The approach to the subject matter is what makes a photo abstract. While the subject matter itself is usually something ordinary, like a piece of furniture or a body part, an abstract photograph presents it in a new, surprising view. This may mean capturing only a part of your subject matter from a dramatic or unexpected angle. Altering color profiles, deliberately blurring the image during capture, or inverting or shifting position are all ways to intensify a photo in an abstract way.


What makes good abstract images?

Good abstract images catch a viewer's attention with peculiar or dramatic presentations of their subject matter. In photography, one of the most common approaches is to capture subject matter very close up to capture details that are overlooked in everyday life. In visual design, a popular approach is to use bold shapes and colors to create a thought-provoking image with a flexible message.


Why is abstract photography important?

Abstract photography is an important genre within the art of photography. It developed in the early part of the twentieth century, and some of its earliest proponents were essential in photography's recognition as an art form. The rise of abstract photography created awareness of the drama and beauty in mundane or familiar objects. This meant that photography as an art wasn't restricted to landscapes and portraits, but could also include elements like the beauty of industrial design or nonstandard architecture or even household implements.


What defines abstract art?

Abstract art, unlike more traditional art, is less concerned with identifiable subject matter and more interested in personal interpretation. In photography, this means capturing subjects from dramatic or strange angles, and often distorting or altering the final photo in some way. In visual design, abstract art often translates to bold colors, strong contrast, and prominent shapes, lines, and angles. Without a discernible subject or story, each viewer is free to interpret an abstract design differently.

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