28 July, 2014

Types Of Minimalism



I will take each one of these sub-types one by one and lay-down my interpretations of the same. I will also included photo examples for each Type of Minimalism for better comprehension.

1) Minimalism as Less Elements


Explanation: Here one isolated singular subject can be used as the primary subject, so that it receives 100% percent attention span. A secondary supporting subject can also be used to enhance the composition. But it should be made sure that if not 100% at least the majority of the attention of the viewer remains with the primary subject.

Example:

A Minimalist Photo of Red and gray steel water pipe on a gray wall.
Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Less Elements)
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As you can see above, I have used a primary subject i.e the Red Pipe and a supporting subject aka the Gray Pipe, which shares less attention, as it is of the same color as the wall. The number of elements in this Minimalist Photograph are limited to two and focus on them has been enhance or redirected by using a lot of empty or Negative Space.


2) Minimalism as Few Distinctive Colors


Explanation: You can also use a mix of Few Contrasting Colors, primarily forming some shapes, patterns or lines as core in a Minimalist Photograph. Ideally, keep at least two to three colors in the palette, if not more. At the same time you must try to restrict the overall elements in the frame. Keep it simple.  

Example:

A Minimalist Photo of yellow red and white wall
Photo By © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism using Few Distinctive Colors)
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3) Minimalism as in Small Objects 


Explanation: This form of Minimal is literal in nature, where the subject shown is very small aka Minimal in size, in comparison to the overall elements within the frame. Such Minimalist Photographs remind us of how Minuscule our existence is in this Infinite Universe.

Example:

A black and white Minimalist Photo of a Bird walking on the railing of a terrace.
Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as in Small Objects)
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4) Minimalism as Simple Geometry


Explanation:  Use of Simple Geometric Shapes such as circles, lines, curves, squares, cylinder, rectangles, triangles etc are some of the Basic Geometric Shapes one can use in such Minimalist Photographs. One does not need to use all of these shapes within a Single Photograph. You can use one or more or maybe even many of these, till the time you keep the Photograph as decluttered as possible. 


Example:

A Minimalist Photo of the side railing of a staircase.
Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Simple Geometry)
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Like in the above example, I have used only "1 Line or Line" aka the Side-Railing of a staircase, as my only Subject. I could have used multiple lines as well by including the Steps. Those steps could also have been be looked upon as more Lines and Rectangles (again simple geometric shapes). 

5) Minimalism as Parts of the Whole


Explanation: In such kind of Minimalist Photographs, a lot is left to the Imagination of the viewer. Here, we only show a part or a snippet of the main subject to the viewer and make him imagine the whole/rest of it. This creates a sense of Mystery about the subject and therefore, this is a great way to make the viewer engage and connect with the Minimalist Photograph.


Example:


A Minimalist Photo of the Arcs of a astronomical instrument at Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Parts of the Whole)
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6) Minimalism as in Repeating Shapes

Explanation: Images comprising of symmetrical repetition of mainly Basic Geometrical Shapes (ideally) fall under this category of Minimalist Photography. Let's take an example to better understand this.

 Example:


A Minimalist Photo of Multi Colored windows in repetition.
Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as in Repeating Shapes)
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In the above Photograph, you can see 6 Windows on a Wall. These Windows have perfect basic Geometric Shapes aka Rectangles, and they are in repetition and placed in a symmetrical manner, depicting some kind of order. 

7) Minimalism as Low Detail


Explanation: Such Minimalist Photos generally carry very Low Detail. Most of the details are intentionally left out. This lack of detail engages the view quite well and are generally thought provoking. These images are not Abstract in nature, one can still relate the subject depicted to real life/world. 


Example:


A Black and White Minimalist Photo of an Old man and his friend rowing a boat, lost in the sea.
Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Low Detail)
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8) Zeroism


Explanation: In such Minimalist Photographs the subject may not be directly pointed at by the Photographer. The viewer  of the Photograph is intentionally made to guess what the actual subject might be or how the photographer wants him to move his eye visually in the frame. The elements may or may not be clearly identifiable or relatable to any real world object/reference at first glance or maybe even later. Such photos can also be compared with abstracts and in some circumstances they can also be categorized as Abstract Minimalism.

Example:

A Black and white Minimalist Photo of Blurred abstract shapes behind a plastic curtain.
Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Zerosim)
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Source: https://sites.google.com/site/minimalismgroup/define

I hope the above Examples of Minimalist Photographs help in explaining each Type of Minimalism in Photography. 

Before you start capturing your first few Minimalist Photographs, I would also suggest you to read my other post Train your Eyes for Minimalist Photography. 

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--- Now you can also enroll for Online Classes on Minimalist Photography via Zoom or Google Meet. Click here: Online Classes


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35 comments:

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  2. very informative..thx...frank

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  3. Thanks for information, Prakash...great minimal

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    Replies
    1. Very useful info Prakash. This is a genre i seem to be attracted to. Your photos are an inspiration.

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  4. I totally loved this post. Being a fan of minimal design and the concept per se, I must say this was informative, well researched and interesting. keep writing more

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  5. Very useful post to get into minimal photography

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    Check also this out please :)

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  13. I ask myself, how many groups will be open either in FB, Instagram or whereever else, when we have the best teacher here online, who explains us, the Minimalists, how Minimal ART Photography works? I always use this guide and sometimes, or perhaps most of the time, less discusion (bla bla bla) and let talk the pictures for themselves as another great Master of Minimal ART Photography called Gernot Schwarz alias Horst Heinz Bergmann or our friend Rust Hatcher both comment. Did you know Prakash, that this term of Photography have the most groups in FB? :) And we call us Minimalists (?)
    - best joke ever! You will be always one of my favourites forever! Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank You Pia. Wow, I din't know this genre has the most photography groups on FB and yes its best to leave the photos to do the talking themselves :)

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