Types Of Minimalism

Last Updated: April 2026

Most photography guides talk about minimalism as if it’s just one style. In reality, it isn’t.

Through observation and practice, I’ve come to see 8 different types of minimalism in photography. Each one works in its own way, with a different visual logic, shooting approach, and emotional impact on the viewer.

Knowing which type you’re naturally drawn to can make it much easier to shape your own minimalist photography style.

If you are new to this, start by understanding what minimalist photography is and what makes it different from other styles. Once you have that foundation, the 8 types below will make a lot more sense.

There are 8 Types of Minimalism in Minimalist Photography 

I will take each one of these sub-types one by one and lay down my interpretations of the same. I will also include 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:

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Minimalism as Less Elements Buy a Print

As you can see above, I have used a primary subject i.e the Red Pipe and a supporting subject or 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 enhanced 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 and keep it simple. Plus, it should be obvious that the photographer's intent is clearly to show few distinctive colors as the type of minimalism.

Example:

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

Minimalism as Few Distinctive Colors

3) Minimalism as in Small Objects 

Explanation: This form of Minimal is literal in nature, where the subject shown is very small it Minimal in size, in comparison to the overall elements within the frame. Like how I've shown a small pigeon walking on a terrace railing below. Such Minimalist Photographs remind us of how minuscule our existence is in this infinite universe.

Example:

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Minimalism as in Small Objects Buy a Print

 

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:

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Minimalism as Simple Geometry View NFT

Like in the above example, I have used only Squares, one of the light squares changed its shape due to the angle of light and looks like a rhombus. A diagonal line is cutting the primary square. So, you can see multiple simple geometric elements, yet the frame is kept simple.

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. I have only shown a part of the chairs with a clean minimalist background and negative space in the example shown below.

Example:

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Minimalism as Parts of the Whole

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.

The reason repetition works in minimalism is straight forward. The brain processes repeating identical shapes as one unit. One window is one unit. Four identical windows is still one unit to interpret. That cognitive ease is the reason this type works as minimalism. 

Let's take an example to better understand this.

Example:

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Minimalism as in Repeating Shapes View NFT

In the above Photograph, you can see 4 windows in repetition on a wall. These windows have perfect basic geometric shape (rectangles) and they are in symmetric order. Collectively they are one unit as well as standalone. 

One of the windows doesn't have glasses and thats why I captured it as it makes the composition interesting.

If the photo is too busy you can also call it Maximally Minimal sometimes, but mind you there should not be any clutter and the photo must have tremendous visual clarity and easy comprehension as discussed above.

The above photograph could have had 16 windows in repetition and yet still be minimal, provided it had  tremendous visual clarity and easy comprehension.

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 viewer 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. 

Below you see a low detail minimalist photograph of a palm leaf leaning against a fabric.

Example:

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Minimalism as Low Detail

8) Zeroism

Explanation: In such minimalist photographs the subject is not directly pointed at. The viewer is intentionally made to guess what the actual subject might be. Your eye keeps searching for the core subject.

The name Zeroism comes from a simple idea. You start at zero when you look at the image. Zero subject recognition. The elements may not be clearly identifiable always or be relatable to any real world object. But the composition still has compositional logic and  elements of minimalism required for minimalist photography.

The subject simply refuses to introduce itself. We can also call it Abstract Minimalism.
But Zeroism or Abstract Minimalism is not abstract photography. Abstract photography works purely through feeling, color, texture, or form with no compositional discipline underneath. In Zeroism, a minimalist structure is always present.

Example:

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Zeroism Buy a Print

source: https://sites.google.com/site/minimalismgroup/define

As you can see in the above photo of the black and white hazy arrangement has order and compositional logic but its not clearly identifiable. The elements are less and minimal,  also the photograph is not confusing. It is easy on the mind. If I don't tell you, you may not be able to guess the real world subject. The subject that I chose was  colorful boxes illuminate with light at a stationery store, as seen through a scratchy plastic curtain in focus at low aperture.

Conclusion

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

These 8 types are not rules. They are a vocabulary. Once you know the words, you stop wandering in front of a subject hoping something clicks. You show up with a question instead. Which type of minimalism am I looking for here?

How to Identify Your Dominant Minimalist Photography Type?

If you are just starting out, pick one type of minimalism from the list above and shoot only that type for a few weeks. Less Elements is a good starting point for most beginners.

If you have been shooting for a while, go back and look at your last 50 photographs. You will notice a pattern.

Most minimalist photographers keep returning to one or two types of minimalism without realising it. Someone who keeps framing lone objects against plain walls is shooting Less Elements without knowing it. Someone obsessed with windows and grids is already working in Repeating Shapes.

"The minimalist photography type you return to most without thinking is your dominant type."

Once you know it, you stop shooting minimalism by accident and start shooting it with purpose and intent. The other 7 types of minimalism become deliberate choices you can move into when you are ready.

Personally, Simple Geometry is the type I keep coming back to the most, out of all 8 types. Sharing another Simple Geometry Minimalist Photograph below: It's more of looking up or look-up architectural minimalism.

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

Types of Minimalism FAQs

Q. Can one photograph belong to more than one type of minimalism?

A. Yes, the types can overlap. The type that has the most impact visually and is evident, is the right type for that photograph.

Q. Which type of minimalism is hardest to master?

A. Zeroism, because there is no obvious subject to anchor the frame. 

Q. Which type of minimalism is best for beginners?

A. Less Elements. Start with one clear subject and empty space around it.

Q. Can I find minimalism in busy locations or do I need to go to a quiet, less crowded space?

A. You can do either, but ideally you can find minimalist frames anywhere. In busy spaces for example, you can switch to look-up minimalism or wall close-ups. 

Q. Can I do minimalism using landscape and people?

A. Sure, landscape minimalism is fairly common, people minimalism requires decent practice. You can find one people minimalist photo example on the Contact Me page. But, most core minimalist photographers generally prefer shooting objects.

Q. How to remember all 8 types of minimalism while on field with my camera?

A. Write all 8 types of minimalism on a cue card, visiting card size. Take it out of your pocket when in front of a subject and decide the category. Eventually, you won't need the card.

Before you start capturing your first few Minimalist Photographs, I would strongly suggest you to read my post What is Minimalist Photography? and my other post Train your Eyes for Minimalist Photography.

A little about me

I am a minimalist photographer based in Jaipur, India, with 14 plus years of practice focused entirely on minimalist photography: light, shadow, geometry, and negative space.

I founded the #LearnMinimalism movement n Instagram, which has curated over 707,000 images globally.

My work has been licensed to Nike, featured in The Economic Times and China Daily, and collected by a former Sotheby’s curator on Tezos.

You can read more about me or see my media coverage if you want to know more.

See these Types as Fine Art Prints

Every type of minimalism described in this guide exists as a real minimalist photograph in my collection. Less Elements, Simple Geometry, Repeating Shapes, Zeroism. I have shot them all, mostly in Jaipur, over a decade of practice.

If something in this guide clicked for you, there is a good chance one of these prints will look exactly right on your wall.

Browse the collection on FineArtAmerica. Photos ships worldwide, printed on archival quality paper and canvas:

 

Shop Prints

Experience Minimalist Photography in Person at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai
Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

If you are in Jaipur and want to experience minimalist photography in person, I run a guided photowalk at Jawahar Kala Kendra. We spend two hours together in total.

One hour learning minimalist photography theory via a visual presentation, followed by an hour of photowalk shooting geometry, light, and shadow together at one of the most architecturally rich locations in Jaipur. I have been shooting there for over a decade.

You can book a spot directly on Airbnb App under the Experiences tab in Jaipur.

 👉 Book a Minimalist Photography Photowalk on Airbnb Experiences, Jaipur

This is one of the few photography experiences in Jaipur where you learn both the theory and practice of minimalist photography in a single session. 

Whether you shoot on a phone or a DSLR, this photowalk is designed for anyone who wants to see Jaipur through a minimalist lens.

I take up to 4 people per session so you get my full attention for the entire two hours. Spots fill up fast. Book early to lock your date.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

More on Minimalist Photography: 

• What is Minimalist Photography?
• 5 Minimalist Photos that Depict Less is More
• Phases of Life and Photography: & where "Minimalism" fits in
• Exploring Suppressed Inner Creativity via Minimalist Photography
• 10 Reasons Why you should be Buying Wall Art during COVID-19 Pandemic