27 July, 2014

What is Minimalist Photography?


The Question is, What is Minimalist Photography / Minimalism or Minimal Art?


Well, it is basically photography done using as few elements as possible within a frame. This, in turn gives the subject amplified attention. Tremendous visual clarity/emphasis on the subject is the primary goal here.

Minimalism anchors, simplicity at its core. It is based on the principle: "that which is less complicated is better understood." The use of lines, shapes, patterns, symmetry, geometry or isolated subjects, result in powerful minimalist images, that leave a lasting visual impact on the viewer.

Some of the ways by which Visual Clarity/Clear Focus/Amplified attention on the subject, can be achieved include:

a) Cropping the frame, and thereby doing away with the unnecessary.
b) Using *negative space (*empty space which is not required ) to redirect attention back towards the subject.
c) Making the subject repeat in the entire frame .

Another way of looking at minimalist photography is:

Minimalist Photography = Minimalism (as a concept) + Visual Art (the art of making something visually appealing within a particular landscape/frame)

Now, lets take an example of a Minimalistic photo that I took, with the use of negative space.


A Minimalist Photo of broken glass wall fence
Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai
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If you see above, the subject is placed in the bottom 1/3rd of the frame while 2/3rd of the frame (top) is left empty, used primarily to make the eyes lead to the subject which here is the random placement of broken glasses on the wall.

Not all Minimal photos use negative space as shown above. There are different Types of Minimal photos which I shall explain in my coming posts, alternatively you can begin by first seeing a Minimalist Video of select minimal photos. Minimalist photos are the most "Simple" to look at but very difficult to take. You need to change your perspective to compose nice Minimalistic frames. I would suggest that you Train your Eyes for it before you begin.

It is also possible that Minimalist Photography as a genre is not meant for you.

Find out which Phase of Life you are currently in, to find out the best suited genre of Photography for you.

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Must Read: Exploring Suppressed Inner Creativity via Minimalist Photography

Shop Minimalism: Minimalism Photo Gallery


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42 comments:

  1. Anonymous23 November 2014 at 00:30

    Bravo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Prakash Ghai24 November 2014 at 00:56

    Thank You Tartiplume Dans.
    Have a Nice Day. I send you Greetings from Jaipur - the Pink City of India.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sven Herrmann17 June 2015 at 17:37

    I love your photos. You`ve definitely got an eye for details and minimalistic compositions!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown1 April 2016 at 19:18

    I absolutely love your photos, I love your sense of shape and color. I am a High school student in america and I'm doing a project for a photography class where I take a photographer and emulate their style. I was wondering if I could use your photos? I really enjoy your photos and I find myself taking very similar pictures. Also is there anywhere I could find out more about you as a photographer?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai1 April 2016 at 20:15

      Hello There, Thank you for your interest in my work. Yes, you could use my photos/blog notes to share it with co-students/friends. I am also on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prakashghai/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prakash.ghai

      Delete
  5. Unknown17 June 2016 at 22:26

    https://www.instagram.com/piggi33/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jari Laaksonen17 June 2016 at 22:57

    Some minimalistic, some other https://www.instagram.com/jj_laaksonen/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai18 June 2016 at 00:58

      Thank you Jari Laaksonen for your link submission.
      I particularly liked that black and white minimalist bicycle shot on your Instagram Timeline.

      Delete
  7. paulo, contratempo_photodesign17 June 2016 at 23:08

    Hello Prakash, I'm very impressed with your work and your way of seeing things minimal. I follow you on Instagram and saw the article "What is Minimalist Photography?"

    I would be happy if you and some of your follower visit my IG account at: https://www.instagram.com/contratempo_photodesign/ to see a few of my minimalistic photographs.

    Warm Regards, Paulo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai18 June 2016 at 01:01

      Hello Paulo, Just went through your Instagram Timeline. Your profile is really interesting. Some of your minimalist photos are extremely extremely good. Well done.

      Delete
  8. Jean Morin17 June 2016 at 23:45

    Hello Prakash,
    Love your work and seeing other talents in the LearnMinimalism feed on Instagram.
    On my IG account, I explore minimalism and also texture, shadow and color.

    https://www.instagram.com/jean__morin/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai18 June 2016 at 01:02

      Hello Jean. Thank you for taking time out for this.

      Your Minimalism work is "Phenomenal"

      Such great vision.

      Well done. My compliments.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous18 June 2016 at 01:56

    I've been following your "learnminimalism" project for a long time, and it's always a pleasure to discover your work.
    https://www.instagram.com/kiks_way/ :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai18 June 2016 at 02:13

      Thank you, and I too have been following rsa_minimal from a long time. Nice community. Thank you for following the "LearnMinimalism Instagram Community" and using our hashtag #LearnMinimalism

      Delete
  10. Anonymous18 June 2016 at 05:31

    Big fan of learnminimalism, keep it up! I do minimalistic stuff using only the camera of my phone :

    https://www.instagram.com/attentaatti

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai18 June 2016 at 05:36

      Thank you for writing in and following our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/learnminimalism
      Had a look at your work. Very Interesting.
      Good luck with the selections.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous19 June 2016 at 11:54

    I have always loved your work and your dedication towards it. Keep up the brilliant work, sir :)
    -prachi
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BG01f2QA5Up/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown19 June 2016 at 15:09

    I'm a big fan. Keep it up the good stuff!
    https://www.instagram.com/jazmatialaa/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai19 June 2016 at 15:13

      Thank you for writing in. Your work is brilliant.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous20 June 2016 at 09:49

    Big fan of minimalism photography & page Learnminimalism !
    Greetings from Lithuania !

    https://www.instagram.com/andrius.blyksnis/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown22 June 2016 at 06:53

    I'm just a beginner in this category and thanks to Prakash I learned a lot from him and his website.. :)
    My account- www.instagram.com/veesv_minimalism

    ReplyDelete
  15. Scott Currie22 June 2016 at 22:34

    https://www.instagram.com/ruby83/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Durga Prasad Dash18 July 2016 at 07:36

    Thanks for creating awareness about minimalism. May be now I will also give it a try

    ReplyDelete
  17. Unknown3 October 2016 at 12:35

    Hi Prakash, I love your work and your articles. I moderate on the Martin Leach Minimalism Contest and Minimal Photo and Art communities on G+. My greatest love is B/W minimalism. I'm considering starting my own B/W Minimalst community on G + and was wondering if it would be ok to name the categories, based on your article, Types of Minimalism. Thanks in advance Keith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prakash Ghai3 October 2016 at 13:59

      Hello There- Send a message on Google+ or Facebook
      Need more clarity

      Delete
  18. Amit26 December 2016 at 23:59

    Prakash, I suggest that you highlight this post by placing it on the top of the side menu. I was trying to search what minimalist photography means and had to spend some time locating this post. It would help the new visitors to your blog if a link is given at a prominent position.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Emily15 February 2017 at 06:59

    I love photography, every aspect of it. Didn't know about Minimalist, until now.
    Your explanation is wonderful. I've learned so much from this, it's amazing.
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Cloud 930 March 2017 at 19:41

    I've never heard of minimalist photography but I love the concept of it and there is no arguing the beauty and depth of your photos!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Unknown13 April 2017 at 11:22

    Nice Work

    ReplyDelete

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