Synchronized Geometry

Minimalism as Simple Geometry

 

Black and White Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

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Black and White Minimalist Photograph of the Zigzag geometric side rails of a staircase at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur

I have titled this as Synchronized Geometry and the name came naturally the moment I saw what was in front of me.

Most people walk past staircase railings without a second glance. A railing is generally supposed to be functional and not decorative. It is supposed to be a flat diagonal line running alongside the steps. But the railings at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur are different.

Here the stone slabs are placed at varying heights instead of following a continuous slope, and that creates a stepped zigzag pattern that repeats itself all the way up the staircase. That repetition is what caught my eye and motivated me to capture this black and white minimalist photograph.

More on the Minimalistic Composition

The photo falls under the Minimalism Category: Minimalism as Simple Geometry. Simple geometry is quite evident here.

I captured this photograph from the side deliberately. Standing in front of the railing would have flattened everything into a single zigzag. Shooting from the side gave me two railings in the same frame, one closer and one further away. 

The closer railing has fewer repetitions. The one behind it has more. That contrast between the two is what gives the photograph some depth and rhythm and creates a unique point of interest.

The shadows between the steps and the slight texture on the concrete surface also adds dimension to the photograph.

Jawahar Kala Kendra is full of frames like this if you slow down enough to notice them. The architecture there was designed by Charles Correa, and geometry is built into the DNA of the entire building. It is one of my favourite places to shoot minimalist photography in Jaipur.

Another Shot of the same subject from a different angle:

• Side Rail Zig Zag Pattern