Good Evening People.
I hope this post finds you in the best of your health and spirit. And if not, then you better start with something. I will suggest walking. I used to avoid it completely because honestly I am a lazy person, or lets say I was. But lately I have discovered that walking thirty minutes a day does more for you than most things people spend money on.
When I actually looked it up, the list of benefits surprised me. Simplicity works. And being a minimalist, I keep coming back to that idea in every part of life, not just photography.
As a minimalist photographer you start noticing simple things that most people walk right past. A shadow, a line on a wall, a gate lit by the afternoon sun. The practice of observing and capturing minimalist subjects trains your eye in a way that carries over into everything else. But before the practice comes intent. So, I'd suggest you to develop the intent to observe simple things, and the rest follow.
Now let us get back to the photograph.
What is Zeroism in Minimalist Photography?
In a Zeroism photograph, 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 something to hold on to.
The name Zeroism comes from a simple idea. You start at zero when you look at the image. There is zero subject recognition. The subject just simply refuses to introduce itself. In such minimalist photographs the elements are not clearly identifiable or relatable to any real world object at first glance.
But the composition still has a structure underneath it. There is compositional logic and the elements follow the basic rules that constitute a minimalist photograph.
Zeroism can also be called Abstract Minimalism. But Zeroism or Abstract Minimalism is not the same as abstract photography.
Abstract photography works purely through feeling, color, texture, or form, with no compositional discipline required underneath. In Zeroism, a minimalist structure is always present.
Few words on the composition of this Minimalist Photograph
The only subject in this image is the juxtaposition between colorful curves and strong vertical straight lines. It is ideally only one element, or two if you want to split them. So the elements are minimal and the photo is balanced and has some structure.
The actual real world object rather subject in this frame is a frosted finish plastic house gate that I spotted near birla mandir temple. I photographed it around 4 pm in harsh afternoon sunlight in Jaipur. You would have never guessed what the subject was at first glance, and that is exactly what makes it a Zeroism photograph.
Some people look at this and want to call it maximalist photography because both the colorful lines and the vertical black lines cover the entire frame. I understand that instinct, butt I am very clear that it is a minimalist photograph because the number of elements is controlled and as I said before there is compositional logic.
If you can explain a photograph using the rules of minimalism, it is a minimalist photograph. If you cannot, then abstract is the right word.
I will keep sharing more photographs under the Zeroism label. And if you ever plan to visit Jaipur, we can discuss this over coffee.
Until next time. Take care and happy clicking!
Frequently Asked Questions about Zeroism in Minimalist Photography
Q. What camera settings work best for Zeroism in Minimalist Photography?
A. There is no fixed setting. Zeroism is about composition and intent, and not technique. Any camera with any focal length is generally good. What matters is that you isolate the right elements and let the subject stay hidden within the frame.
Q. How is Zeroism different from other types of Minimalist Photography?
A. Most minimalist photos point clearly at the subject, a shadow, an isolated object or figure, or a geometric shape. Whereas, Zeroism is the one type where the subject deliberately hides itself. The viewer has to work for it.
Q. Is Zeroism only about architecture or objects?
A. No. The subject can be anything, light, texture, reflection, or a pattern, as long as the viewer cannot immediately identify it and the composition follows minimalist principles.
Q. Can a beginner attempt Zeroism in Minimalist Photography?
A. Yes, but it requires a solid understanding of minimalist compositions first. Without that foundation the result will mostly favor abstract photography rather than Zeroism.
This photograph was taken in under a minute, outside an ordinary gate in Jaipur on an ordinary afternoon. The only difference between me and everyone else who walked past it that day was that I stopped and looked at it with a creative eye.
