Black Ball Reflection

Minimalism as in Small Objects

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai
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What we have here is another Macro Minimalism Photograph. The Subject, is just a small round Black Ball that I picked-up under my Coffee Table.

The table was covered elegantly with a glossy silver mica. The light was coming in from the front and behind me there was a big white wall. 

What I found interesting here, was the small little reflection of the Black Ball being created on the silver-ish and smooth surface of the Coffee Table.

I had my Macro Lens on, and it took me about 4-5 shots to get this right. 

I was on Full Manual Camera Settings with Both the Camera and Lens's focus settings set to Manual as well.

Since I wanted to emphasize the Black Ball's Reflection, I placed the subject only following the left rule of thirds, and avoided the bottom rule of thirds alignment. As you can see, the Black Ball is near the center row of the rule of thirds grid, while its reflection slips towards the bottom row.

Minimalism Category and Composition:

This Minimalist Photo falls under the Minimalism as in Small Objects category of Minimalist Photography. 

The intention is clearly to show its small size, against the large empty spaces. 

To enhance emphasis on the subject, a lot of Negative Space has been used.

5 Minimalist Photos that Depict Less is More

A Photo Series of 5 Minimalist Photos that follow and depict the core principle of Minimalism i.e "Less is more" or more being said by the use of less.

Less is more is not a design or aesthetic principle I borrowed from somewhere, rather it is something I understood through the camera slowly, over years of shooting minimalist photos in Jaipur city.

When you strip a frame down to its bare essentials, something interesting happens. You stop scanning and start seeing and noticing things you miss out on and find them to be so much more meaningful.

A shadow on a wall becomes a statement. A brass knob on a blue door tells you everything about the building behind it without showing you the building. That is the power of minimalist photography done right.

The architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe said it best. He designed some of the most iconic modernist buildings of the 20th century and lived by one rule:

“Less is more.”

These 5 photographs are my attempt at practising exactly that. Each one is built on restraint.

Last Updated: April 2026

1. Walls and shadow at JKK

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

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This shot was taken in the afternoon at Jawahar Kala Kendra. Jawahar Kala Kendra has this quality where the architecture does half the work for you. This particular part is the corner of two adjoining walls. The top half illuminated by sunlight and the bottom half covered in shadow creative a shadow triangle. This is Minimalist Photography as Simple Geometry.

2. Street lamp and three wires

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

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This is look-up minimalist photography. I found this shot at Haathi Gaon, Jaipur where they keep Elephants. Location is near Amber Fort.

What I liked here was the clear sky and the electric wires creating three diagonal lines. To contrast and do away the monotony, I included a straight line on the right place according to rule of thirds. 

Also the subject (the lamp) is well isolated and on the left you see negative space. This is a very typical minimalist photograph that hits nearly all the checkboxes of minimalist photography including leading lines.

3. Long shadow of metal gate

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

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The house gate looked pretty ordinary but what interested me was its shadow. So I placed the bottom end of the gate in the top row and let shadows fall in the bottom 2 rows (I always use the 3x3 grid).

The shadow was forming a pattern by repetition and the diagonal lines were such a treat to the eyes. This also falls in the "parts of the whole" minimalism category under types of minimalism in photography.

4. Geometric lines at building

 

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

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I pointed the camera straight up at the corner of the building.  I placed the corner on the intersection of the left column and bottom row in the 3x3 grid, applying double rule of thirds and leaving empty space on the right, to redirect eye back to the left.

The intention is clear here I wanted to show architectural lines as simple geometry with a single tone color. A hint of light and shadow for extra pop.

 5. Brass knob on blue door 

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

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Diggi Palace has these old blue doors that you walk past without thinking. I moved in close until the frame had nothing but the knob and that specific shade of blue.

This is subject isolation at work. The texture of the door becomes the negative space here and the photograph finds itself.​​​​​​​

Closing Note

If these photographs made you pause even for a second, then that pause is the point here. 

Minimalist photography is not about what is in the frame. It is about what you chose to leave out, which in turn gives amplified attention to what's left.

I have been shooting minimalism since 2012 and teaching it since 2015. If you want to understand how to see and shoot this way yourself, have a look at my minimalist photography workshops in Jaipur.

And if one of these photographs belongs on your wall, you can buy fine art prints directly on Fine Art America.

Also check:

• Misread
• The World Doesn’t Need More Photographs. It Needs Better Ones
• 30 Minimalist Photos taken by a Smart Phone

Find out more about Minimalism in Photography:

• What is Minimalism?
• Types of Minimalism

Car Door Handle: Minimalist Photography

Minimalism as Less Elements

Minimalist Photography By © Prakash Ghai

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There was a time when people were judged by their character. The values they held, the words they spoke, the way they treated others.

Then that shifted. Clothes became the measure. Dress well and the world takes you seriously. And now? It is the car you drive. The brand on the bonnet. The model year. I often wonder what comes next.

So when I decided to photograph a car, I did not photograph the whole car. I photographed the door handle.

That is what minimalist photography does. It strips away everything except the one detail that says it all.

A car door handle is designed with intention. There are curves in it. There is weight to it. Engineers and designers spent real time on that small piece of metal. Most people never notice it because they are too busy looking at the whole car.

The Composition:

I got down on my knees on the small staircase of my veranda to bring the camera to the right eye level. Eye level with your subject matters more than most people think.

The sun was coming from behind, which lit the handle cleanly and threw a shadow that followed the curve of the design. That shadow is what made the shot interesting for me.

Minimalist Photography Type:

This is Minimalism as Less Elements composition. 

If this photograph resonates with you, the fine art print is available on Fine Art America.

Misread by People

Minimalism as Less Elements

Minimalist Photography by © Prakash Ghai

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Minimalist Photography using a Green bench against a yellow wall at Jantar Mantar Jaipur.

"Sometimes you feel that you've been "Misread" by a lot of people and you need some time on your own alone in the park, sitting on the bench reflecting back on life."

In this minimalist composition I have applied rule of thirds twice. Once at the bottom and one on the left.

Therefore, there is plenty of negative space both above the bench and also to the right, to add that classic subject isolation minimalist feel.

A green bench against a large yellow wall is an Ideal setting. To begin with, what made me attracted towards the bench, was the subtle light and shadow differential on the wall.

It was just too beautiful to look at. Maybe you could also find this, if you visit Jantar Mantar, Jaipur. 

What Makes This Minimalist Photography Composition Work?

This shot falls under the Less Elements type of minimalist photography. One isolated subject and negative space.

If you are learning minimalist photography, this composition is worth studying. The rule of thirds is something most photographers apply once.

Applying it twice in the same frame, on two different axes, is what creates that corner anchor effect. The bench is not centered. It is not floating. It sits exactly where the eye expects weight to be, and then the rest of the frame opens up.

The color contrast here is also doing a lot. Green and yellow are analogous colors, close on the color wheel, so they do not fight each other. The wall does not overpower the bench. The bench does not disappear into the wall. That balance is what makes the image calm rather than chaotic.

Also Check:

5 Minimalist Photos that Depict Less is More that showcases the use of isolated subjects and negative space.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur for Minimalist Photography

Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one of the best locations in the city for minimalist photography. Wide walls, clean geometry, and good directional light for most of the day.

If you are visiting Jaipur and want to practice minimalism, add it to your list.

Want to own this Minimalist Photo as a Print?

A fine art print of Misread is available on Fine Art America, printed on archival quality paper and shipped worldwide. Buy the print here.

Must Read:

• Types of Minimalism

• What is Minimalist Photography?