Going Minimal: How Less Can Be More in Photography

At Kelly Tareski Photography, we believe in the power of simplicity. In a world filled with visual noise, minimalism in photography can create striking and impactful images.

This blog post explores how less can truly be more in your photographic journey. We’ll share techniques, gear tips, and insights to help you master the art of minimal photography as part of your ongoing photography education.

The Essence of Minimalism in Photography

The Art of Subtraction

Minimalism in photography strips away the unnecessary to reveal the extraordinary. By focusing on simplicity, negative space, and clear storytelling, you’re able to create impactful images that resonate with emotion and beauty.

To create minimalist photographs, identify the key subject or element in your scene. Then, remove or minimize everything else that doesn’t contribute to your main focus. This process of subtraction can transform an ordinary scene into a striking image.

For example, when you photograph a lone tree in a field, eliminate distracting elements like buildings or power lines. Position yourself to capture a clean background of sky or open space. This isolation technique draws the viewer’s attention directly to your subject, creating a more impactful image.

Harnessing Negative Space

Negative space (the area surrounding your main subject) plays a crucial role in minimalist photography. It’s not just empty space; it’s a powerful tool for creating balance and directing the viewer’s gaze.

To effectively use negative space, experiment with different compositions. Try placing your subject off-center, using the rule of thirds as a starting point. This creates a sense of tension and interest in your image. For instance, when you shoot a portrait, position your subject to one side of the frame, leaving ample space on the other side. This approach can evoke emotions and tell a story more effectively than a centered composition.

Storytelling Through Simplicity

Minimalist compositions have a unique ability to convey complex narratives through simple elements. By focusing on a single subject or a carefully curated set of elements, you invite viewers to engage more deeply with your image.

Consider the story you want to tell before you shoot. If you’re capturing a cityscape, instead of including the entire skyline, focus on a single architectural detail that embodies the essence of the city. This approach encourages viewers to fill in the gaps with their imagination, creating a more personal and memorable experience.

The Power of Color (or Lack Thereof)

Color plays a significant role in minimalist photography. You can use bold, contrasting colors to create striking images (think a red umbrella against a white wall). Alternatively, a monochromatic color scheme can enhance the minimalist feel of your photographs.

Black and white photography is particularly effective for minimalist shots. It removes the distraction of color, allowing the viewer to focus on form, texture, and composition. Try converting some of your color images to black and white to see how it changes their impact.

Mastering Composition

Composition is key in minimalist photography. The rule of thirds can be a helpful starting point, but don’t be afraid to break it. Sometimes, centering your subject can create a powerful symmetry that enhances the minimalist feel.

Leading lines and geometric shapes can also add interest to minimalist shots. Look for strong lines or shapes in your environment (architecture is a great source) and use them to guide the viewer’s eye through the image.

As you explore these techniques, you’ll find that minimalism in photography isn’t about creating empty or boring images. It’s about distilling your subject to its most essential form, allowing its true nature to shine through. In the next section, we’ll explore the technical aspects of achieving minimalism in your photos.

How to Create Stunning Minimalist Photos

Simplify Your Composition

The rule of thirds provides a solid foundation for minimalist compositions, but don’t hesitate to break it. Place your subject off-center or experiment with centering for symmetry. When you shoot a landscape, position the horizon line along the top or bottom third of the frame, rather than in the middle. This creates a more dynamic composition and emphasizes either the sky or the foreground.

Embrace Negative Space

Negative space becomes an integral part of the image in minimalist photography. It doesn’t just frame your subject; it enhances the overall impact. For portraits, position your subject to one side of the frame, leaving ample empty space on the other. This technique draws the viewer’s eye to the subject while creating a sense of solitude or contemplation.

Shoot with a wide aperture to naturally blur out background distractions or use a telephoto lens to compress the scene and simplify what’s behind your subject.

Play with Color (or Lack Thereof)

Monochromatic color schemes significantly enhance the minimalist feel of your photos. Shoot in environments with a limited color palette, like a snow-covered landscape or a white sandy beach. Black and white photography offers another powerful option. The removal of color forces the viewer to focus on form, texture, and composition.

Master Selective Focus

Selective focus isolates your subject and eliminates distractions in minimalist photography. Use a shallow depth of field when photographing your subject to create selective focus. This technique blurs the background, drawing attention to specific features. It works particularly well for close-up shots of objects or portraits where you want to highlight certain elements.

Look for Strong Lines and Shapes

Geometric shapes and strong lines add interest to minimalist compositions without cluttering the frame. In urban environments, search for architectural elements like staircases, bridges, or building facades that offer clean lines and interesting shapes. Nature provides opportunities too; seek out lone trees, isolated rocks, or the horizon line where sea meets sky.

Experiment with Long Exposures

Long exposure photography creates beautifully minimalist images, especially in landscapes. A neutral density filter extends your exposure time, smoothing out water or clouds into silky textures. This technique works particularly well for seascapes or cityscapes at twilight, creating a sense of movement and tranquility.

Minimalism in photography distills your subject to its essence, creating images that resonate emotionally with viewers. As you practice these techniques, you’ll develop an eye for simplicity and learn to create powerful images with less. In the next section, we’ll explore the gear and settings that can help you achieve these minimalist masterpieces.

Gear and Settings for Minimalist Magic

Lens Selection for Simplicity

Prime lenses often excel in minimalist photography. Their fixed focal length compels you to move and think more carefully about your composition. Experiment with lenses, as kit limitations can boost creativity in minimalist photography where less is more.

Telephoto lenses can also shine in minimalist photography. They compress the scene, allowing you to isolate subjects against clean backgrounds. A 70-200mm zoom lens provides the flexibility to frame your shots precisely without introducing unwanted elements.

Camera Settings for Clean Results

Aperture priority mode (A or Av on your camera dial) often serves as the go-to setting for minimalist photography. A wide aperture (low f-number like f/2.8 or f/4) creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and isolating your subject. This technique enhances portraits or detail shots where you want to eliminate distractions.

For landscape or architectural minimalism, switch to a narrower aperture (higher f-number like f/11 or f/16) to keep everything in sharp focus. This approach works well when you deal with strong lines and shapes in your composition.

Long exposures in minimalist photography can smooth out water, clouds, or moving objects, creating ethereal, simplified scenes. Essential equipment for long exposure photography includes a camera, tripod, and filters.

Post-Processing for the Minimal Look

Post-processing refines your minimalist images. Start by increasing contrast to make your subject pop against the background. Adjust the blacks and whites to create more definition in your image.

Desaturation serves as a powerful tool in minimalist editing. Reducing the saturation of certain colors (or the entire image) can create a more subdued, minimal feel. Consider going all the way to black and white if it enhances the minimalist mood of your photo.

Use the crop tool judiciously. A tighter crop can eliminate distracting elements and strengthen your composition. However, avoid cropping out too much negative space, as it’s essential for the minimalist aesthetic.

The healing brush and clone stamp tools help remove small distractions that you couldn’t avoid while shooting. Use them sparingly to clean up your image without altering its essence.

Simplifying Your Workflow

Try to simplify your gear setup when shooting minimalist photos. Carry only the essentials (camera, one or two lenses, and a tripod) to focus on composition rather than equipment choices.

Preset your camera settings before heading out to shoot. This approach allows you to concentrate on finding and framing your subjects without getting bogged down in technical details.

Experiment with in-camera filters or effects that align with minimalist aesthetics. Many modern cameras offer built-in monochrome or high-contrast modes that can jumpstart your minimalist vision.

Final Thoughts

Minimalism in photography creates impactful images that resonate with viewers. The techniques we’ve explored provide a foundation for stunning minimalist photographs. These principles can elevate your work to new heights, whether you capture portraits, landscapes, or abstract compositions.

We at Kelly Tareski Photography encourage you to incorporate these minimalist techniques into your photography education. Your journey in minimalist photography is unique, and we’re excited to see how you interpret and apply these concepts in your work. Every frame offers an opportunity to create something extraordinary from the ordinary.

Kelly Tareski Photography offers personalized photography services in Spokane, Washington. With over two decades of experience, we specialize in a wide range of photography styles, from senior portraits to commercial shots. We invite you to share your minimalist photos and stories with us.