Minimalism. Today it is fashionable and popular. In art, design and photography, this trend is becoming more common, especially noticeable in fine arts, where today everything is simplified as much as possible. Minimalism in photography creates such images that attention is always concentrated on one object (a group of nearby objects). In such a photograph there is usually one central theme, and nothing more. In some works there are additions of details, but there are very few of them.
Today I will share with you 10 great tips for photographers on creating ideal minimalism in photography, as well as interesting and vibrant works of other photographers.
We often hear the phrase “less is more,” and this is as appropriate a definition as possible. minimalism in photography. When creating minimalist photography, are there any rules or secrets? There are, and we will talk about them in more detail now.
Understand the essence of minimalism
Minimalism as a style was used by many twentieth century artists, using minimum quantity components such as color, shape, lines and texture. In the art world, it is considered a very subjective genre, leaving room for the viewer to understand, interpret and perceive the work. Minimalism in photography valued for its openness of ideas, embracing freedom of interpretation, where in other genres the lack of a thread of direction or theme is unacceptable.
Keep it simple
To achieve minimalism, follow one simple rule - keep it simple. But this doesn't mean that your photography should be boring or uninteresting. Try to choose a bright and attractive item that will catch your eye. The subject should be bright, important and intriguing. The space around an item will highlight its importance and specialness, so look carefully to create the right composition.
Composition
Achieving the right composition and placement key element in minimalist photography is key. This is the longest preparatory moment, because it depends on whether you get what you need or not. The “rule of thirds” applies here too and will help when deciding how to compose the shot more correctly. A good composition will ensure the success of your photo. If you view best works in this genre, then you can get a completely complete picture of it.
Simple colors
Use of color and minimalism in photography- always stay close. Those photographs that lack the brightness of the central subject are usually compensated by the correct color scheme. In this case, the brighter the better! Try a combination of contrasting colors. Many photographs in this genre are based on one main color. Don't be afraid to experiment!
Power of lines
Similarly with the use of colors in minimalist photography, the effectiveness of the line in the frame can have important for an image when the subject is limited. Beads and distinct strong horizontal or vertical lines give the photograph an invisible structure. Depending on what you want to emphasize, choose one direction or another of the lines in the frame.
The importance of textures
So much of minimalism is based solely on an emphasis on texture and color. They capture the viewer's attention even without a central subject. Try using light to increase the visibility of the texture, perhaps increase the contrast, and look at the photo. The viewer (ideally) can feel with your eyes what he sees.
Keep your eyes open
After you carefully and in detail study examples of minimalism, you will see them everywhere, because they surround you every day. When you learn to keep your eyes open to spaces and blocks of color and interesting objects, you will be rewarded. The amazing is always nearby.
Processing of finished images
Minimalism in photography does not require very long and painstaking work. Even at the shooting stage, take care of the “cleanliness” of the frame in terms of cigarette butts, bottles and other things. Image processing should be quite simple, but to the point. It's not minimalism if you do most of the work in Photoshop, cropping and editing the photo.
History of photography
Many minimalist photographs are eye-catching with simple lines, attractive colors and can be seen as an artistic expression of the author. But can you, as the author, tell a story with a photo like this? Is it possible to convey a scene or events using this genre? To achieve this, you should include people or movement in the frame whenever possible.
Think creatively!
Now I hope you have general idea O minimalism in photography and there are thoughts that will help you on your way with creating your own photographs in this genre. Don't be afraid to get creative. Minimalism can be very subjective. Good luck and creative success!
A few examples for inspiration.
No art movement is as controversial among critics as minimalism. The points of view expressed are absolutely opposite. Some call this genre “the highest manifestation of creativity,” while others insist that it is nothing more than a degradation of art. But works of this genre do not leave anyone indifferent.
The genre of minimalism came to photography from painting, as did most other genres. He can be considered relatively young. In the history of painting, the 60s of the last century are considered the birth of minimalism. But such a statement is, of course, conditional. Works with all the hallmarks of minimalism existed long before this (just remember Malevich’s “Black Square”). True, at that time they did not yet have an official name.
Minimalism, like no other genre, is subjective. Everyone understands it in their own way. But still the main signs exist. Few objects, a lot of background. Moreover, the background is most often neutral, without unnecessary details. This requires careful attention to composition. Composition is one of essential elements minimalist photography. As mentioned above, you need to exclude all unnecessary details from the frame. But the most important thing is to arrange the elements in the frame so that they look good and are in their place. The “rule of thirds” works well here. In addition, shapes can play a big role in the composition. Shape alone can form the basis of minimalist photography. Color works well in minimalist photographs. Some photographers create their photographs based solely on color transitions. Like color, lines play a huge role in minimalism. Vertical and horizontal lines create a strong composition and make the photo more attractive.
And in general, can minimalism in photography be called a separate genre? I would (right, everything is subjective) better call it “style”. After all, minimalist photography itself can be made in different genres. A landscape, a still life, a portrait, and even a reportage can be made in the style of minimalism. The works of the photographers that I chose as examples just confirm my point of view.
Let's start with the landscapes.
Akos Major(Akos Major) - photographer from Hungary. Currently lives in Budapest. Travels around the world in search of a good shot for his collection. The main direction of his work is landscapes.
These are photographs from the "Cold World" series. White color, smooth surfaces, brightness... The photographs literally smell cold.
David Burdeni
(David Burdeny), a Canadian photographer, also chose the cold to create his famous “Icebergs” series. True, unlike the previous photographer, he tints his photographs and “cools” them by adding blue. 
It is clear that not everyone has the opportunity to photograph icebergs in their life. But landscapes shrouded in fog can be found everywhere. Amazing series "White Noise" by a photographer from Berlin Matthias Heidrick (Matthias Heiderich) is just confirmation of this.
American David Fokos(David Fokos), one of the masters of minimalism, calls his works “photographic haiku.” He believes that they exemplify traditional Japanese aesthetic concepts. Such as calmness, the ephemeral nature of things, subtle matter, lack of pretense, simplicity, freshness, silence.
Works done with long exposures truly exude peace and tranquility. 
Kanga Koentjoro Hengki Koentjoro lives in Indonesia. Creates landscapes in black and white style. Mainly works with long exposures.
Todd Clasey(Todd Klassy) from America also photographs minimalist landscapes. But his style is completely different. The photographer works with bright, saturated colors. His task, as he says in one interview, is to show the beauty of the state of Montana, in which he was born and lived all his life.
German photographer Bernhard Lang (Bernhard Lang) shoots his minimalist landscapes from a bird's eye view. Clear graphics and pure colors make photographs of seemingly completely uninteresting and boring objects unique.
When talking about the masters of minimalist landscape, one cannot fail to mention the famous English photographer Michael Kenna
(Michael Kenna).
Michael Kenna's style is primarily black and white landscape photos, which he mostly shoots at long exposures. The intimacy of his photographs is also striking - the size of the photographs is only 30 x 30 cm. This size is not accidental, because Kenna believes that each photograph should be viewed by only one person.
It was about his work that one of the photo critics said: “There are two types of photography. Of these, the first creates sound, the second is deprived of this sound. Obviously, Michael Kenn’s photography belongs to the second category. His images invite us to enter a quiet world in which the viewer is relieved from noises - sequentially, one after another, all of them with which our world is so loaded."
As an example, I chose the works of Michael Kenn, executed on the verge of merging natural and urban landscapes. Series 1999-2008, created in Russia.
Cityscape is one of the favorite genres of minimalist photographers.
Here is the German photographer I already mentioned Mathias Heidrick
with the series "Colorful Berlin". It was this series that made him famous.
The German photographer works in a similar style. Klaus Leontief (Klaus Leontjew).
Photographer Nick Frank(Nick Frank) was born in 1975 in Munich, Germany. Came into photography in 2010. But he still doesn’t consider himself a professional photographer. “I still have a lot to learn,” he says.
The Metro 2012 series is dedicated to the futuristic style of the Munich metro. It seems very minimalist and even surreal without passengers inside.
It would seem that the lot of minimalist photographers is only to take pictures of individual details of the city. But Nick Frank turned that opinion around. What could be more majestic and powerful than the famous buildings of Dubai? Here are some very minimalist photographs:
Belgian Philip DeVos(Filip DeVos) also shoots the cityscape. But in his works the main thing is lines. The geometric component attracts the eye and makes you immerse yourself in the picture. In addition, including people in the composition makes the photographs almost reportage-like.
And here are the works of another master of minimalist reportage. Italian Raldeni Massimo (Raldeni Massimo). Every photograph is a whole story. With its own plot, characters and aftertaste.
Couldn't miss the amazing work of the Spanish photographer Natalie Tacariga (Natalie Tacarigua), which can also be classified as minimalism. Minimum objects and maximum movement. This is not just a frozen picture, this is life.
Still life is one of the most favorite genres of minimalist photographers. It would seem that there is nothing difficult about photographing objects in this particular style. But how different you can approach this!
Favorite color of a young Turkish photographer Anila Akkusa
(Anil Akkus) is white. He is a true virtuoso of light and shadow. If not for this talent, the snow-white experiment would have been destined to fail, but this did not happen, since skillfully directed lighting creates the necessary shadows in shades of gray, and these, in turn, give the white objects in the photo volume and make them visible against the white background.
The Spaniard Jose Maria Frutos Vargas takes a different route when shooting still lifes. He prefers surrealism. An incredible, upside-down world, shot in a minimalist style.
Heidi Westum (Heidi Westum) from Norway wrote simply in the annotation to her portfolio: “I love macro.” Look at the wonderful photographs of a simple drop of water, also made in the genre of minimalism.
Everything is clear with the droplet - it is small, it was simply created for filming in the genre we are describing. Is it possible to take a photograph in this style, for example, of the largest land animal on earth? It turns out that it is possible. And this is what the photographer does South Africa Mario Moreno (Mario Moreno). And not only the elephant, but also other animals.
For an example of a portrait made in the genre of minimalism, I took a series by the photographer Vladimir Katiev (Vladimir Katiev) entitled "Hidden Essence". Undoubtedly, the works from this series evoke different feelings, but they fully satisfy the requirements of minimalism.
And I want to finish my article about minimalism by presenting the works of one of my favorite photographers.
Gert Lovesen(Gert Lavsen) - photographer from Denmark.
I think that minimalism for a photographer is not only a way to express his vision of the world, but it is his lifestyle. No matter what genre he takes on, there is minimalism everywhere.
There is no denying the popularity of minimalism, although it can cause quite mixed feelings. In his article, photographer Spencer Cox shares some of the main reasons for this trend, as well as some tips for making the most of it. effective use style in photography.
Minimalism conveys your message to the viewer
One of the first recommendations for a photographer learning composition is to create your own special message. What should your photograph convey to the viewer? What emotions or thoughts should arise when looking at the photo? And most importantly, how can you simplify that message and deliver it as effectively as possible?
For many photographers, minimalism is the answer. Minimalist photographs often have several common features. First, their color palettes are not distracting; Usually there are only one or two primary colors that draw attention to themselves, or the photo is completely monochrome. In such pictures, as a rule, there are enough empty areas in the picture. Secondly, the main objects are most often small size. They are not always detailed or clearly defined, with sharp transitions separating the subject from the background.
In macro photography, whether you like it or not, you cannot do without minimalism in the final frame. This is due to the fact that many of the above elements are present in the macrocosm - unified colors, significant negative space(due to ) and very clearly defined objects. Not every macro photography is minimalist, but this one is good example the genre where this style of shooting is something absolutely natural.
NIKON D7000 + 105mm f/2.8 @ 105mm, ISO 1250, 1/100, f/3.5
However, minimalism can be found in any genre of photography, the main condition is the presence of negative space. If you want to take minimalist photos, the first thing to look for is empty areas that you can use as a background for your main subject. Does your final photo only contain one or two objects per ? Then you've hit the target!
Minimalism works on small screens
People are using their phones to search for content more than ever before, and many photographers have changed their style to meet the new demand. On small screens, the minimalistic style of images works best, since there is not much room for complex details. One object against a monotonous background in a photograph will stand out much more easily.
On the one hand, this is a little sad, because in this way the viewer is deprived of the opportunity, for example, to look at a detailed landscape close-up - and this, I must say, is a unique experience. At the same time, people will always change, and it makes sense for photographers to keep up with the times.
NIKON D7000 + 24mm f/1.4 @ 24mm, ISO 100, 1/640, f/4.0
Great symphonies are complex
Think about greatest works in history. From Beethoven's symphonies to Michelangelo's frescoes, almost all of mankind's most famous works have enormous levels of complexity.
It’s not worth it, of course, with amateur photography, but one thing is for sure: minimalism only takes you further away from it. Sure, a minimalist photo may look good on Instagram, but its simplicity makes it difficult to convey a much deeper message than what you "read" on the surface.
How many great photos can you remember right now? And what about the minimalism in them? Of course some amazing pictures, say, “”, are clear and understandable, but it’s simply hard to call them simplified or minimalistic. If they were such, it is unlikely that they would have such a deep emotional impact on the viewer.
There are documentary series with one or two minimalist photographs, and this is almost always done in order to convey one specific moment (subject) as clearly as possible. But the sheer lack of information in a photograph in this style makes it difficult to show the photographer's more nuanced and complex view of the world. And this, of course, affects their success.
NIKON D7000 + 24mm f/1.4 @ 24mm, ISO 180, 1/160, f/1.4
Minimalism can quickly become outdated
With the sheer volume of minimalist photos posted daily on platforms like Instagram, it's no wonder that this style of photography is starting to bore many people. If every other photo is a minimalist shot with the same composition, how can you expect anyone to see it as great, unique art?
Perhaps this is not entirely fair, since it is not his fault that minimalism is becoming outdated - it is only because many photographers use it literally all the time. If you're trying to avoid going overboard with minimalism in your photography project, there's an easy fix. Take a few simplified photos if they work well with a particular subject - but don't forget about photos in some other style too.
This might be a bit much even for the hyper-minimalist crowd! But this is just an example of extreme abstraction. NIKON D800E + 70-200mm f/4 @ 200mm, ISO 100, 1/1000, f/8.0
Conclusion
Minimalism cannot be completely dismissed. It can also be useful if you are just starting out in photography. Minimalism can add a sense of meaning that wasn't previously seen in your photos, forcing you to think more carefully about your composition. It will help you master the basics of photography.
NIKON D800E + 105mm f/2.8 @ 105mm, ISO 1400, 1/800, f/2.8
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In modern photography, masters highly value high-quality minimalism. This is considered a fashionable and stylish movement when there is nothing superfluous in the photo, and all attention is immediately concentrated on the main object. Creating minimalism in the frame has its own secrets and rules, about which Photosearch and wants to tell you. The very first one is that less is better than more. This statement describes the entire minimalism style as best as possible.
Understand the essence of minimalism
Minimalism characteristic of the masters of the 20th century. They always used a minimum of color, texture, lines and objects. In the artistic world, this style is considered subjective, since each viewer can interpret the meaning of the image for himself. Artists could surrender themselves to complete improvisation and openness of ideas without unnecessary subtexts.
Keep it simple
To achieve minimalism you need to understand that simple photography doesn't have to be boring or uninteresting. You just need to find a regular background, find your subject and take a photo. Empty or moderately colorful space around the subject emphasizes its importance.
Composition
The right composition can make even the most sluggish photo perfect. The “rule of third” is perfect for creating minimalism. You must correctly arrange the main objects and find beautiful angles.
Simple colors
In minimalism, it is important not to be afraid to experiment with colors. If your subject is not bright enough, you can choose a contrasting background to highlight the assets of the subject. In this case, you need to remember that the brighter the better.
Power of lines
Clear lines can become the same bright color. Horizontal and vertical lines add drama to the frame and make the subject more organic. These lines will also create an invisible structure in the photo. Therefore, pay attention to the position of the subject so that straight lines emphasize it.
The importance of textures
In minimalism, it is important to convey texture and colors. They contribute to the viewer's passion for photography. To make the structure visible, add light or contrast. The viewer will feel with his eyes what he sees and will be able to feel the photograph.
Keep your eyes open
Minimalist objects surround us every day and every minute. When you learn to see them, then creating a new frame will not be a problem for you. Try to always look straight ahead and see as much space as possible. Look at all the objects and you will be rewarded with pleasant shots.
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Sometimes when you remove everything from the frame except the most vital things, it looks very good and fresh. Quite often I get caught up in trying to fill every piece of the photo with something interesting. The problem is that when we try to fill the entire frame with objects, lines, people, shapes, etc., we complicate everything, and the viewer begins to dream of a place where the eye can rest.
The secret is this: negative space can be as interesting as anything else if you use it correctly.
I encourage you to think about this the next time you go on a shoot. Incorporating negative space into your images can be very beneficial, but at the same time quite challenging. Sometimes everything is obvious. But sometimes you'll need to get creative about how to position your subject correctly in the frame to create this type of image. To get your creative juices flowing, here are some examples of using negative space and minimalism in photography.
Photographer Brian Matiash actually decided to create a series of minimalist black and white images in the Staten Island area. The shot above is just one in a series. This is also a great example of a successful violation of the photographic “rule” that the horizon should not be placed in the center of the frame. Sometimes the composition and leading lines in the frame require just this approach.
I think if Brian had composed the shot differently, with less sky and more water, the reflection of the old pier would have fit entirely into the image, and the pier would have lost that "anchor" at the bottom of the frame. On the other hand, if there were more sky and less water, the image would become less interesting by cutting off key parts of the reflection.
I love this photo by Mike Olbinski. It's from a photo shoot he did for a family back in December (here's the link to the post). The post Mike wrote talks about how important it is to take family portraits and take them now. Just a couple of months after this photo shoot was completed, the great-grandfather in this photo passed away.
Losing loved ones is always heartbreaking, and it is truly wonderful to know that the little girl in this photo will forever have beautiful Foto, in which she is with her great-grandfather. The simplicity and minimalism of the image is stunning. The light shining on the people in the photo is just enough to make the girl's features visible, and the palm trees in the background create a beautiful frame. Great shot, Mike.
And finally, a shot from my own portfolio. In my blog, I wrote about how I keep a sort of list of shots in my head that I want to shoot. This picture was also on the list. I wasn't specifically hunting for this shot, but when I saw a hawk fly overhead, I immediately knew it could be one of the shots on the list!
I converted the image to black and white colors, and pulled the exposure up to completely whiten the sky. Yes, I deliberately created overexposure. Oh no!
Conclusion
I hope this little article inspires you to get out there shooting and incorporate negative space into some of your shots if you haven't already. Sometimes it's really great to go into a shoot with the intention of creating a certain type of image, and to be creative in executing that idea.
If you have minimalist work in your portfolio, we'd love to see it! Post images or links to them in the comments below. If you have anything to add, don't hesitate.
James Brandon ( James Brandon) is a photographer based in Dallas who loves iced tea, Chipotle, and his wife Christine (but not in that order). You can find it on his