Minimal
Minimalism. It’s so hot right now. So hot.
A trend to own less. There are some fanatical minimalists that strive to own insanely few items with bare walls and sparse furniture. Tiny houses. One plate, knife and fork, etc. This type of minimalism is extreme and like anything extreme, it’s a bit of a turn-off the average person. We just aren’t ready to think of this as normal or attainable. Our culture pushes us to buy ALL THE THINGS. It’s too big of a jump.
But there’s something to be said for the concept of minimalism. The idea behind it is to own less in order to focus on what matters most to you. To own less stuff to care for so that you aren’t tied up in the stuff that doesn’t matter. This stuff that doesn’t matter ties up your money, your energy, and your precious time. THAT I can get on board for. “Mo Money, Mo Problems” as The Notorious B.I.G. so wisely said.
So, what does minimalism have to do with photography? Lots, actually. We can apply this same concept of “discarding what is not important to focus on what is” to any particular photo. When taking a photo, many will focus on the background as the most important part of the photo. Is it though? I mean, isn’t the subject the most important part? I think so.
If we can keep the background simple, the viewer can focus on the subject and the emotion and connection…the story we are trying to tell. A single point of interest in the background, when significant to the subjects, can add to the photo.
This photo includes one simple bridge in the background. It adds to the photo in significance to the couple without taking away from them as the feature.
On the other hand, when the photo is cluttered with stuff in the frame, it feels overwhelming the same way walking into a cluttered home can feel overwhelming to the guest. Where to look? Where to put your bag? Where to sit? Where to begin?
In most portraits, the goal is to feature the subject…to get the eye of the viewer to go right to the subject as if someone as pointing right to it saying, “HEY YOU! Look at THIS right here!” We can do this in many ways: making the background blurry, using composition strategically, AND making the background simple.
This photo is doing all three! Even her eyes looking at the sign are telling you to look there.
Keep things simple. In life and in photography.
Next week, I’ll dive a little deeper into those simple backgrounds and give you a few tips for how to see your options wherever you happen to be taking a picture.
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If you want to learn more on the concept of minimalism without the dose of fanatical, check out Joshua Becker @joshua_becker, Courtney Carver @bemorewithless and Christine Platt @afrominimalist. These three have it figured out and are a constant inspiration to me to not need everything I think I do.
Be well. XO - Megan