Sometimes, Less is More
Over time, the way you feel and look at photography will change. Your whole thought process of what makes a good photo in your eyes will flip constantly, and then also slide.
In this blog I’ll be covering the fact that sometimes, less is more.
Photography is subjective, there is no right or wrong way to take a photo. Each individual has a different approach to the matter, that’s what makes it so interesting.
There will never be a one size fits all to taking a photograph, that’s just impossible. For example, the difference between a landscape and then a city scene is non-comparable, one will be a gentle calm image, and the other will be a portrayal of the busy day-to-day life.
However, it doesn’t always have to be this way.
When I first started photography, I remember wanting to fill the scene in each photo with as much action and detail as possible. Because the more going on in a shot means a better image right? Not necessarily, and actually my personal thought process over a period of time to the answer to that question is that it’s wrong, and it doesn’t make a better image, not in all cases but definitely some.
Therefore, this leads to the point of sometimes less is more. Minimalism within photography is a powerful tool and technique used to help bypass the unneeded and distracting nature within a scene.
In order to put a higher focus on a certain point of an image, the key is to have a strong subject with zero clutter and distractions in the surrounding area. By doing this, you are enhancing the use of negative space and helping to draw attention to the subject for the benefit of the viewer.
Negative space can change the whole mood and dynamic of an image. By using it within your photography, you can isolate a subject with dramatic effect, fulfilling the use of emptiness and blank space to tell a story through the use of the surroundings. In addition to this, by highlighting a subject in this way you help to create a sense of mystery and scale within the photo, allowing breathing room between the foreground and background.
It’s strange to think of it this way, but at times the more basic the image, the more it stands out. Minimalism within a photo captures the art of simplicity, and therefore puts the spotlight fully on what really matters in the scene.
I find at times the more you overthink about the photos you visualise taking and the kind of photography you’re aiming towards, the less productive the end results usually are. As a result of this, I feel going back to basics and using techniques such as minimalism and negative space provide you with a clear thought process and direction of where you want your imagery to be.
The best way of doing this is going for a simple walk locally, just you and your camera with the one lens so you can just focus on shooting the most basic and simplistic shots. Ultimately, you may end up with a load of rubbish, however it’s the process of learning and adapting what you know and feel about photography is what matters.
If you would like to know more information about minimalism, negative space and further photographic composition techinques, take a look at this blog here.