What helps a photograph tell a good story? For many photographers, particularly those just starting out, there's a strong temptation to cram as much detail as possible into the frame. While this can have a strong visual impact in the right circumstances, sometimes less is actually more when it comes to telling an effective visual story.
This is true in many types of photography, from landscape photography to intimate, close-up portrait photography and even wildlife shots. But what is minimalist photography exactly, and how can you achieve this style on your next shoot? Read on to find out.
What is minimalist photography?
Before we dive in, it's important to note that minimalism isn't only used by photographers — it's a popular artistic concept used across many creative fields, from architecture and design to painting, illustration, and sculpture.
In its simplest form, minimalism is about drastically simplifying the compositional elements of your photograph, including shapes, lines, patterns, and colours. By reducing the number of elements within the frame, you can draw greater attention to key points and create a dramatic contrast.
The success of minimalism as a composition technique stems mainly from the fact that when there are fewer components, a viewer's eye is automatically drawn to the carefully curated elements within the frame. At the same time, the surrounding blank space leaves the viewer to come to their own conclusions and exercise their own creativity.
Common uses of minimalist photography
While minimal nature photography and flat lay photos are gaining popularity, minimalism is perhaps most widely and successfully used by portrait and landscape photographers.
Portrait photographers in particular are often able to craft a more impactful image through negative space photography — a minimalist technique that allows the model to take up less of the frame than usual, with the surrounding space filled by sky or a similarly uncluttered background.
Minimalism is also a mainstay of landscape photography, where photographers use elements such as sky, hills, or grass to create space around their main subject. Urban landscape photographers similarly look for and hone in on patterns formed by architecture and manmade structures, without necessarily capturing an entire building within the frame.
Our top 6 minimalist photography tips
To ensure your minimalist photos are beautifully composed and curated — rather than just bare — we recommend experimenting with the following techniques on your next shoot.
1. Look for leading lines
Leading lines are lines within your image that direct your viewer's eye toward your subject. In an image of a tree atop a hill, for example, the sides of the hill leading up to the tree form the leading lines. Always look for continuous lines that gently and naturally draw the viewer's eye to the key focal point of your image.
2. Add texture
Negative space doesn't have to be completely empty, nor does it have to be white or a single plain colour. Add depth to your image by filling your background with interesting details, such as textured walls, spectrums of colour, or shadows.
3. Turn up the contrast
Create a bolder, punchier image by increasing the contrast between your subject and its surroundings. This can help your subject stand out more and will often result in a visually striking image — consider how dramatically a dark, silhouetted tree stands out against a white, blown-out sky.
4. Test various focal lengths
Depending on your subject and setting, switching to a different focal length can radically transform your image for the better. If you're shooting outdoors and wish to emphasise empty space within a landscape, a wider lens and shorter focal length can do the trick.
5. Think carefully about composition
While shooting, don't forget about basic photo composition techniques such as the rule of thirds. To maintain a minimalist aesthetic, keep these techniques in mind but be open to recomposing slightly if necessary to reduce overcrowding in your image.
6. Explore unexpected angles
Sometimes, particularly in an urban environment, finding a space that isn't jam-packed with detail can be a challenge. If you're struggling to frame a shot that doesn't feel crowded, try getting up high or down low — even the slightest shift in angle can vastly change the framing of your image.
Do more with less in the frame
Whether you're a seasoned photographer hoping to sharpen your eye for composition or a beginner wanting to take clean, well-composed images straight off the bat, minimalist photography is a great technique to experiment with. Learning to effectively tell a visual story with fewer elements is an important skill that can help you get great results in everything from portrait photography to landscape images and beyond.
Ready to put your new knowledge to the test? Discover our wide selection of digital cameras online, or visit our blog for more photography tips and tricks!