First Attempt At Minimalism.

[Stan Hesketh]

The concept of minimalistic photography has caught my interest lately. I have made a first attempt with an elderly Fuji digital and would welcome comments and advice re. images and the subject in general (hope I've put this in right section.) Many thanks.

 

[Dave Green]

First two do the minimalist thing best for me Stan. They need a bit of a straighten though. Is that Heysham Nuclear Power Station on the skyline?

Bridge 39 - if we're on the Lancaster Canal that's about Garstang I think?

 

[Paul Lange]

I think the first two are much closer to minimalism too. IMO, generally, for a minimalist image you have to use a limited set of colours that either contrast strongly with each other, or are a narrow range of tones. I think the first two photographs work better for that reason. I am sure there are literally millions of minimalistic photographs online, but you might like Amad Bahi's photographs. He is a member on RPF but he hasn't posted for quite some time.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I think they are all way too busy to be categorised as minimalist. But irrespective of how one might categorise them, I think there are some fine images there. Just chuck out everything in the pictures, and what you are left with will be minimalist.

 

[Stan Hesketh]

Thanks folks. Some very helpful comments. I'll keep trying

 

[Brian Moore]

I agree with several other comments above, Stan. The sloping horizon in the first two could use some correction, and the images are rather busy as Rob pointed out. However, there are some nice images here. Also, I agree with Paul's recommendation to look up here on RPF some of the images posted by @ahmad bhai, (who may have left RPF) whose minimalist images were often quite stunning in my opinion.

 

[Beth Carter]

as others have said, you have some great shots regardless.

@Paul Lange is another one to check out for minimalism. if you grabbed the dodge tool in photoshop and dodged all of the detail out of beach and sky in the first shot and just had the horizon it would be about right for minimalism. look into getting an nd filter, it will let you experiment with longer shutter speeds that will help you get smooth skies with no cloud detail.

 

[Stan Hesketh]

Thanks Beth, Rob and everyone else for your useful comments. Got a better idea of what I'm after now; it is a totally new subject to me. Will try some more shots later.

 

[Andrew Cotterill]

Some nice shots there. I'd be tempted to crop everything from the pylon shot that isn't pylon or sky, that'd give you a 'cleaner' less cluttered shot.

I love the last one, great delicate colours and composition. Not sure if it's minimalism, but I like it!

 

[Stan Hesketh]

Thanks will give that a go.

 

[Stan Hesketh]

Another attempt:

 

[Andrew Cotterill]

Nice. I think the pylons look better now, I think the ground was detracting from the stark lines.

I like the last shot - very stark and minimal. what is it?

 

[Stan Hesketh]

It is the galvanised steel on the side of my shed, turned through 45 degrees, Andrew. Top one is the car bonnet after a shower.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Why not come up with a theme? So go for minimal landscapes for eg and perfect that... Or minimal urban shots maybe. I always think trying to concentrate on one area helps give direction to the learning process a little more ...

Regardless of that, some nice shots ... I think the second would work well in black and white!

 

[Paul Lange]

It is the galvanised steel on the side of my shed, turned through 45 degrees, Andrew. Top one is the car bonnet after a shower.

What, you take your car into the shower with you, you must really love it!

With the crop the framing of the pylons within pylons become far more obvious which I really like.

 

[Stan Hesketh]

Thanks for ideas folks, I think a theme is a good idea. I need to study this subject