Minimalist photography has been around for many years, with lots of photographers exploring the creative opportunities with ‘less is more’. Minimalism as an art movement never gets old. Good minimalist photos are still in high demand and are often used in design and marketing, with professionals actively buying these images on stock photography websites.

Many beginner photographers work with minimalist aesthetics as it doesn’t seem so hard at first glance. However, minimalist photography is not so easy and has its rules. This article includes basic tips on minimalist photography that might come in handy for beginner and amateur photographers.

1. Composition is key

There isn’t much going on in minimalist images, right? That means even the slightest mistake in composition can throw off the balance. You should pay attention to composition first and foremost when shooting minimalist photos. The right framing and composition can drastically improve your images and make your subject stand out.

You don’t need to spend weeks researching composition rules. You can use the rule of thirds in your shots since composition based on it works really well with minimalistic photography. Focusing on isolated subjects and objects also gives you enough room to experiment with composition outside of the established rules.



2. Leave some negative space

Another important thing that will make your minimalist shots more appealing is negative space. Empty space around your subject can do wonders for your photos. That’s why you should experiment with leaving enough space when you place a subject or object in focus. For example, you can use the sky as your negative space around your subject.

3. Search for leading lines

Since you can’t add much action to your minimalist shots but still need to catch a viewer’s attention, you should find leading lines to make your image intriguing and appealing. Leading lines in your framing help draw attention to specific parts of your image and guide the viewer’s eye to the central focus of the shot. There are many things around you that can be used for these purposes. A road, an interesting staircase, a riverbank, power lines, walls, bridges, or even some surfaces in your house.

4. Remove all the distractions

With minimalist photography, less is more. You should always aim to keep it as simple as possible, which means you should try to cut out as many distracting elements as possible from your images. Isolate your main subject and cut away everything that is not important to make your image more intriguing, airy, and precise.

5. Add alternative meaning with color and contrast

You can drastically change the meaning behind your shots experimenting with different color schemes. With minimalist photography, you can use two or three contrasting colors to make your images more appealing. Don’t use too many hues as that can make your pictures look messy.

Contrast plays an important role in minimalism since it can establish a specific atmosphere in your images. With color alone, you can achieve minimalist shots if there is enough contrast between those colors and your subject. Color is a powerful resort for minimalist photography and can add layers of symbolism to your shots.

6. Leave it black and white

A popular focus for photographers experimenting with minimalism is black and white photos. You can experiment with both black and white photography in settings, or shoot in color and convert your minimalist shots to black and white during post-production. Keep in mind that even a simple conversion of color shots to black and white can transform pictures that look less interesting in color versions.



7. Pay attention to patterns and simple geometric shapes

There are many minimalist images out there that focus on different patterns and shapes. Shooting similar images in a series will help you improve your skills and find interesting subjects and objects for your minimalist efforts. Be attentive when you walk around and you might notice small details with patterns to shoot for practice. You can also find interesting things to shoot indoors without leaving home.

Simple geometric shapes, whether they are part of a pattern or some separate objects, look amazing in minimalist shots. You can add dynamics to your images or make them more still, depending on the shapes and subjects you choose.

8. Find inspiration in urban areas

Sometimes it’s really a tough job to come up with ideas on what to shoot, especially when you are at the very start of your journey with photography. If you want to experiment with minimalist photography but don’t know where to start, you can search for inspiration simply by walking around your neighborhood.

Urban areas are a perfect place for minimalist shots since they provide a wide range of ideas for photos. Pay attention to architectural details, electricity and power lines, railroads, signs, bus stops, and unconventional constructions. Inspiration is all around you.



An afterthought

Minimalism is not the easiest genre of photography since it requires extra research, more planning, and technique. It’s good to set some challenges for yourself when you are a beginner. You should try your hand in minimalist photography since it’s a good genre to study basics about composition, experimenting with negative space, leading lines, and color schemes. Shooting minimalist pictures will make you a better photographer if you’re up for new challenges and experiments.

Image credits: Depostiphotos