The Quieter Things

Minimalism: A style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity -Merrium-Webster Dictionary

     I remember when I first started art I felt like all of my ideas had to be larger than life with elaborate Photoshop as my tool to create visions beyond what I was capable to capture with the lens. I was always better at editing than I was at strait photography. I took a photo then edited it into a great one but now I feel like I have grown as a photographer to meet where I was as a Photoshop artist. One thing I have really noticed about my personal style lately is that it is largely influenced by the minimalism movement. I have learned that the beauty of the photo is enough and that Photoshop is a tool to enhance. While I do still love composing fantasy out of reality, I can say that I am enjoying the art of photography in its purest form which is something I was unable to do several years ago.

     Currently at my college, almost every time we critique each other's work in class someone will say about another's work that their subject is too centered and it would be better if they framed the image with the subject lying on one of the thirds. In some instances I could agree, but there were plenty of times when I was irked at the phrase "too centered". Minimalism praises symmetry which typically leaves the subject directly in the center. When an image is well executed then the minimalist styling is quite soothing. I love knowing that the image could do nothing with anything more. It's a style that no critique can add to.

     Here are a couple shots I have been taking recently that I really love because of how simple they are. They are close to me even though I wasn't working on them until 2 A.M. on Photoshop.

Minimalism is where the frail are seen and the quiet are noticed. It is where subtle is blinding and chaos is ignored. It is the poet with one line and the painter with one stroke.

P.S. Try to ignore the watermark in the images now. I only do it to protect myself and my art.