minimalist

Sometimes I fill my photographic canvas, from edge to edge, corner to corner. But sometimes, keeping the frame open can be as effective in capturing the moment at hand, if not more so.

I'm a believer in the idea that we often shoot images that evoke the kinds of emotions that we are experiencing at the time we shoot an image. I'm pretty sure it's not even voluntary. I think our photography, our art, is an expression of not only who we are but what we are feeling.

As I look at this shot of minimalist beauty, I recognize the peace I was feeling at the time. It was as if the view from my window seat was like a mirror.

There could never be a shot that speaks more of a quiet calm that something like this image; so sparse and simple.

Have you ever captured something so simple, so sparing that embodied so much emotion? Do share something today that quietly stirs you soul.

Comments

[Kat]

Beautiful image, it definitely evokes a sense of peace. Those colors on the horizon are fantastic.

I find a similar sense of peace, with this barely-there image I captured in the fog:
http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/01/into-fog.html

[marina]

amazing shot!!! those colours and sliver of moon are awesome! and it is indeed peaceful.
here's a shot that evokes the sense of quiet happiness and liberation I was feeling the summer morning I took it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mar_s/4954821369/lightbox/

[Marcie]

Ohhhhh...I just love these minimalistic kinds of images. Here's one I took about a year ago when in Italy:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1054
And - another - taken just a few short days ago on a rainy day:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1353

[Elizabeth Harper@giftsofthejourney]

I have been traveling through New Zealand this week seeing all kinds of things that stir me up emotionally and sometimes I too like to leave a lot of room in my shot totally ignoring all the rules that say it's not okay. Okay for me is what I say is okay as well as what I might need in the moment ... like the napping spot in the first image below.

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/cathedral-cove-and-other-places-for-daydreaming/

[Lee]

Stunning.

[Kathleen]

filling my lungs with clean, salt water sprayed air is something i need on a regular basis - and seeing those blues of sea and sky http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5169325940/

[Jennifée]

Gorgeous image - sometimes one just needs to clear the mind and be alone with the moon.

One of my favourite minimalist images is this one - I love how the simplicity seems to bring out the life and energy in a flock of birds:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/5050231171/

[Misty]

I think you are absolutely right. Involuntary.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5118781719/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5033014676/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5128381111/

[lucy]

Your photo is just breathtaking with that slice of luscious color and the snippet of a moon.

The ocean seems to lend itself to minimalism, since it has it's own unique power -- here's one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/4694098139/

[Jill F]

http://fingerontheshutter.com/

My picture isn't quite as minimalist as your gorgeous shot, but the feeling is peaceful.

[Pam]

Mine is a flower on a windowsill. I always have flowers on my windowsill, they bring me peace in every stage of their life:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidewalkshoes/4893348689/in/set-72157623814242828/

[Beth]

I took this last night. Wasn't sure what I was hoping to find, and was confused about how I was feeling, but then I got this and it filled my heart and I just knew.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/5168136942/lightbox

[Debi]

You are right. Our photography is an expression of what we are feeling. When I stop trying so hard, I am so much better. My non iPhone cellphone camera seems to be my friend in this. This image is lately my favorite, taken at the end of my birthday - a celebration that began with the World Series and seemed a week long. Fabulous, full of love, but I was exhausted, needed quiet. And fell into it.

http://emmatree.blogspot.com/2010/11/late-birthday-evening-lily-in-my-lap.html

[Kelly]

I love minimalism in photography. It really helps to clear my mind.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cu_tiger/4058110416/

[BlessedMess]

just beautiful. And I imagine the white noise hum of the plane adding to the hush of this image.

I was on vacation with my extended family. It was my husbands turn to get the boys to bed and everyone else was cleaning up from dinner and I stole away, with my glass of wine for a rare moment of solitude and quiet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/4827842225/

[Kara]

I love how the moon, ever so small, stands out in this photo. Peaceful.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ketchuplover/4807377626/in/set-72157623326104555/

[spread your wings]

you shot is amazing and certainly conjures up a peaceful feeling
i take a lot of minimalist images but here are a few i'm fond of
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4663865606/in/set-72157624687364504/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3938773237/in/set-72157624799500835/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4631105762/in/set-72157624799500835/

[Janet]

Love that moon :-) Here's my version of <a href="http://fondofsnape.com/?p=3885">minimalist</a> taken from high up in the sky.

[Corinna]

What an absolutely *stunning* capture. Pictures like this inspire me and make me want to quit, all at once. (I definitely won't quit!) Oh minimalism, I feel like I need more of you in my life. When I do find a way to capture you, I am always delighted:

http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2010/10/29/in-praise-of-limitations.html

[WorthIt!]

This is one of my favorite shots from this summer's trip to Jordan - when I look at it, I immediately feel the heat and smell the salt evaporating and stinging my eyes. Serenity on the shores of the Dead Sea.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/5169259283/

[joey]

Your shot reminded me of this one. This boy means the moon (and stars and all the planets) to me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19379573@N06/5169339801/

[AndreaKP]

I took this picture while visiting the Orkney Islands. For me it evoked the peacefulness of a time long gone where the home revolved around the ever burning peat fires. A peat fire in a farm museum created the smoky atmosphere in this shot and I liked the way the kettle emerged from the smoke speaking of nourishment and warmth:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amaranthroad/5077030359/in/set-72157625153818682/

[andie]

Mine: http://www.andieedwards.com/blog/2010/11/12/preserving-autumn/

[Jane]

Here's one from my most beloved spot in the world - the north shore of Lake Superior:

http://justplainjane-jane.blogspot.com/2010/06/nobody-heard-him-dead-man-but-still-he.html

[Trude]

I'm not sure how simple this image is, but for me it embodied a lot of what I've been feeling lately - finding beauty in the every day, taking the time to look up and down and all around, and being amazed by all of it. :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/5104569993/

[Breanne]

I don't often taken minimalist shots even though I regularly find myself fascinated by them.

Here's one that's intentionally minimal: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleach226/381530898/

And one that's minimal due to the lighting conditions (and I love it): http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleach226/4235082337/

[Jennifer]

wow, this image is stunning. completely took my breath away

[cara]

i did this just recently in fact! it is a very useful, effective thing to do with the composition when you can...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/5165031559/

[Bettina]

i have been learning to see the beauty in the lessor :) your picture is amazing!

natures blue angels
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/5066796948/
a cloud
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/4978372573/
a plane
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/5147795054/
a leaf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettina2/5152801289/

[Vanessa]

i think i know what you mean...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/4951217712/

[Rikki D. Dy-Liacco]

Minimalism is greatly effective. Here's one of mine.

http://www.photosbyrikki.com/darkroom/open-skies/

[neha rai]

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