Inspiration: Simplicity & Minimalism
I don’t know about you— but I tend to overcomplicate things, especially when planning photoshoots! Sometimes, more more more gives us less less less in terms of impact in our photos.
Being inspired by simplicity and minimalism can help enhance the visual impression and storytelling in our images! Working within the constraints of simplicity can also be a creative challenge— giving us an excuse to think differently, experiment with composition, and push our artistic limits. Read on to learn about the benefits of keeping it simple, and get inspired by the amazing photos that come from it!
Clear focus on subject
Fewer elements in the frame allows our subject to take center stage! Viewers can immediately identify what the photo is about, connect with the subject, and understand its significance in the image.
Image by Aneta Pribova
Edited with Quest 27 Serenus
Image by Jessica McCarty-Carvajal
Edited with Quest 24 Floresce
Tip: Give your subject lots of clean, uncluttered space so they attract attention. This can be done using a minimalistic landscape on location, or a simple wall or studio backdrop
Image by Lydia Harper
Edited with the upcoming Quest 28 Descent
Close-ups illicit emotion and intimacy
Even in the most busy settings, you can zero in on your subject by photographing close-ups. Focus on their features, emotion, even the wind in their hair or the way the light hits your subject to utilize simplicity in your images.
Image by Mariola Zoladz
Edited with the upcoming Quest 28 Descent
Image by Kacie Jones
Edited with Quest 14 InstantFilm BW
Calming aesthetic
Minimalistic images evoke calm, serenity, and tranquility. They allow the viewer to contemplate the image, giving them a visual respite, a rest stop from visual busyness.
Image by Marielle Jai Media
Edited with the upcoming Quest 28 Descent
Image by Anna Ascari
Edited with Quest 24 Floresce
Tip: Create visual simplicity by using a limited color palette. The above image has a riot of textures, but visually it feels minimalistic because most of the tones are soft pinks.
Simple timelessness
Elegant. Timeless. Ageless. These are some of the descriptors we often attribute to simple imagery. Minimal and simple images transcend trends and remain captivating for years.
Lean into the timeless quality with your editing, using true colors and emphasizing the way the image felt in the moment you took it.
Image by Klaudia Graňáková
Edited with Quest 27 Serenus, Tilt Shift Middle
Image by Ale Bigliazzi
Edited with Quest 13 Intrepid
What is your favorite way to incorporate simplicity into your images? Tell us in the comments!