Minimalist Photography

Quote of the day: “How difficult it is to be simple.” — Vincent Van Gogh

After the heavy rain yesterday we awoke to a blanket of fog muffling the morning sun. As I drove to a meeting this morning I noticed the beauty of the fog over Medicine Lake. The far bank of the lake was shrouded in soft cotton wool and the light of the morning sun trying to break through the fog created a bright white light over the lake with magnificent reflections.

Though I had my camera, I was running late for my meeting, and could not stop. After my meeting I drove back to East Medicine Lake Park hoping to find some of the magic still remained.  The light was different. But there was just enough fog remaining to make beautiful moody, minimalist photos.

As I photographed I noticed a white sea gull emerging from the fog. I managed to get several shots with the bright white soaring bird the only brightness in the photo.

A small boat near the far bank created a scene of solitude and peace. With the trees shrouded by fog this scene looks like it was shot on a remote lake somewhere. All signs of the city that surround Medicine Lake have been hidden by the fog.

I purposely shot several images of the same shoreline varying the height of the horizon line so that I could experience the difference it made in the overall feel of the photo. Of the three photos, I am surprised to find that I like the one with the horizon smack dab in the middle the best. I expected that I would prefer one with the horizon in the top or bottom third, but for this image, the balance of the horizon in the middle creates such a feeling of peace and expansion for me that it is the one I prefer.

How about you? Which one do you prefer? Why?

Try simplifying your landscape photographs. Look for lighting that supports minimalist photographs.