6 Minimalist Photography Tips from COOPH

Minimalist photography is a style that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, with many photographers striving to create simple and powerful images that convey a sense of calm and tranquility. To achieve this, minimalist photography requires a keen eye for detail, careful composition, and an ability to identify and capture the essential elements of a scene or subject. In this article, we will explore some tips and techniques for creating effective minimalist photographs, from selecting the right gear and setting up your shot, to choosing the right lighting and post-processing techniques. Whether you’re an experienced photographer looking to explore a new style, or a beginner looking to hone your skills, these tips will help you create stunning minimalist images that are both visually striking and emotionally evocative.

Minimalist Portrait Photography

Minimalist portrait photography is a style of portraiture that emphasizes simplicity, clean lines, and a focus on the essential elements of the subject. In this approach, the photographer seeks to capture the essence of the person, rather than distracting details or busy backgrounds. The result is often a powerful and emotionally evocative image that conveys a sense of stillness, intimacy, and quiet contemplation. Minimalist portrait photography often employs a limited color palette, strong contrasts, and bold shapes or patterns to create striking images, and requires careful attention to composition and lighting. This style of portraiture is ideal for capturing the unique qualities of an individual, and can be used to create images that are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

Create interesting silhouettes by backlighting your portraits, OR by creating interesting light shapes!

Minimalist Photography with Objects (Still Life)

Use double-sided tape to let you create some unique angles with your props, or simply create some imprints in a tray full of flour for some snow-like aerial shots.

Simple Forms for Minimalism

Symmetry can be found everywhere! Simply walk around your home to find some unique shapes and shadows. Play with under/overexposing your shots for added effect.

Using Colors in Minimalist Photography

Using colors in minimalist photography can be a powerful tool for creating striking and evocative images. Minimalism often involves a limited color palette, with a focus on a few key colors that can create a strong visual impact. A skilled minimalist photographer knows how to use color to convey emotion, mood, and atmosphere, without overwhelming the viewer with too much detail. By choosing a simple color scheme and playing with contrasts, saturation, and tonality, minimalist photographers can create images that are both elegant and expressive. Whether working with black and white or bold, vibrant hues, the careful use of color can be an effective way to draw the viewer’s eye to the most important elements of a scene or subject, and to create images that are both visually powerful and emotionally resonant.

Find bright colors or complementary colors to illuminate and isolate for some interesting minimalistic fine art.

Empty Space in Minimalist Photography

This is a personal favorite of mine, find an object to shoot against the same or similar color, or something to show off the color contrast, like a tree against the white sky or a simple white chair in the snow!

Lights in the Dark

Expose for the lighting in your home or outside to create some interesting and moody minimalistic images

As you can tell from the video and examples shown, it’s pretty easy to find some interesting and creative minimalistic artworks around your home!