Minimalism—I almost made the title of this post just "Minimalism" but that's a little bit open to interpretation, as it has a place in all visual arts, design, architecture and music, as well as a way of life in some cases. So, I added "in Photography" and this is still probably the shortest...
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19 Comments
Murray Foote
Posted at 16:25h, 05 JulyA post to savour, Maybe you should have called it “Min”.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 17:34h, 05 JulyThanks Murray! Yes, “Min” would have been good. 🙂
Janet Webster
Posted at 01:22h, 06 JulyI got maximum pleasure (and instruction) from your Minimalist post. Beautiful images and so informative. You do keep coming up with remarkable podcasts, Martin. Thanks.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 09:27h, 06 JulyThanks Janet! I’m pleased you liked this episode too. Thanks for taking the time to post!
Mark Harris
Posted at 23:22h, 06 JulyI’ve always enjoyed the use of minimalism in you photographs. A viewer’s eye does go to that which is different in an image.
I use minimalism, and lots of negative space, in my body abstraction work, in low key. I recently showed this image, link below, in a local art event. I was pleased in the often confused reaction 🙂
https://www.dropbox.com/s/issiotzi4zy527n/Sienna%20Luna%204-17-16-25.jpg?dl=0
Martin Bailey
Posted at 09:05h, 07 JulyThanks Mark!
Great shot! Is it someone’s abdomen? It’s perhaps even harder to tell at the web size. Still, very beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Mark Harris
Posted at 09:23h, 07 JulyThank you, Martin, for the encouraging comment. Yes, she was in profile facing camera left. This is back lit with a Westcott Ice Light and their barn doors.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 09:31h, 07 JulyVery cool Mark. Nicely done.
Do you have any more of this work posted online? If so, please share a link if that’s OK. I’d love to see more.
Mark Harris
Posted at 10:59h, 07 JulyThank you, again. The best place to start is my web site ( http://www.gsphotoguy.com ). There is an About page where I have links to the other locations where I post photographs. The best place is Flickr. My photostream contains many images NSFW but gives you a good idea of the ideas with which I’m experimenting.
Thank you so much for your interest, I’m honored you’ve asked.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 09:17h, 08 JulyBeautiful work Mark! I particularly like the one of the pregnant lady’s stomach with the strips of light. Very tastefully done. Thanks for sharing!
Mark Harris
Posted at 10:07h, 08 JulyThank you again, Martin. That was a west facing window, near sunset, and horizontal blinds. Katya was at 33 weeks then.
Michael Jolliffe
Posted at 05:56h, 07 JulyGreat episode Martin. There are so many ways to apply a minimalism philosophy to all types of photography. Really helps the viewer to get straight to the focal point and appreciate the form and composure.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 09:06h, 07 JulyThanks Michael! I’m pleased you enjoyed this episode. For sure, this isn’t just about landscape work.
Shane Herring
Posted at 18:39h, 07 JulyAnother great episode Martin. I always enjoy your explanations and your thoughts on photography. This one spoke to me in particular as I think more about simplifying my compositions. Still a ways to go but posts like this inspire me to continue on my journey.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 09:11h, 08 JulyThat’s great Shane! I’m happy to hear that this one resonated with you. The temptation to include everything of interest is hard to ignore sometimes, but I really feel that condensing images down to their essential elements helps to make them stronger.
Good luck on your journey, and do feel free to share your results.
Kenneth Pringle
Posted at 13:06h, 11 JulyThank you for a wonderfully thoughtful podcast and great photography. I appreciate the inspiration you pass along in your comments and pictures. Quick question. Do you have a printing suggestion for color and BW mimimalist photos that supports the emphasis on line and shape?
Martin Bailey
Posted at 16:50h, 11 JulyHi Kenneth,
Thanks for the kind words. I’m pleased you enjoyed this episode and what I do here.
My go to fine art media for most of my work these days is Breathing Color’s Pura Bagasse Smooth. This is a beautiful paper, with a very fine texture that suits most photography. I also use the Bagasse Textured sometimes, as this adds a beautiful texture of its own, but it doesn’t suit all images, and can sometimes get in the way. I discussed both of these new media types here: https://mbp.ac/484
If totally crisp, sharp lines are a part of the image, I also use Breathing Color’s Vibrance Metallic. I created a 24 x 36 inch print of the below photo for a customer on Vibrance Metallic last week, and it looked so good I printed myself a copy too to put over my desk. 🙂
https://martinbaileyphotography.com/product/konpira-jinja-torii/
I’m assuming that your question was regarding self printing, but if you mean a printing service, you might want to check out zno.com. They have some incredible products and the quality is off the charts IMO.
Cheers,
Martin.
Kenneth Pringle
Posted at 23:24h, 13 JulyWow, great reply. Thank you for all the effort you put into this service to photographers.
All my best, ken
Martin Bailey
Posted at 23:27h, 13 JulyYou’re very welcome Ken!