Types Of Minimalism

There are 8 Types of Minimalism in Minimalist Photography 

I will take each one of these sub-types one by one and lay-down my interpretations of the same. I will also included photo examples for each Type of Minimalism for better comprehension.

1) Minimalism as Less Elements

Explanation: Here one isolated singular subject can be used as the primary subject, so that it receives 100% percent attention span. A secondary supporting subject can also be used to enhance the composition. But it should be made sure that if not 100% at least the majority of the attention of the viewer remains with the primary subject.

Example:

Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Less Elements)
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As you can see above, I have used a primary subject i.e the Red Pipe and a supporting subject aka the Gray Pipe, which shares less attention, as it is of the same color as the wall. The number of elements in this Minimalist Photograph are limited to two and focus on them has been enhance or redirected by using a lot of empty or Negative Space.

2) Minimalism as Few Distinctive Colors

Explanation: You can also use a mix of Few Contrasting Colors, primarily forming some shapes, patterns or lines as core in a Minimalist Photograph. Ideally, keep at least two to three colors in the palette, if not more. At the same time you must try to restrict the overall elements in the frame. Keep it simple.  

Example:

Photo By © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism using Few Distinctive Colors)
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3) Minimalism as in Small Objects 

Explanation: This form of Minimal is literal in nature, where the subject shown is very small aka Minimal in size, in comparison to the overall elements within the frame. Such Minimalist Photographs remind us of how Minuscule our existence is in this Infinite Universe.

Example:

Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as in Small Objects)
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4) Minimalism as Simple Geometry

Explanation:  Use of Simple Geometric Shapes such as circles, lines, curves, squares, cylinder, rectangles, triangles etc are some of the Basic Geometric Shapes one can use in such Minimalist Photographs. One does not need to use all of these shapes within a Single Photograph. You can use one or more or maybe even many of these, till the time you keep the Photograph as decluttered as possible. 

Example:

Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Simple Geometry)
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Like in the above example, I have used only "1 Line or Line" aka the Side-Railing of a staircase, as my only Subject. I could have used multiple lines as well by including the Steps. Those steps could also have been be looked upon as more Lines and Rectangles (again simple geometric shapes). 

5) Minimalism as Parts of the Whole

Explanation: In such kind of Minimalist Photographs, a lot is left to the Imagination of the viewer. Here, we only show a part or a snippet of the main subject to the viewer and make him imagine the whole/rest of it. This creates a sense of Mystery about the subject and therefore, this is a great way to make the viewer engage and connect with the Minimalist Photograph.

Example:

Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Parts of the Whole)
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6) Minimalism as in Repeating Shapes

Explanation: Images comprising of symmetrical repetition of mainly Basic Geometrical Shapes (ideally) fall under this category of Minimalist Photography. Let's take an example to better understand this.

 Example:

Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as in Repeating Shapes)
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In the above Photograph, you can see 6 Windows on a Wall. These Windows have perfect basic Geometric Shapes aka Rectangles, and they are in repetition and placed in a symmetrical manner, depicting some kind of order. 

7) Minimalism as Low Detail

Explanation: Such Minimalist Photos generally carry very Low Detail. Most of the details are intentionally left out. This lack of detail engages the view quite well and are generally thought provoking. These images are not Abstract in nature, one can still relate the subject depicted to real life/world. 

Example:

Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Minimalism as Low Detail)
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8) Zeroism

Explanation: In such Minimalist Photographs the subject may not be directly pointed at by the Photographer. The viewer  of the Photograph is intentionally made to guess what the actual subject might be or how the photographer wants him to move his eye visually in the frame. The elements may or may not be clearly identifiable or relatable to any real world object/reference at first glance or maybe even later. Such photos can also be compared with abstracts and in some circumstances they can also be categorized as Abstract Minimalism.

Example:

Photo by © Prakash Ghai - (Zerosim)
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Source: https://sites.google.com/site/minimalismgroup/define

I hope the above Examples of Minimalist Photographs help in explaining each Type of Minimalism in Photography. 

Before you start capturing your first few Minimalist Photographs, I would also suggest you to read my other post Train your Eyes for Minimalist Photography. 

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--- Now you can also enroll for Online Classes on Minimalist Photography via Zoom or Google Meet. Click here: Online Classes

More on Minimalist Photography:

 

• Phases of Life and Photography: & where "Minimalism" fits in
• Exploring Suppressed Inner Creativity via Minimalist Photography
• Minimalist Photography Video Part - I
• Buy Minimalist Photos