Minimalist Street Photography
Today, I want to take a look at some of my recent photographs in the Photos app on my iPad and discuss ideas about minimalism and composition. Lately, I’ve been embracing high-contrast black and white photography, stripping my work down to the essentials.
The Evolution of My Photography
Over the past two years, I’ve been more prolific than ever before. I’ve made around 250,000 frames, and I’ve favorited about 3,400 images from 2023 alone. This new snapshot approach has me walking the same monotonous route every day, yet finding new ways to isolate moments and create minimalist compositions.
“I’m trying to strip down to the basics of light and shadow play and isolate people within my frames.”
In the past, I focused on layering and depth, but now my goal is to simplify. I’m honing in on light and shadow to produce cleaner, more focused images.
Observing the Details
Not only am I photographing people, but I’m also capturing fleeting moments—
- Cigarette butts on the ground
- Textures on walls
- Random found objects like newspapers and pennies
By using the macro feature on my Ricoh camera, I’m able to get closer and focus on the intricate details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“The world around you is the canvas.”
This approach allows me to elevate the mundane and find meaning in the overlooked.
Embracing Light and Shadow
To achieve a minimalist aesthetic, I often isolate subjects using light and shadow. One technique I’ve adopted is underexposing by one stop, which helps me emphasize important elements while crushing the unnecessary details into shadow.
For example:
“By underexposing, I was able to highlight the interesting moment of birds flying by the river while crushing the shadows of the water.”
This technique adds an element of mystery to the frame, making the viewer focus on what truly matters.
Becoming a Flaneur
Approaching life like a flaneur, I’m observing the overlooked details of everyday life—
- Capturing objects left behind
- Noticing the beauty in textures
- Finding novelty in the mundane
I’m constantly reminded to embrace the impermanence of life and put order to the chaos through my frames.
Letting Go and Letting the Camera Work
One of the most freeing aspects of this approach is letting go. I’m no longer controlling every element of the frame but instead allowing life to unfold naturally before me.
“I’m letting the chips fall as they may. What I see in the photograph is not necessarily what I saw—it’s what the camera saw.”
This snapshot mentality allows me to photograph with a raw, spontaneous energy, free from overthinking.
The Power of Minimalism
Minimalism strips away distractions and allows the emotion in the frame to shine through. Whether it’s a hand gesture or the draping of a nun’s clothing in the background, simplicity brings clarity.
“By embracing minimalism, I’m able to remove the superfluous and focus on what really matters.”
Through this process, I’m able to create photographs that reflect how I feel about the world, rather than just capturing reality as it is.
Returning to the Amateur Mindset
By embracing the snapshot mentality, I’m approaching photography with a renewed sense of curiosity—
- I’m not hunting for the perfect shot.
- I’m responding to what life presents.
- I’m playing like a kid with my camera.
“I’m just there, I’m the vessel, and the camera is the thing that does all the work.”
This mindset allows me to stay in an infinitely curious state, and every day feels like day one.
Conclusion
Ultimately, photography is about uplifting the mundane and creating new worlds through light and shadow. Reality can be boring, but with the camera in hand, it becomes something extraordinary.
“Maybe I won’t live forever, but at least I can make a photograph.”
By continuing to photograph loosely, with no set intention, I allow life to tell its own story. And in doing so, I find my own reflection in the images I create.