Mobile Photography – StreetWise – Third Challenge Results – Minimalism

Elaine Taylor’s image is a nice example of minimalism photography in which less is definitely more.

It is both a simple and beautiful photograph with a large swath of empty frame and a single person walking through it. The most important element is the boy as he makes his way, technology in hand. What’s interesting about Elaine’s photo are the subtle shapes of architectural design and construction upon the wall and in particular the geometric shadows in the negative space. Both immediately place the figure in a larger context. They give the sense of how humans occupy space, as well as create it. In fact, the background in relation to the boy gives the viewer a good idea of architecture on a large scale while not being distracting or competing for attention with the main subject.

Well done Elaine! Great shot!

Connie’s ‘Metro in Barcelona’ depicts a busy public space, and yet she has found a perfect niche in which she is able to boil down that busyness to simple lines that do not distract from the main subject, a girl waiting for the train.

Connie creates a very nice, as well as, interesting balance between detail and negative space. The viewer quickly takes in the small glimpse of track, the clean lines of the bench, the yellow wall, and an architectural opening through which Connie’s keen eye has found her subject. Yet, none of these details are competing with the subject. They simply give context and scale to the girl, who is all in black. Our eyes instead are drawn to her vibrant red hair giving her prominence against this simple yet referenced composition.

Wonderful image, Connie!

Christine’s image is a beautifully toned black and white photo where the dramatic architecture provides the backdrop for the subject ascending the almost seemingly oversized proportion of the stairs. There is not a lot of contrast to the main shadow that borders the stairs, but the dark trees and the small puff of white cloud at the top of the stairs help to punctuate the radial composition in it’s center, leading the viewer’s sight to follow the dark toned subject up the stairs with him.

Well done, Christine!

Rene’s photo is wonderfully composed in that it is very balanced by the tree to the right and the pole to the left. The lines on the sidewalk also help to draw us to the subjects initially. It is from there we begin to notice some interesting details.

The light on the woman’s arm on the right accentuate it against her dark shirt, which mirrors the shape and tones of the palm tree’s trunk.

There is almost an illusion that the bench on the right side is missing legs and that the women are mysteriously floating.

When one looks closer at the background behind them, you begin to notice that there is quite a dramatic sky going on, and yet ironically, the women are facing away from the ocean view, and seem to be quite involved in a conversation – as one would be with ‘an old friend.’

Fabulous, Rene!

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