A go at minimalism - Saw Palmetto

[xpatUSA]

First the scene:



A lot of woodland clutter - hard to separate the plants - impossible OOC without post-processing.

So I moved in and shot the "heart" and cropped the left half out.



Compositional comments invited. Please ignore the camera shake ...

[FootLoose]

Moving in is a step in the right direction. You might also consider framing the shot before releasing the shutter. In this example you might have tilted the camera to the left to frame a selection of the palm where the boring brown background is showing through frond.

[xpatUSA]

Moving in is a step in the right direction. You might also consider framing the shot before releasing the shutter. In this example you might have tilted the camera to the left to frame a [section] of the palm where the boring brown background is [not] showing through frond.

Good point, Greg. Worth another foray into the back yard and maybe set 1:1 AR too. Shoot, might even take a tripod and put some effort into it ...

[Manfred M]

Ted - I don't know if you own one, but using a tripod really helps a lot when doing a shot like this.

My final step before pressing the shutter release is to run my eye around the perimeter of the viewfinder to see what the shot looks like. If it has things in it that it shouldn't, just recompose and go through the process again.

[xpatUSA]

Ted - I don't know if you own one, but using a tripod really helps a lot when doing a shot like this.

Yes, I have two Giottos models. One is a shorter model that I used for bench-top work long ago. It would work well for aiming at the heart of the frond.

My final step before pressing the shutter release is to run my eye around the perimeter of the viewfinder to see what the shot looks like. If it has things in it that it shouldn't, just recompose and go through the process again.

Yes, and assessing the frame is pretty easy on the G9's fully articulated LCD. My problem is a degree of impatience when shooting bent down with my wobbly legs - so really, a tripod is necessary for that kind of shot.

[Wavelength]

I like the close up; also may wait for a fresh leaf to unfold.

[selig1656]

The less is more: I am not sure the first capture is traditional minimalism
RSF_7834 edited Righteousness Still Stands (There is hope) by Raymond Friedman, on Flickr

[xpatUSA]

The less is more: I am not sure the first capture is traditional minimalism
RSF_7834 edited Righteousness Still Stands (There is hope) by Raymond Friedman, on Flickr

The first capture wasn't meant to be minimalist, rather it was meant to show the opposite thereof. The second image was up for C&C - but thanks for showing me an excellent example of a blurred background.

[Urbanflyer]

I studied with Michael Moore of Miksang and enjoy that approach to shooting. Less is More is not really the mantra I would quote. It is rather--what draws you to the image, then eliminate those pieces that are not relevant to what drew you there to begin with.

[xpatUSA]

I studied with Michael Moore of Miksang and enjoy that approach to shooting. Less is More is not really the mantra I would quote. It is rather--what draws you to the image, then eliminate those pieces that are not relevant to what drew you there to begin with.

Interesting, Judith. I bought The Book last year and must admit that "seeing" has yet to become one of my many talents ...

[Urbanflyer]

Interesting, Judith. I bought The Book last year and must admit that "seeing" has yet to become one of my many talents ...

It takes time and a mindset. Michaels exercises were really helpful, and they were not necessarily with camera in hand.

[xpatUSA]

A couple more shots today:





Puts me in mind of a peacock ...

Mebbe I need to finish reading The Book ... LOL

[Wavelength]

These are really good

[FootLoose]

On the first one, crop in from the left to remove the ugly background and you'll have a minimalist composition.

[Wavelength]

Can a fill frame image a minimalistic image? My thought is that there must be one or two subject within the frame with large empty space which strengthens the subject(s)

[xpatUSA]

On the first one, crop in from the left to remove the ugly background and you'll have a minimalist composition.

Like this?

[xpatUSA]

Can a fill frame image be a minimalistic image?

I was inspired by this thread:

Minimalist Photography with Judy Hancock Holland

There, Dave mentions- "capturing the essence that attracted me to take the shot" ...

My thought is that there must be one or two subjects within the frame with a large empty space which strengthens the subject(s)

... I know of the style which we see Kaskais using a lot. What I don't know is if this is the only style that can be called "Minimalism".

[FootLoose]

Like this?

Yes, that is what I had in mind. Although, I suspect this would be one of those pictures that Holland starts with and says "this is ok but.." and would then show you a picture of a much smaller part of the palm. :-)

[FootLoose]

I was inspired by this thread:

Minimalist Photography with Judy Hancock Holland

There, Dave mentions- "capturing the essence that attracted me to take the shot" ...



... I know of the style which we see Kaskais using a lot. What I don't know is if this is the only style that can be called "Minimalism".

No it's not. You can google Minimalism in Photography (if you only use minimalism you'll get links to all the nut cases who practice minimal lifestyles telling you how to live your life) and see many examples of minimalist photography.

The kind of thing Nanda is talking about is one. What you have done is another. I do stuff myself which I describe as "minimalistic" rather than minimalism. It heads in the direction of minimalism but I don't think it is there.