April — A Year in Photographs — Minimalism

Traffic Cones — Day 110

Minimalism is both my favorite and most challenging photography subject—perhaps people are too. I spend my time wondering to find something that fits the description, which is a challenge to define as is.

Is ‘minimalism’ in photography few items in the frame? No color? High contrast and removing significant details? As with most subjects in photography, there are rules, but most rules I find to be an excuse to be lazy.

Walking down a city street, passing trash cans, cars, people, lights, windows, and sometimes it being cold, warm, sunny, or raining, perhaps minimalism is the act of finding less in a place where there is abundance.

March — A Year in Photographs — Triptych

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I enjoyed my February of Lines and Curves but found I wasn’t as inspired. Perhaps it was the business of the month presented to me or that I subconsciously wanted something different, but in fact, I think it was that I was photographing a subject rather than a concept.

My favorite months in #AYearinPhotographs have been when a specific concept was the driving force behind the photography. For example, Street Fashion Photography in 2023, or Night Photography where the subjects were both the people and the scene, but the people were motioned blurred, creating specters in otherwise normal and even boring locations.

Triptychs have always been a curious exercise for me, where all the photos are related in some capacity. The challenge is finding not just one photograph of the day but three.

Each day is a concept, theme, and story in and of itself.

February — A Year in Photographs — Lines and Curves

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Grass and Arches — Day 036

Lines, such as leading lines and the rule of thirds, are fundamental elements in photography. I believe taking a slightly different perspective for a month offers an optimal experience, yet it also presents a challenge. While there are numerous lines and curves in the world, both are essential for capturing the essence of this photography theme.

Strange… you’d think this was easy but while I was in Florida visiting family, it took a keen eye to find something that I wanted to photograph.

As we enjoyed the sunshine, a moment would present itself—a short detour, circling a block, or a walk down a different path. Most of my photography is a solo adventure but sometimes family guides you to just the right place.