After being hit by such a glorious winter's day I had to get out for a hike with the camera. The environment screamed minimal to me so I spent an amount of time pausing to study dead grasses etc against their snowy backdrop.
This composition caught my eye and I'd love to know how others feel about it as I'm not convinced myself.
Do others find this too minimal, does not carry enough interest? I have included both the original color and converted B&W (with increased contrast) for review.
Comments good or bad are always treated as a gift, from seasoned veterans or newcomers alike.
I don't think there is such a thing a too minimal. Top shot is my pick. I love the look and composition.
I don't have a lot to add to Bruce's comment, but I will second it. I like the top one better as well.
I do think there needs to be something in an image that demands attention, so perhaps an image can be too minimal.
I may have miscommunicated my question - my concern revolves around whether or not the grasses provide enough interest in the image.
If you have thoughts on this/how you view the image in general (forget the comparison) I'd love to hear them.
I do think the grasses are interesting enough. But it's not just the grass - if you didn't tell us it was snow I'd be trying to figure out what it was. Was this taken after a winter storm or during a sun baked day near the equator? A close enough look reveals the answer but I like that it can make one wonder.
Great concept Alan.
How can something be too minimal? In fact I would venture to say that the closer you get to perfection in minimalism is the less there is in the image. A bit philosophical I know but...
These would look so good printed in large format and hung on a huge black wall.
"Too minimal" is like asking.... too silent? 🤔
Thanks for your words Julian, I think there is a fine balance between a strong minimal image and one that is boring.
Perhaps the line is not so much boredom as engagement.
I have seen people be 'bored' at huge venue music concerts, far far from any form of minimalism to be sure, so maybe boredom is a reflection of the degree of willingness to engage from the viewers side and not so much the art that is being shown.
Regardless this image with its various treatments is a strong study of line and composition.
Thanks for sharing this experiment with us Alan.
Thanks as always for your input Julian. All good points.
Gday Alan,
I'd like to see this with some of that background texture showing, and also bring up the shadows cast by the grass.