Modern digital cameras offer countless settings, automatic functions, and AI support. Lenses expand the angle of view or make tiny details visible. One can use accessories to adjust the light or provide additional illumination, position the camera at any angle one wants, trigger the camera remotely, change colors, or remove color altogether. Then, after the photo is taken, ultra-intelligent editors take the scene, removing unwanted objects from the frame, replacing the sky, enforcing artistic effects, overlaying multiple shots, removing any imperfections, or changing the perspective and the depth of field.
Photography has become a complicated process, computerized and impersonal. We get to see the shots we’ve just taken immediately and decide whether we need another one or a better one. All these modern facilitators weren’t available when photography first appeared. And there is an art of simplicity in those first pictures that we’ve lost along the way. Read along to find out how to get it back.
One Simple Camera and One Prime Lens
Photo by Rostyslav Savchyn on Unsplash
The easiest way to regain the art of simplicity in your photography is to use a much simpler camera–lens combo. For example, you may want to use a point-and-shoot camera that limits your workflow because it only performs well in a certain environment. If this is too limiting, you can use a high-end camera but only one prime lens. A 50mm lens is all you need for portraiture and street photography. A wide-angle lens works wonders for landscape photography. While a prime macro lens can deal with all macro photography scenarios.
A good example of the art of simplicity is Leica’s M-system. Leica has returned to the original design of its cameras. Even though they are digital full-frame mirrorless cameras, the cameras are stripped of most modern settings and automatic modes. They don’t have autofocus, for example. Leica M cameras have exquisite optical elements and perform extremely well in all lighting conditions. They provide astonishing 60MP resolutions. But they don’t do the job for you. Furthermore, all Leica M lenses are prime lenses.
Minimalist Compositions
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
Another step in the direction of simplicity is going for minimalist compositions. This means that instead of using HDR photography, filters, or other means to create complex compositions, you appreciate the simplicity of what you can achieve by yourself. For example, you can change the camera’s position by adjusting your body position instead of using a fancy tripod. You can give up long exposures and instead frame the only object that is well-lit. You can move closer to a subject to keep unwanted objects out of the frame.
Improvise. Use the space well. Adapt to whatever the scenery has to offer. And don’t be so determined to frame everything exactly as you want. Let go and be present.
Minimum (or Zero) Editing
Photo by Jean-Pierre Brungs on Unsplash
The best photo is the one that needs no touch-ups. Usually, this means it includes some charming imperfections that make it look natural, unforced, and fluid. Yes, you may not have that incredible contrast or those sunset-glowing colors, but you have authenticity and honesty. Your sunrise wasn’t purple. It was soft pink, misty, and full of wonder. Your model has wrinkles; she is alive and has the honor of experiencing old age. The best photo is heartfelt and thoughtful, not technically perfect.
Don’t rely on post-processing when taking a photo. Forget you have an LCD screen that shows how your pictures look like. Invest all you have in every frame, just like you would do if you used an analog camera and had no editor available.
Conclusion
The art of simplicity in photography doesn’t mean boring photographs or technical mistakes. On the contrary. It means creating beautiful photos from a technical, compositional, and storytelling point of view without relying on shortcuts and post-processing tricks. Once you’ve mastered this art, using gear and editors will have a different meaning to you. You will still use them but just to enhance your work not to replace it.