danwilly
Established
For me it is a minimal amount of equipment. My come to Jesus moment came when I was going through my large bag and found a neutral density filter and trying to think if I ever used it. I then evaluated everything and stripped my kit down to my two Bessa R's and two lenses, 35 and 50. About 90% of my shots are done with the 50. I don't feel I am lacking anything.
Huss
Veteran
Here's an example from nature and some from the built environment. This is how I see minimalism in nature and everyday life. Hope this helps - the third pic of the reeds at night is probably more abstract than minimalist
last light #7071 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
intersecting planes #0374 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
blur abstract #0113 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
Excellent shots Lynn.
Pioneer
Veteran
What is this ascetic mindset that assails us from time to time? As if we must be penniless to be truly happy.
I personally think it is hogwash. Our happiness depends on a lot of things but living in sackcloth and ashes isn't one that triggers my happy button.
Living and striving to learn every day. You don't need to go whole hog all at once. Just try to learn and improve a little each day. Love someone else besides yourself.
Face it, the Gods (or God) have everything they could ever want or need. If they ain't happy we all have a problem.
But I doubt that the number of cameras I own doesn't have any impact on my happiness. If you are the type who gets antsy if something lies around the house to long without being used, give it to someone who would put it to use. That way you will both be happy.
Win, Win!!
I personally think it is hogwash. Our happiness depends on a lot of things but living in sackcloth and ashes isn't one that triggers my happy button.
Living and striving to learn every day. You don't need to go whole hog all at once. Just try to learn and improve a little each day. Love someone else besides yourself.
Face it, the Gods (or God) have everything they could ever want or need. If they ain't happy we all have a problem.
But I doubt that the number of cameras I own doesn't have any impact on my happiness. If you are the type who gets antsy if something lies around the house to long without being used, give it to someone who would put it to use. That way you will both be happy.
Win, Win!!
Huss
Veteran
Face it, the Gods (or God) have everything they could ever want or need. If they ain't happy we all have a problem.
You crack me up. Love it.
dshfoto
Well-known
Advice -- Good
Advice -- Good
Advice -- Good
That's probably good advice. I guess you are right, I don't need to worry about having all of these cameras. They take up a little space, but the last time I sold a bunch of cameras (when I moved from California) As soon as I got settled in New York, I went out and bought the same ones plus a bunch of others.What is this ascetic mindset that assails us from time to time? As if we must be penniless to be truly happy.
I personally think it is hogwash. Our happiness depends on a lot of things but living in sackcloth and ashes isn't one that triggers my happy button.
Living and striving to learn every day. You don't need to go whole hog all at once. Just try to learn and improve a little each day. Love someone else besides yourself.
Face it, the Gods (or God) have everything they could ever want or need. If they ain't happy we all have a problem.
But I doubt that the number of cameras I own doesn't have any impact on my happiness. If you are the type who gets antsy if something lies around the house to long without being used, give it to someone who would put it to use. That way you will both be happy.
Win, Win!!
dshfoto
Well-known
Cal,
You wrote, "I'm in a similar space. I have more cameras and gear than is practical. Some unfortunately goes unused or does not see frequent use, but since it took a long time to accumulate my "treasures" it is hard to cull down."
Maybe what we need to do is start a camera repository, where members can deposit or donate idle equipment, and check out cameras / lens / gear they would like to try. We could get some one to act as curator and then we would have a place to deposit our somewhat idle gear. NYC would seem to be a good place to start something like this. How about that a "Camera Library".
You wrote, "I'm in a similar space. I have more cameras and gear than is practical. Some unfortunately goes unused or does not see frequent use, but since it took a long time to accumulate my "treasures" it is hard to cull down."
Maybe what we need to do is start a camera repository, where members can deposit or donate idle equipment, and check out cameras / lens / gear they would like to try. We could get some one to act as curator and then we would have a place to deposit our somewhat idle gear. NYC would seem to be a good place to start something like this. How about that a "Camera Library".
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aizan
Veteran
is it worth trying to be ascetic even when actually being ascetic is not a practical option?
for me, not having too much stuff is a matter of avoiding the annoyance of not being able to find things quickly. there's nothing very high minded or morally gratifying about it. i just get annoyed easily!
edit:
i just googled "ascetic," and it doesn't seem to be as related to minimalism as i thought. minimalism has always implied asceticism in my experience, but apparently the main characteristic of asceticism is "abstinence from worldly pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals." that doesn't figure into my thinking very often.
for me, not having too much stuff is a matter of avoiding the annoyance of not being able to find things quickly. there's nothing very high minded or morally gratifying about it. i just get annoyed easily!
edit:
i just googled "ascetic," and it doesn't seem to be as related to minimalism as i thought. minimalism has always implied asceticism in my experience, but apparently the main characteristic of asceticism is "abstinence from worldly pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals." that doesn't figure into my thinking very often.
Pioneer
Veteran
That sounds like Google. A few soundbites; just enough to leave you feeling that you know about something but not enough to really allow you to understand it.
I am not so sure the internet is really a good thing. We now live in a modern world where all the learning of the ages is almost literally at our fingertips but we don't have the time to truly immerse ourselves in it enough to really learn.
Google is the ultimate Cliff Note.
I am not so sure the internet is really a good thing. We now live in a modern world where all the learning of the ages is almost literally at our fingertips but we don't have the time to truly immerse ourselves in it enough to really learn.
Google is the ultimate Cliff Note.
lynnb
Veteran
I think minimalism is forced on us by old age. Suddenly we realise we only want to travel light, to match our physical capabilities, and keep gear simple, to match our short term memory . So the answer is simple, to be minimal, just grow old.
Now, where did I put those car keys?
. So the answer is simple, to be minimal, just grow old.Now, where did I put those car keys?
aizan
Veteran
We now live in a modern world where all the learning of the ages is almost literally at our fingertips but we don't have the time to truly immerse ourselves in it enough to really learn.
Google is the ultimate Cliff Note.
"almost literally at your fingertips"? not even close in reality! the myth of information abundance is good for lobbying by silicon valley technocrats and making inspiring TED talks, and in some ways quite bad for democracy.
CMur12
Veteran
I agree with Huss. Lynn, these are amazing photos!
- Murray
- Murray
Here's an example from nature and some from the built environment. This is how I see minimalism in nature and everyday life. Hope this helps - the third pic of the reeds at night is probably more abstract than minimalist
last light #7071 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
intersecting planes #0374 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
blur abstract #0113 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
Axel
singleshooter
In my opinion a "minimalist photographer" tries to keep his photography simple.
When it comes to gear I am with lynnb - grow old and you´ll get it
And minimalism can also be a simple message or impress in photos.
When it comes to gear I am with lynnb - grow old and you´ll get it
And minimalism can also be a simple message or impress in photos.
savoche
Newbie
Interesting discussion. I may not be a minimalist when it comes the gear I own, but I quite often go out with a minimum of gear - camera and one lens, or just the GR. I do find it liberating most of the time, limiting some of the time.
Few of my images would qualify for the minimalism tag. I always aim for simplicity, but that's more to do with avoiding distracting elements than with philosophy.
Few of my images would qualify for the minimalism tag. I always aim for simplicity, but that's more to do with avoiding distracting elements than with philosophy.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Less is more.
Leica IIIc, Summaron 35mm f/3.5, Tmax400.
Erik.
Leica IIIc, Summaron 35mm f/3.5, Tmax400.
Erik.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
In art, minimalism can refer to the kind of pictures you take, in which case, either you do it or you don't. Either way, how much do you care about the label? Also, some of your pictures may be "minimalist", while others are far more crowded. Again, what difference does the label make, unless a gallery is trying to sell the work or a critic is trying to describe it?
Letting everyone know, in no uncertain terms, that you consider yourself a minimalist is a bit like telling everyone loudly that you are an Artist-with-a-capital-A, viz., pretentious. In one sense, everyone is an artist because they want to be or because say they are or even simply because of the art they produce; in another sense, the labels have considerably more meaning and weight if they are attached to you by other people.
When it comes to equipment, minimalism is likely to be an inability to afford much; or a VERY clear idea of the kind if kit you need to take a (usually rather limited) range of pictures; or, distressingly often, a completely pointless bit of virtue-signalling self indulgence by those who like to pretend that they are in some way superior to those who have lots of cameras. The last seems to be especially attractive to the financially overprivileged. There's nothing wrong with having a minimum of kit, if that suits you, but equally, to preen yourself for your "minimalism" is ridiculous.
I've known great photographers who own lots of cameras, and other great photographers who own just a couple of bodies (one in case the other breaks down) and two or three lenses.
Cheers,
R.
Letting everyone know, in no uncertain terms, that you consider yourself a minimalist is a bit like telling everyone loudly that you are an Artist-with-a-capital-A, viz., pretentious. In one sense, everyone is an artist because they want to be or because say they are or even simply because of the art they produce; in another sense, the labels have considerably more meaning and weight if they are attached to you by other people.
When it comes to equipment, minimalism is likely to be an inability to afford much; or a VERY clear idea of the kind if kit you need to take a (usually rather limited) range of pictures; or, distressingly often, a completely pointless bit of virtue-signalling self indulgence by those who like to pretend that they are in some way superior to those who have lots of cameras. The last seems to be especially attractive to the financially overprivileged. There's nothing wrong with having a minimum of kit, if that suits you, but equally, to preen yourself for your "minimalism" is ridiculous.
I've known great photographers who own lots of cameras, and other great photographers who own just a couple of bodies (one in case the other breaks down) and two or three lenses.
Cheers,
R.
mich rassena
Well-known
The first photographer that comes to mind (after Googling for his name) is Hiroshi Sugimoto. Here's a link to some of his images of the sea, along photos of the works hanging in a gallery.
https://www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/november-06-2008--hiroshi-sugimoto/exhibition-images
It's probably a stretch to call the images themselves purely minimalist rather than abstract, but when hung in a row, to me they come across as minimalist.
https://www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/november-06-2008--hiroshi-sugimoto/exhibition-images
It's probably a stretch to call the images themselves purely minimalist rather than abstract, but when hung in a row, to me they come across as minimalist.
airfrogusmc
Veteran
I agree with Huss also. Good stuff Lynn.
I don't consider myself an minimalist though I have done some work that might fall into that.
I don't consider myself an minimalist though I have done some work that might fall into that.
Talus
pan sin sal
Same thing I've been working with. I'm up at 5:45 and work in a dirty ild wood shop. I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to shoot so Ive been strolling around on my lunch breaks. It's becoming more enjoyable to do at least one creative thing a day.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
This is one of my notions of a "minimalist" aesthetic:
Leica M-D + Summilux 35mm f/1.4 v2
ISO 400 @ f/4 @ 1/15
I'll be interested to read your comments.
enjoy, G
Leica M-D + Summilux 35mm f/1.4 v2
ISO 400 @ f/4 @ 1/15
I'll be interested to read your comments.
enjoy, G
VF101
Established
While I love minimalist photos, I don't think it has anything to do with the gear that is used. Andreas Gursky's Rhine II is a really minimalist image aesthetically, but as far as I understand the process, there was a lot of gear involved.