The beauty of minimalist art

“Keep it simple” is a truism that applies to many genres. If we’re speaking about clothing, we think of designs with strong, clean lines—perhaps in one colour or several colours that work well together without creating a too-busy effect. This type of clothing catches our eye and enhances the look of the person wearing it. The same is true with art.

Minimalist images capture the eye because they stand out; they are striking. Their simplicity of subject, colour, geometric lines and overall composition immediately draws us into the image. We know what the artist—whether painter or photographer—wants us to see. And, like all uncluttered things, minimalism brings peace and calmness into our living and working spaces.

I recently entered Fisher 1 into The Motif Collective’s minimalism-themed competition. The image was honoured on the theme shortlist.

Fisher 1

The beauty of life along the Mekong River

Years ago I took a two-day journey down the Mekong River from the Thailand (Chiang Khong)- Laos (Huay-Xai) border to Luang Prabang, Laos. I travelled on slow-moving barges with local people, for whom the Mekong is a major route for moving people and their goods. The Laotians packaged goods covered the floor of the barge and we sat on top of the goods. Some of us climbed through a window to the narrow roof to get a different perspective and hang out with the chickens.

Recently I travelled the Mekong River again, this time under more luxurious conditions, from Cambodia to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Signs of life along the river in Cambodia are limited to a few fishers, a few dwellings and a few Buddhist temples. The level of river activity changes dramatically as you cross the invisible river border from Cambodia into Vietnam.

Cambodians are more likely to live or work along the edges of Mekong tributaries rather than along the wider river. Their homes are built on stilts to protect the homes from flooding. In drier times, the space under the homes is used as living and working space for people and animals, and for protection from the sun and rain.

Colourful vestments

In Vietnam, the Mekong River and Mekong Delta are a hive of activities. You see dredging equipment in the middle of the river, barges moving sand and other goods, fishing, floating fish farms along the edges of the river, people living along the edges of the river, taxi barges moving people from one side of the river to the other and white egrets flitting around water hyacinths. The earth tones of the river and land are offset by brightly coloured boats and the multi-coloured tarpaulins used around homes and commercial activities.

Boat with face

The beauty of selective colour

I have a passion for colour. Strong colours. Colours that make a statement. Red, blue, orange, purple and, yes, black and white.

Some cameras have a feature called “selective colour” or “one-point colour.” This in-camera feature allows you to take photos that are black and white except for the colour “selected.” For example, in a multi-coloured scene, you can tell the camera to show a colour of your choosing (let’s say red) where it occurs naturally in the scene and to show the other colours in the scene in black and white.

There are several reasons why you might want to take this style of photo. The overriding reason, the one that must be present, is that you have a passion for colour. Secondary reasons for wanting to achieve this type of photographic effect may be any of the following: You are an artist and like being creative. You want your photos to “pop.” You want to make a statement about the importance of the highlighted colour. The colour dominates the scene and you want it to stand out.

Experimenting with different camera techniques and features helps you find your creative self and make a statement about you as an artist.

Red bridge

The beauty of reflections on the Douro River

Travelling the length of the Douro River is a unique way to experience Portugal and its people. The pace of cruising is slow and the edges of the river are always in view.

Reflections are everywhere. Beautiful reflections. Reflections as thoughts. Reflections as earth and sky images appearing in the water. Reflections changing with the light and time of day.

Morning reflections

The beauty of hanging photo art

The best way to experience the beauty of photo art is to hang it on a wall. Make it as large as your space can handle.

I get the "wow" effect when I walk into a home, office or public space that has large, bold art with simple, well-defined lines. Art that grabs my attention. Art that speaks to me. Art that tells a story. Art that makes optimal use of colour, including black and white. Art that lifts my spirits and puts a smile on my face.