Minimalism in Landscape Photography: The Power of Isolation
I love minimalism in landscape photography, and one of the most important skills is learning to isolate your subject. In a busy scene, it’s easy to get lost in clutter and distraction. Finding the one or two elements that truly stand out is what turns a chaotic view into a clear, impactful photograph.
When I look at the work of some of my heroes, what inspires me most is WHY they chose to point the camera in a certain direction, what feeling guided that choice, and how they ultimately strip an image down to its essence.
Today, I’d like to give you a quick behind-the-scenes look at how I framed this shot, a perfect example of minimalism photography in practice, transforming a busy, unappealing scene into a serene and impactful image.
1. Behind the Shot
A local worker collects a pot of Cozido, ready to be delivered to local restaurants.
I was in a special place called Furnas in the Azores.
This place is quite popular because of its geothermal springs. People go there to see how the locals cook a stew called "Cozido das Furnas" right in the hot ground.
It's an incredible place filled with steam vents, bubbling mud pots, and a lot of activity.
On this particular day, it was raining, and the scene was, to put it mildly, a bit of a mess. My iPhone snapshot shows the full picture: a crowded foreground with fences, signs, and a variety of elements that would have made for a very cluttered photograph.
iPhone snapshot
With scene like this, the challenge is to find a way to distill that chaos into something more photogenic and meaningful. The key is to look for those one or two elements that truly speak to you and then work to isolate them.
Amidst all that visual noise, my eye was drawn to these two solitary trees, their vibrant yellow-green leaves standing out against the ghostly white steam. I knew they were the story I wanted to tell.
One of the many (not-good) frames SOOC taken while working the scene
2. Simplify Your Composition: Working the Scene
So, I began my process. Instead of shooting the entire scene, I narrowed my attention entirely on those two trees. I spent some time moving around, trying different angles and positions, looking for the best way to isolate them from their surroundings. Of course, I used the telephoto lens, which is an invaluable tool for this type of scenarios.
A few of the many frames I captured before landing on the final shot.
My Lightroom screenshot shows this process in action. You can see a series of shots taken as I worked the scene. I tried different perspectives, moving left and right, higher and lower, looking for that perfect vantage point.
I needed an angle where the background of dense foliage would be simplified by the rising steam, effectively blurring out the details and creating a clean, ethereal backdrop.
I also needed to find a spot where the clutter in the foreground was hidden, allowing the heather in the lower part of the frame to serve as a simple, colourful base for the trees.
The final shot here below is the result of this patient process. By finding the right vantage point and zooming super tight, I was able to use the dense steam as a natural canvas, allowing the trees to stand out as the sole point of interest. The result is a photograph that feels calm and minimalist, a stark contrast to the busy reality of the location.
Final edited shot // Fujifilm X-T30 - ISO640 - 1/100sec - f/8 - 153mm
3. My Approach to Keep Things Simple
Stop and Observe: Before you even raise your camera, take a moment to look at the scene in front of you. What is the one thing that captures your attention the most? Is it a single rock, a unique tree, or a specific part of a larger scene?
Move Around: Don't just stand in one spot. Move your feet! Change your angle, get lower, get higher. Look for a perspective that allows you to simplify the background and eliminate distractions. Remember, a slight shift in position can make all the difference. Be patient while you experiment—it often takes a few tries to find the framing that works best.
Use Natural Elements to Your Advantage: Look for elements like fog, steam, or even shadows that can help you simplify the background. These can create a natural, soft canvas that allows your subject to stand out.
Embrace Telephoto Lenses: A telephoto lens is an incredible tool for isolation. It compresses the scene and helps you to focus on a small, distant subject, effectively cropping out the surrounding clutter.
Critique Your Own Work: Take a look at the photos on your camera's screen. Is there anything in the frame that isn't adding to the story? If you see a distracting element, take a step back and try to find a way to exclude it from your next shot.
What about you?
When you’re out shooting, what’s the biggest challenge you face in simplifying a cluttered scene? Let me know in the comments section. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for reading!
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