Week 44 - B&W Minimalism

Beacon

Minimalism is a compositional technique or style that is sparse in subject matter, often containing a significant amount of negative (empty) space. Black and white photography especially lends itself to this approach as eliminating color further simplifies the scene, leaving just what is essential.

The irony is that less content allows broader interpretation. Our minds quickly resolve the subject and then build a context around it. And often, that perception is open to interpretation. As referenced in a previous image, the renowned photographer, Minor White, has been quoted as saying - "don't only photograph things for what they are but for what else they are."

As often happens - "what else it is" may not be evident when we take the photo. However, as a viewer, we bring our many influences and impressions to the experience. For example, while this image is a lit turret on a hillside against the darkening sky, it later struck me as a lighthouse in a heaving sea under a threatening sky.

A stretch perhaps, but both the literal and perceived suggest a common theme - confront danger. In color, such an abstraction would not translate as well. It would be too literal.

From an aesthetic perspective, this image contains an example of one of the most appreciated features of black-and-white photography. That is the subtle gradient - the transition from near white to near black as the sky slides into night.

Lastly, likely due to lens optics, the curve of darkness in the sky appears to mimic the arc of land underneath it, providing a sense of order and balance.

f4 1/30 sec ISO 500 November 5, 2022