An exercise in minimalism
One of the things that we spent a lot of time covering on the Harris workshop was to try to keep the compositions simple.
Beaches are perfect places for studying minimalism. Expansive places with smooth tonality, beaches are often places where it’s easy to observe light at its simplest level.
I remember being blown away (literally) by the smooth textures combined with the speed of the clouds as they raced across the beaches on Harris.
Now, after a few days of being home, Harris has taken on a dreamlike visual memory for me. I can remember the wind on my face, the sound of the sea, and the great wide open spaces. But most of all, I remember the light in the early mornings, which was very special.
I know the group and myself felt that we got a lot of really dramatic light. But I also feel I got a chance to make much more simplistic compositions too.
The four images that you have included here are great examples of minimalism in action. Funnily enough, it is the last that really appeals to me. I think that the reason that it appeals is that it is more realistic. There are things that I could see such as the clouds that give some texture. I also find the light more appealing, particularly the subtle tones on the horizon. These elements give me something to ponder over while the other images have more of a wash effect which, while initially appealing, don’t hold my attention.
Thanks Bruce. I learnt a lot from this.
Comment by jeffg53 — 30 November, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
Each to their own Jeff.
I personally find the last image a bit too ‘verbatim’ and pedestrian, but it has a special meaning to me – the experience of shooting this is still very close.
Comment by Bruce Percy — 30 November, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
That’s what I found fascinating about the four images. I preferred the one that I would least have expected to. My images are often very minimal, particularly the sescapes but there is just something about this one that strikes a chord.
I only wish that I had seen some light like this when I was on Skye in September.
Comment by jeffg53 — 30 November, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
Interesting compositions giving the sky a lot of space and doing without foreground interest, definitely a different way of seeing compared to your other work. I prefer when there is something that grabs my eye leading me into the shot, but anyway, these images convey the atmosphere of Harris at that time pretty well.
Comment by pboehi — 1 December, 2009 @ 6:27 pm