{"id":4429,"date":"2019-06-04T14:11:29","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T14:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.jpegmini.com\/?p=4429"},"modified":"2020-11-03T17:17:35","modified_gmt":"2020-11-03T17:17:35","slug":"the-keys-to-visual-simplicity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.jpegmini.com\/es\/the-keys-to-visual-simplicity\/","title":{"rendered":"The Keys to Visual Simplicity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s the thing, I\u2019m not a fan of writing. My mom disagrees: \u201cTom you\u2019re a great writer if you put your mind to it\u201d she would say\u2026 I\u2019m all about visual learning, I\u2019m sure most photographers can agree with that. I\u2019d much rather show you what I\u2019m trying to get across than attempt to write in-depth and sound like a moron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PART ONE \u2013 SHOOTING FOR AESTHETIC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re all trying to create our best version of an image that we see in our minds before we click the shutter. We\u2019re trying not to just capture moments, but to capture them as aesthetically pleasing as possible. A general well-balanced aesthetic with good composition is at the top of my list when creating my best version of an image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love straight lines, clean edges, and minimal distractions. I always keep that in mind when I\u2019m shooting. I\u2019m constantly thinking about how can I minimize any distractions and how to use my surroundings to create interesting compositions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My goal is usually to do a minimal amount of unnecessary editing by being attentive while shooting; but sometimes to achieve visual simplicity, you do need to put in a bit of extra work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be Aware of Your Surroundings<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I am always aware of my surroundings, looking for simple backgrounds to use in a portrait or the best angle to capture a moment while hiding any clutter. Examples of things I look out for are: trees\/branches sticking out awkwardly behind people, light switches\/outlets, bold obvious colors or objects like fire hydrants\/signs, and people\/things at the edge of the frame (I\u2019m always cropping images in tighter to hide these lurkers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think about how to use the surroundings to my advantage and hide any clutter; while trying to keep any lines straight and anything unnecessary at a minimum. I play with different angles and points of view to tell a story by choosing what is included in the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having all of this in mind while shooting helps but things aren\u2019t always perfect, are they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PART TWO \u2013 EDITING FOR AESTHETIC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Removing Distractions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

My favourite thing ever! Removing distractions is time-consuming but it\u2019s worth it. Most people tend to despise editing, but I say, grab it by the modules and make it your\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really, it\u2019s just another part of the process in creating the best version of an image. I spend most of my editing time cloning little things out of the background. For example, you\u2019re in the heat of the moment, you hear someone laugh, you have to get the shot because of #candid. You twirl around and take the photo, but there was a persons face half in the shot and an outlet on the wall behind them. Is it super important to hide those things, maybe not, that\u2019s your discretion, but damn right I\u2019m cropping in tighter and cloning out that outlet. Clutter will not defeat me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or how about portrait sessions, this is where I find it to be more pertinent. These are the hero shots. You spend all of your creative energy capturing these images, but why stop there? What if I told you that YOU CAN MAKE THEM EVEN BETTER. Now to stop sounding like an infomercial, I\u2019ll show you some examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Look at these, mmhmm. This portrait is now much cleaner and really puts focus on the couple. Our brain doesn\u2019t need to read the extra shizz, it\u2019s scientifically proven, believe me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For this photo, I used the brush tool to underexpose distracting elements along the edges and draw focus on to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Straighten Up<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As I mentioned earlier, I love me some straight lines. Angled edges mess with my brain unless they\u2019re done purposely (well) and lead your eye into the main focus. I do my best while shooting to frame clean compositions, but fixing it is typically simple \u2014 The transform tool in Lightroom is my best friend. One click on auto and the job can usually be fixed. Rarely do I need to play with the vertical\/horizontal sliders unless it\u2019s some serious distortion. I see a lot of door & window frames or edges slightly off axis and I cringe because I know how easy it can be to fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be Selective<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Think about what you want to show in your images, draw viewers into a specific point by darkening or lightening specific areas or even experiment with the tools to enhance it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tools of the trade<\/p>\n\n\n\n