A lot of my recent client work has involved really simple photos. Single subjects like a handful dried fruit or a scattering of whole spices with instruction for very minimal propping.
Despite their simplicity, creating appealing photos like that can be some of the most challenging assignments. Especially for someone like me who LOVES adding things to photos - an edge of a bowl here, a pile of crumbs there.
When I struggle with a photo, whether it’s that the subject is less than beautiful or I can’t nail the composition, my solution is to add stuff to it.
So when I’m technically not allowed to add stuff due to it being a commissioned image for a paying client, it presents me with a big challenge.
And over time I’ve realized something. When I’m trying to figure out how to keep things simple, I start to pull into practice the core skills that I’ve learned over the past 11 years of doing this work.
The truth is:
Simplicity builds skill.
How? Here are 4 ways.
When you only have one subject or even a small handful, it’s easier to find your hero spot and fine-tune your focus, something that is super important regardless of how much stuff you have in the shot. You then start to bring this back to your more elaborately styled photos.
When you have one subject you can move it anywhere within the frame. You’ll start to trust your eye and see what looks most interesting or appealing. Once you have this foundation you can build more complex images with a true sense of appealing composition without the confinement of following a predetermined swirl, x, or zigzag.
For most of us, initially, space in a photo makes us uncomfortable. We feel the need to fill it. Shooting simply allows you to sit with space for a bit and gradually the anxiety of it being there fades. You will start to see how you can use it to your creative advantage.
With one subject and a prop or linen, the only way to get creative is to start exploring light. Right, left, back, harsh shadows, soft rays…In the process, you learn exactly how to naturally light your subject, putting focus and shadows where you want them.