Minimalist Photography
Presenter: Judy Hancock Holland
Minimalist photography is a powerful medium that aims to convey the “soul” or essence of a subject, whether the subject is a person, an object, a place, or even a feeling. It involves stripping away everything in the image that doesn’t contribute to the essential vision of the photographer. Today’s world is often an overstimulating place, and this kind of photography provides a respite from everyday overwhelm. Any camera, even a phone, can be used to create minimalist photographs. The more important part of the equation is seeing deeply into the subject. This is something that can be practised even without a camera; it’s a matter of tuning in to a scene or subject in a very focused way. We must slow down and notice shapes, lines, light, form, and especially our own feelings in the moment, and then distil the composition down. The result is often emotionally evocative. The process of creating minimalist photographs is meditative, even spiritual for some, as the world falls away and the artist “falls in love” with the subject, seeking to know and reveal it in an intimate way. The resulting image can be restful or dramatic, but it focuses the attention of the viewer and invites them to become centred and grounded. Having this kind of art in a home or other setting provides a haven where the eye and spirit can rest.
About Judy
Judy Hancock Holland is a photographic artist whose work focuses on themes such as ageing, healing, femininity, death and dying, peace and passion, and spirituality and sensuality. Her experience of ageing and widowhood and her sense of the sacredness of Creation informs how she sees and portrays her simple subjects. A lifelong learner and educator, Hancock Holland has won a number of medals from the Canadian Association for Photographic Arts, been published in PhotoNews Canada, and was awarded honourable mentions in the 15th and 16th Julia Margaret Cameron international photography competitions. She makes her home on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
Connect with Judy Hancock Holland
Webinar Sponsor: Olympus
This SheClicks webinar was sponsored by Olympus, empowering consumers and professionals alike with innovative digital cameras, lenses, audio recorders, and binoculars. Olympus' precision optics and groundbreaking technology open up new possibilities for capturing life's most precious moments.
