Welcome to episode 30 of the Tuesday Photo Challenge! The entries from this past week are still buzzing in my mind with so much great photography and creativity. After focusing on Color Contrast, I thought it might be interesting to go in a radically different direction for this week with the theme of Simplify.
In a lot of our photography, we try to capture something that we find interesting, which often has complexity, as we try to tell a story. This week, I’d like for you to go in the opposite direction by photographing something uncomplicated and simple. Look around in your daily travels and keep an eye open for a straightforward subject that you will make interesting through your vision; capture it with composition in mind and the story that you are telling with minimal subject(s).
As an example, here is a leaf that caught my attention this past Sunday, so I spent a little time protecting it from the wind, so that I could catch it with a little less breeze. What stood out for me were the way the light fell on this leaf and painted a picture with shadows.
Fallen Leaf
Sometimes, simplicity works rather well, as even this basic leaf has lots of little details; also, the leaves of grass play along too…
For those who’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, the rules are the following:
Create a pingback link to this post, so that I can create a post showing all of the submissions over the week (note: pingbacks may not appear immediately, as my site is set up to require approval for linking to it; helps against previous bad experiences with spamming)
Have fun creating something new (or sharing something old)!!
I’m sure that all of your creative minds will wrap themselves around this week’s challenge and produce some cool images! Have fun and start sharing!
Technical Details
This image was captured with my Fujifilm X-T1 using a Fujifilm XF18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 LM OIS WR lens. Exposure settings were at 1/150 second, f/8 at 400 ISO.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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34 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Simplify”
I love this Frank. ❤ I'm in the process of moving, so simplicity is right up my alley. Missing my participation in the photo challenge! Have a great week.
Dutch goes the Photo! 
Quick and beautiful!!
Thanks, I’ve edited it to say Simplicity. No sleep last night.
I can relate, as I’ve been blessed with flu and migraine at the same time 🙂
here are some of my simple stuff, thanks 🙂
https://ladyleemanila.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/tuesday-photo-challenge-simplify/
Thank you! You’re always so quick!
I love leaves. The vein systems in each one are so intricate.
They are magnificent structures
Keeping it simple!
https://georgiemoon2016.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/several-boats-a-tree-and-a-beach-keeping-things-simple/
Here is my link about the simple pleasures in life: https://whippetwisdom.com/2016/11/08/quadrille-cue-the-ball/
I love this Frank. ❤ I'm in the process of moving, so simplicity is right up my alley. Missing my participation in the photo challenge! Have a great week.
Thank you, Debbie!
The leave is fallen, but still has the fresh look. Years ago I used to collect autumn leaves for my students to do rub-painting.
I remember doing that as a kid. It’s such fun to see the structure of the leaf that way.
Yes, I remember we called it leave rubbing.
Hi Frank, this is my this week’s entry:
https://theshowersofblessing.wordpress.com/2016/11/09/tuesday-photo-challenge-crocodiles/
simplicity is beautiful! Nice click!!
Thank you!
Hi Frank, this is my second entry. I like this one as well!
https://theshowersofblessing.wordpress.com/2016/11/09/tuesday-photo-challenge-beach-wedding/
It’s another lovely one! Thank you!
Thank you, Frank!
Lovely photo Frank. Love the shadow on the leaf. Another interesting challenge!
Thank you very much, Miriam!