MINIMALISM OF WILDLIFE
Malini Chandrasekar
As an aspiring wildlife photographer with a background in Graphic Design, it is only natural that I lean towards the disciplines I've been practising for over 20 years, such as minimalism. While I'm a big believer of showcasing wildlife in its natural habitat, I am also drawn to capturing minimalistic portraits. For me, it captures the beauty within and the beauty of individuality. Since snow isn't always available, a high-key or low-key approach is a great way to declutter to let your subject shine. Having creative approaches in otherwise poor light conditions lets you experiment, enabling you to utilise the light better creating something more unique, and who doesn't love the 'different'?
For me, minimalism in wildlife photography promotes conscious decision-making about that moment in time, the energy, and the symbiotic relationship between myself and the subject. I find it to be authentic, simple and clear, helping me with my aim to highlight the beauty, essence, and true purpose of their lives. It's also so much about 'right place, right time' – the background, the light, the subject, and yourself! The Atlantic Puffin finally landed in the cleanest snowy bit after a long two days of waiting for it in -20ºC on Hornøya. Whilst bobbing up and down in a zodiac in Svalbard, a walrus momentarily lifted his head… with a little smudge of snow. Everything unique to that moment in time. Think the beauty of photography is it is an expression of yourself, letting you show the world what you see. “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams
This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 19.