Mindmap

Simple

“Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty, plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation.“

The concept of something simple can be seen throughout art and photography in different ways. For example, lighting, using a simple single source, or with context or intent of an image, for example taking photographs of traditionally simple or uninteresting things in a conventional way. The concept of simplicity can also be seen in arrangments of images, for example using a simple composition, simple colours, for example, black and white or only a selection of a few colours in an image. For example, posed, simply lit portraits can be seen as simple as only documenting the surface-level subject. If no context is given or hinted at in an image, it can be seen as simple at a first glance. Simple photography can be linked to minimalism, with minimalist photographs “stripping a subject down to its essence.” For example, classic photographs such as those of Ansel Adams are classic, well composed images of natural beauty, which have a traditionally simple concept and composition. Furthermore, images such as Alex Soth’s portraits in his project “Sleeping by the Mississipi” present as visually simple, with a clear use of the rule of thirds and with the subject often in the middle of the image. However, the context of his images and narrative behind them is often more complex. The two concepts of simple and complex are often intertwined in photography, and it is often difficult to call an image purely ‘simple’ or ‘complex’.

Complex

“Consisting of many different and connected parts; a group or system of different things that are linked in a close or complicated way; a network.”

Complexity in photography and art can be seen in many different contexts. It relates to its’ binary opposite of simplicity, as seemingly simple images can have complex ideas attached to them, such as contextual ideas, links to photographic movements, or complex processes and materials used to photograph. Complexity in photography can also relate to the presentation of images: for example using sculpture or manipulating images to create intricate presentations and different angles. For example, Cindy Sherman and Jim Goldberg’s work can be seen as complex due to the issues their photographs address – mysoginy, feminism, wealth and poverty. These photographs also present as visually complex, but this is not always true for complex photography. As seen in my moodboard of ‘simple’ images above, some images can be seen as visually simple but often have great ocntext linked to personal experiences, or social context. Therefore, the notion of a simple or compex photograph is mostly subjective, and the definition would be different for every viewer of an image.