Finding Beauty in Simplicity: A Minimalist's Guide to Photography

In March, I was lucky enough to tick off one of my bucket list photography locations: The Lofoten Islands in northern Norway (see my YouTube vlog of my trip below). In preparation for my visit I scrolled through umpteen spectacular photographs, tempting me into considering what is possible in such a spectacular location. This could have led me to panic. Thinking, 'am I doing this place justice? Should I photograph this scene this way, or would that rock over there provide a better vantage point?' I could have tied myself in knots over something that means so much. After all, it would be a while before I could even contemplate returning. I had to get it right first time! Photography can often feel like a race. Scroll through social media and you’ll see endless polished shots, fancy gear setups, and people chasing the next viral trend. It’s easy to feel like you’re supposed to be doing more, doing it faster, and making it all look perfect. But the truth is: some of the best photography happens when you slow down. When I was in Lofoten, I gave myself permission to relax into my work. I let go of the pressure to make something amazing every time I pressed the shutter and I immersed myself into the experience. My camera was just acting as a tool to record what I saw and what I felt, rather than a barrier between me and my surroundings. When you take some time to breathe, it gives you the opportunity to realise what makes you tick as a photographer. You find your interests, notice more things and yes, this can lead to better, more interesting photographs. At the end of the day, it's all about photographing things that speak to you, not the algorithm. Putting some time aside to go on a purposeful but relaxed photography trip has definitely made me a better photographer. Immersion into a location, technique or subject, just you and your camera, could be the best move you ever make. Most importantly, stop worrying about what you think people want from you. This isn’t about pleasing an invisible audience. Your photography is yours. So be weird. Be subtle. Be loud. Be poetic. Be you. Take your time. Let your work breathe. Let you breathe. And enjoy the process. That’s where the real magic happens. 

So, you’ve just been out with your camera, and now you’re scrolling through your shots. Chances are, you are thinking, 'I could have done better.' The key to improving your photography isn’t just taking more photos—it’s learning how to analyse them constructively. We can often be our own worst critiques, but below, I have listed a few pointers to help you to critique your own photos, without being too hard on yourself. 1. Step Away Before You Judge It’s tempting to review your photos immediately, but your brain is still in ‘shooting mode.’ Give it some time. A few hours, a day, whatever it takes for you to come back with fresh eyes. You’ll be able to spot strengths and weaknesses much more clearly when you’re not emotionally attached. 2. Identify What Works First Before diving into everything you don’t like, pick out what you do like. Are there aspects to the composition that work? Is the lighting good? Even if the photo isn’t perfect, there’s probably something worth celebrating. This helps you understand your strengths so you can lean into them. 3. Analyse What’s Off (Without Self-Sabotage) Now, let’s get critical—but constructively. Ask yourself: Is the composition cluttered? Does the lighting help or hurt the picture? Is the focus where it should be? Does my photograph communicate my intent? Instead of thinking, “Oh dear, this is bad,” reframe it: “This would be stronger if I adjusted X, Y, or Z.” That way, you’re learning, not just self-critiquing. 4. Compare, But Don’t Despair Looking at work from photographers you admire is great for inspiration, but don’t let it discourage you. Everyone starts somewhere. Instead of feeling bad, analyse why you like their work. Is it their use of colour? Composition? Lighting? Figure it out and apply those lessons to your own photography. 5. Edit With Intention Sometimes, what seems like a ‘bad’ photo can be brought back to life in the editing process. Play with cropping, or colour grading to bring out the best in your shot. Editing is part of the creative process—don’t avoid it! At the same time, don't simply use editing to mask mistakes you make in camera. A good photo will always start when your camera's sensor's pixels are sensitised. Getting the basics right from the start will allow your edits to be enhancements, not just corrections. 6. Get a Second Opinion It’s easy to be overly critical of your own work. Show your photos to someone you trust—preferably someone who knows a bit about photography. They might point out things you didn’t even notice (good or bad) and offer useful insight. 7. Keep Shooting, Keep Learning The best way to improve is to keep taking photos and, dare I say it, keep making mistakes! Every shot you take, every mistake you notice, and every improvement you make, helps you grow. So, be kind to yourself, take those lessons onboard, and apply them next time. Remember: No one’s perfect, even the best photographers have shots they’d rather forget. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Keep shooting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process!

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Improve your photography in 2025 today!

I don't know why, but at this time of year I always get a little bit nostalgic. I suppose, as another year draws to a close, I like to look back on my experiences and photographs from the last twelve months, taking stock and planning how I can explore the wonderful world of photography further. At the hight of the fast paced year, it is easy to loose track. Resolutions and aspirations we set ourselves during this nostalgic period, become obscured by the pressures of everyday life. One of my jobs in November is to make a calendar of my photos from the previous year, which I gift as Christmas presents to family friends. I often find, when I search for suitable photos to fill each month, many of my folders are still full of RAW files; unprocessed since the day they were etched onto my memory card. At the time, this was probably due to me not allowing myself time to work through them, however, as I look back; I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. Whether it is down to the instant gratification syndrome of sharing our lives on social media or the fact that one photo outing is over, let's move onto the next one; we can become a little overzealous when it comes to rushing through our photo edits. Although it extends the preparation time of my calendar, going through some of my un-edited photos months after they were taken, allows me to see them with fresh eyes. I realise that some of the pictures I thought might be bangers at the time of taking, are overtaken by the subtle impact of others, on reflection. Whether life simply gets in the way of our editing and sharing process or we purposefully put the breaks on, giving yourself and your photos time settle before picking out the prime of the crop can be a really useful exercise. Just like we give fruit time to ripen in order to make the most of it's delicious sweetness, giving our photographs time to grow on us can completely change our perspectives, and make more considered decisions on which to keep, share or delete. It won't be long until we are reliving this moment in 2025, uttering those immortal words, we all say. Where has the year gone?! However, as we nostalgically look back and try to piece together our busy lives, don't worry if you still have some editing to do. There's no need to rush.