Urban photography by Stuart Allen
January 27th, 2020

Urban photography is often about capturing the moment. I came across this scene in early afternoon where workers had obviously vacated their chairs and returned to their offices after enjoying their lunchtime in the warm sunshine. This left this irregular arrangement which is not normally part of minimalist photography. I am not sure that if the chairs were arranged in a orderly fashion the image would have been quite as strong.
January 25th, 2020
This image was taken at the end of a 5 day visit to Joao Pessoa in Brazil. Although it is a working visit, I was able to find some time to get out and about with my camera. During my stay, my inspiration for photography came from the long stretches of golden sandy beaches, and true to my minimalist self, I found just the shot I was looking for!
January 22nd, 2020
It is amazing just how much there is around us that provides a suitable photographic subject that most people seem oblivious to. As an urban photographer I spend quite a lot of time scanning my environment for abstract subjects, even when I don't have my camera with me! This photograph is of a building reflected in the Leeds and Liverpool canal in the centre of Leeds, UK. Had I not been observant and looking down at the time I too might have missed it.
January 20th, 2020
By the very nature of photography, highlights and shadows are an integral feature in most genres of the art. In minimal photography, shadows can be used to very good effect as the subject of the image. In the above example, detail can still be quite clearly seen in the sunlit areas, while the shadows, which account for approximately 50% of the image, are almost completely detail free, eliminating distracting detail which could otherwise confuse the viewer.
January 18th, 2020
January 17th, 2020
Marmite is a famous British branded yeast extract spread. It has lovers and haters, and not much in between. The manufacturers even use this love/hate relationship as a feature of their advertising. I find a similar love/hate standpoint toward minimalism in photography, and wonder why it is like that.
In the featured photograph I see a beautiful arrangement of shapes and colours where others may just see a sign against a wall. It is this transformation from the mundane which excites me about minimal photography, in the same way that, for me, Marmite transforms a mundane slice of toast into an exciting taste sensation.