Black and White Minimal Photography Guide

Many photographers use Lightroom but avoid using Photoshop because it is so intimidating. If this is you then this guide is for you. You will learn the Photoshop Workspace, how it is organised, where to find tools and how to set up pallets. You will learn how to use keyboard shortcuts and how to use powerful tools to create images like these examples. Once you know these techniques you can then apply them to many other images, not just Minimalist.

Please note this guide was produced using Photoshop 2024. Older versions are also suitable and can be used-only a few tools will not apply such as AI Remove. Other image editing applications can also be used such as Affinity. As Affinity is very similar to Photoshop the technique is the same, tools and names will be different. Applications such as DXO and Lightroom cannot be used because they do not support layers with selections and masks.

Full Processing

Step by step processing from start to finish. The Guide shows how I take a less than ideal image using the one above and use the tools in Photoshop to create the Black and White image shown. I explain how to prepare the image, use Layers, Selections, Masks, Levels, and other features of Photoshop. I include a Photoshop Workspace tutorial for those not familiar with it. You will learn how to enhance skies or swap them, use techniques to create longer exposure water like above without having to swap it, and how to remove horizons. The water shown here in the final image is the same water as in the start image.

Gear, Shooting Technique & Composition

Also included; tips for equipment you need, shooting technique for long exposures and tips for composition.

Any Camera

Not sure if you camera can create Long Exposure Images? All you need is Bulb Mode. Just about any any SLR camera is suitable whether mirrorless or Dslr.