Minimalist photography is not simply about taking a photograph of less. Minimalism is about getting to the essence of something.
Steve Johnson
I like this quote a lot. It reminds us that everything captured within our photos should be there for a reason. What we leave out is as important as what we include, but we also need to be sure that our subject is clear and that our photo says something about that subject.
For this week’s Monochrome Madness PR of Flights of the Soul suggests we look at minimalism. I covered this topic earlier this year, for the Lens Artists challenge. But I can’t resist the opportunity to share more monochrome minimalism! So I’ve pulled together another selection of shots, this time all from our recent Sri Lanka trip.
I’ve reviewed them in the light of Steve Johnson’s point about the ‘essence of something’. So I hope that in each case you see not only the empty space that minimalism demands, but also a ‘something’ that helps to tell the story of Sri Lanka: its people, its landscapes, its nature.
To find out more about Monochrome Madness have a look at the information on Leanne’s blog.
Mugger crocodile, Wilpattu National Park
Green Garden Lizard, Wilpattu National Park
Fallen Fish Poison Tree flower, Galle Fort
Painted Stork, Gal Oya National Park
(my feature photo was also taken here)
White-bellied Sea Eagles, Gal Oya National Park
Sunset from Jaffna Fort
From the Elephant Pass causeway south of Jaffna
View from the ramparts, Galle Fort
Incense burning at the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
At Wild Grass Nature Resort near Sigiriya
In Galle Fort
Leaf shadows at the Swanee Grand hotel, Negombo
Finally, a shot taken at the Mudhouse eco lodge – which version do you prefer, with or without selective colour?
I visited Sri Lanka in February 2026
38 Comments
grandmisadventures
beautiful collection- I really love the eagles facing opposite directions
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😀 It was kind of the eagles to pose so beautifully!
wetanddustyroads
Beautiful examples of minimalism in photos (and also beautiful in monochrome, mind you 😉). The stork is definitely my favourite. As for your last photo – LOVE that splash of pink!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you again Corna 🙂 I’m pleased you like the splash of pink AND the stork!
Image Earth Travel
Another great collection. I think in this case, the selective splash of pink in your Mudhouse photo works well, and I prefer it more than the monochrome version. 😉
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Nilla 🙂 I think you may be the first person to express a preference between those two shots! I plan to share the original in a post some time this week, which I actually prefer to either of these edits.
Image Earth Travel
Great, I’ll keep an eye out for those this week.
rkrontheroad
These are all striking testaments to your photographic eye. Enjoyed them.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Ruth 😊
Klausbernd
Hi Sarah
We liked best ‘Sunset from Jaffna Fort’. That could have been here as well. For us, the picture is perfect, simplistic and a great design.
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much, I’m glad that one in particular appealed to you 😊
Leanne Cole
These are wonderful, they are great for the theme Sarah, I don’t know if I can pick a favourite, I do like the boats.
Sarah Wilkie
Many thanks Leanne 😊 Lone fishing boats are often a good option for minimalist shots!
Vicki
Great examples of minimalism. The wild grass nature resort is beautiful. I was surprised how well that composition worked in monochrome. The sunset from Jaffna Port is another favourite.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Vicki 🙂 It was raining quite heavily when I took that shot at the Wild Grass resort – you can see the dimples on the water where the rain is landing.
the eternal traveller
I’m in the majority in voting the stork my favourite of these photos. They are all quite dramatic though. And the waterlilies are lovely.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Carol 🙂 I’ll do a full post on Gal Oya some time so you can all see the painted stork in colour too!
Egídio
So many great choices here! I especially liked the featured image and the stork. The stork, especially, is worth hanging on a wall.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Egidio 🙂 That stork does seem to be popular!
Monkey's Tale
Like others, I think the painted storks is my fav, although I don’t like the lantern at Galle Fort. As for the water lily, I’d like to see the colour version. 😊 Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
I’ll try to share the colour waterlily in a post some time next week. I’m pleased you liked the painted stork but curious why you didn’t like the lamp in Galle? Are you not keen on that distressed paint or is it the lamp itself? No problem of course, everyone is different, but I’d love to know the reason!
Monkey's Tale
Oops, automatic spell check I think. I did not mean didn’t, I meant did!! I should always re-read before sending!!
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, I wondered afterwards if that was the case 🤣
Anne Sandler
Beautiful black and white images Sarah. I really like the crocodile. I would have missed him if you didn’t mention it. Regarding the flower, I like the monochrome better. It shows contrast and tone where the color version doesn’t. I think I would have liked the entire photo in color.
Sarah Wilkie
Many thanks Anne ☺️ I’m leaning towards the B&W waterlily myself but my favourite is the colour version which I’ll definitely share soon!
margaret21
These are all great shots, but I think the bird photos especially do it for me, especially that painted stork. As to the two versions of the (?) water lily: b/w every time. I’m rarely a fan of selective colour (as you might have guessed!). But I think I’d like to see it in full colour as well.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret ☺️ I was pleased with how the painted stork shot came out, both the colour original and this version. I’ll share the waterlily in colour some time soon.
margaret21
Good-oh!
Sue
Ah, what a lovely gallery, Sarah! I love that header shot, my kind of image and also the photograph of the little lizard
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Sue 😊 We had a lot of rain in Gal Oya but when it finally cleared the views of the lake were magical – I’ll share more in due course no doubt!
PR
These are wonderful, Sarah! The quote is so profound. I specially like the painted stork, the burning incense sticks, the two birds on the wire, and the last waterlily (both versions). Thanks for joining in the Monochrome Madness challenge.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much 😊 It’s always interesting to learn which images stand out for people, and the incense one is a favourite of mine as well as the birds at sunset. It was a pleasure having you as a guest host – I hope you’ll be able to do so again some time!
PR
I am glad that you liked the challenge, Sarah. Will check with Leanne about hosting another time 🙂
Teresa
They are all captured beautifully. But the Sunset from Jaffna Fort gets my vote. I really don’t know the reason why but it catches my attention.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Teresa 😊 That was such a pretty sunset – soft but lovely, and the large number of crows added to the scene.
bushboy
I like the crocodile and the Painted Stork best Sarah. I actually like both the monochrome as well as the selective colour photos of the Cape Water Lily flower
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian 🙂 I couldn’t decide about the waterlily and I’m still not sure! To be honest I think I like the original colour version better than either of these 😆
bushboy
That is a good point Sarah 😂