Several methods can achieve

simplicity Simplicity is the state or quality of being wikt:simple, simple. Something easy to understand or explain seems simple, in contrast to something complicated. Alternatively, as Herbert A. Simon suggests, something is simple or Complexity, complex ...

in a

photograph A photograph (also known as a photo, or more generically referred to as an ''image'' or ''picture'') is an image created by light falling on a photosensitivity, photosensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic image sensor. Th ...

. One of the simplest is to place the subject against a

neutral Neutral or neutrality may refer to: Mathematics and natural science Biology * Neutral organisms, in ecology, those that obey the unified neutral theory of biodiversity Chemistry and physics * Neutralization (chemistry), a chemical reaction in ...

background such as a backdrop or the

sky The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the planetary surface, surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere of Earth, atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from ...

. Backgrounds can be entirely neutral, like a solid backdrop or a cloudless sky; or they can complement the image, like a

starfish Starfish or sea stars are Star polygon, star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class (biology), class Asteroidea (). Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to brittle star, ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to ...

on the sand. A more technical method of achieving simplicity involves focusing on the subject while ensuring the background is out of focus. Macro settings on digital cameras tend to do this automatically, as they have a narrow

depth of field The depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and the farthest objects that are in acceptably sharp focus (optics), focus in an image captured with a camera. See also the closely related depth of focus. Factors affecting depth ...

to begin with; the same effect can be achieved with manual adjustment. A photograph showing simplicity should have a clear reason the subject was chosen. The reason for taking the picture should be clearly evident. All unrelated topics should not be present. This relates to

shallow Shallow may refer to: Places * Shallow (underwater relief), where the depth of the water is low compared to its surroundings * Shallow Bay (disambiguation), various places * Shallow Brook, New Jersey, United States * Shallow Inlet, Victoria ...

depth of field as well, which blurs out the background and focuses on what is the main subject of the photograph. Whether said subject is in the center or otherwise does not matter as this is strictly a product of photographic composition.

References

Photographic techniques {{filmmaking-stub