For Maximum Impact, Look for Simplicity

SCOTT KELBY

The single thing that probably kills more properly exposed city life photographs than anything else is clutterall the distracting background items, foreground items, and just general stuff that gets in the way. So, one of the big secrets to creating powerful and dramatic urban and travel shots is to strive for simplicity. Look for simplicity in your backgrounds, in your people shots, in your architectural elements, in every aspectthe simpler the surroundings, the more powerful the impact. Go out shooting with that very goal in mind. Look for the absence of distraction. Look for the absence of clutter and noise, watch for distracting elements that sneak into the top and sides of your frame, and create some photos that have great impactnot because of what they have, but because of what they don't havelots of junk.