Not too long ago, we wrote about minimalism and how it is a great way to push your visual language boundary with fewer elements. While we still stand by what we said earlier, today, we want to take a different approach to photography, one that may not excite many: Maximalism. You must be wondering, “In an already visually saturated world, why do we need to take a maximalist approach?” There are various reasons for this, and we shall reveal them shortly.
For the uninitiated, maximalism is a burst of colors, patterns, and other elements that help one peel layers by layers to see the crux of the photograph. Often, the composition is bold, and there is also a sensory overload in other cases. Overall, an image is filled with so many details and varied storylines that it will take some time to unravel what is happening within the frame.
Maximalism, as a concept, became quite famous during the 17th and 18th centuries, but over the years, it has been resurging in contemporary art scenes. It is not limited to painting but also to photography, where many people add layers of information to keep the viewer engaged. This is also a great way for the photographer to explore their limits, and that is why this form of expression has been gaining popularity, especially among those who wish to create with a unique energy.
So, if you are wondering what maximalism looks like, let me talk bout the work of Oscar Gustave Rejlander and his iconic photograph Two Ways of Life. Considered to be the most ambitious and controversial photograph, Two Ways of Life is a photograph that is created using more than 30 negatives. A photo collage by nature, the picture showcases the choice between vice and virtue, with subjects such as two men at varied stages in life. It showcases one’s youth passing through varied stages of lust, gambling, and idleness while the other man chooses a more society-appropriate path of marriage, religion, and good work. What makes this picture so iconic is that, at first glance, you will never understand its meaning. It takes several attempts to figure out what Rejlander is even hinting at. So, in a time when one is doom-scrolling, Rajlander’s work is something that will make you stop in your tracks.
Then there is Jerry Uelsmann, an American photographer who was also considered the father of photo montages. Jerry tugs at your conscience in his surreal work, created in a dark room. The pictures, which are so well crafted, take several seconds to peel the layers away and find the core message. The image above is an example of that. On the one hand, the picture can be interpreted as forests being destroyed to create a way for civilization, but at the same time, it makes it appear that nature is reclaiming what it lost. However, a third meaning could also be interpreted as one’s roots always being back at home, which can help one understand the challenges of immigration and forced displacement.
If one talks about street photography, then the work of Joel Meyerowitz comes to mind, particularly one of his images shot in Paris in 1967 (seen above). The image showcases a young man, fallen on the side walk, as people walk past him, without anyone reaching to help him. There is already so much going on that one needs a moment to analyze the scene. Was the person unwell or perhaps drunk? Why did no one reach out? There is also the commotion of the traffic layered in, which makes one wonder where he comes from? The answer to this you may not know, but you will certainly be engaged to unravel the story as you stare at the image.
Maximalism basically helps one not only to create striking visuals but also to allow your viewers to truly engage in what they are seeing. As seen above, each element in the photography, while disruptive in nature, comes together to weave a strong story. In addition, one feels emotions such as excitement, curiosity, or even rage, depending on what the subject is about. So, if you are wondering why maximalism, then you have the answer now. This form of visuals is making its way back into popular culture, thanks to films like Beetlejuice 2, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and more. Perhaps this is a more natural way for visuals to evolve as our attention spans are becoming shorter with time, thanks to social media. Perhaps this will help pave the way for a better tomorrow.
