For Toronto- based photographer Rick Bogacz, taking a minimalist approach has been key in developing his working style over the past several year.
"I want the viewer to be drawn to what is important. It's always more difficult to try and determine what needs to be taken out of the frame instead of what needs to be left in."
While he always had a passion for taking pictures, Rick decided after graduating
from Ryerson University's journalism program in 1981 that his career path would be more focused on the printed word. He became a newspaper reporter and spent a good chunk of his early years with the St. Catharines Standard when it was a family-owned newspaper dedicated to covering the Niagara Region.
However, after 13 years Rick decided it was time to acquire some formal photography training.
“I thought that if I was going to take the plunge, doing so at a younger age probably made the most sense."
Rick enrolled in the Creative Photography program at Humber College where he honed his technical proficiency. Upon graduation, he freelanced as a photojournalist combining his skills as a photographer and writer for clients across Southern Ontario.
The late 90s and 2000s saw his career path evolve in digital media. All the while though, he was taking photographs. More recently, Rick decided to rekindle his passion for fine art photography with a focus on black and white landscapes.
Combined with the Japanese philosophy of Ma - the celebration of the space between things – his goal is to evoke a calming esthetic that is both gentle and elegant. Negative space becomes as important to developing the image as the key subject matter itself.
“I do this to try and capture a sense of tranquility and peacefulness in a world that has experienced less of these attributes.”
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
As a photographer, I am captivated by the subtleties and nuances of the natural world. My black and white minimalist landscape photography explores the minimalist aesthetic to showcase the beauty and serenity of the landscape.
Working in black and white allows me to strip away any distracting colors and focus purely on the composition and textures of the landscape. I aim to create images that convey a sense of quiet contemplation, inviting the viewer to pause and appreciate the simple splendor of the natural world.
Each photograph is carefully composed, with a strong attention to detail and a focus on visual balance. By minimizing the elements within the frame, I strive to create a sense of clarity and tranquility that reflects the essence of the landscape itself.
Ultimately, my hope is that my black and white minimalist landscape photography inspires viewers to connect with nature, to appreciate its vastness and beauty, and to recognize the importance of preserving it for generations to come.
