Last year I wrote about traveling to San Diego for my son’s birthday. There, I took a few black and white minimalist photos of glass lamps.
This year we didn’t venture far. Unsure about where the US economy is going to go, I’ve decided to opt for a shorter trip to save money while still having fun and being able to celebrate.
Monterey, which is a 2-1/2-4 hour drive from Sacramento, depending on traffic, has been on this blog a couple of times. My series Monterey Trees has been entirely shot there. On April 6, 2025, however, I did not try to photograph those beautiful cypresses, opting to hang out with my son like a normal tourist, while trying to snatch a photo here and there.
I did take my Nikon D-750, which I have told everyone already, that I am not going to replace any time soon, and a 16-35mm f/4. It’s a simple set-up that enabled me to go from wide angle to “macro” very easily. Remember, both macro and wide angle lenses allow you to get really close and fill the frame with your subject. If you don’t have a macro for details, your next choice is a wide angle.
On casual outings, I opt for photos that are minimalist. If you are not familiar with the concept, I wrote a blog post about it a while ago “Zooming in the Foxtail Agave while thinking about Marcus Aurelius and time- part two“. Minimalist, black and white photographs make it possible to be somewhat original in highly touristic places, since it allows us to focus on details and personal interpretations.
Below are some of my photos, for your appreciation. Some are more minimalistic (fewer elements, more negative space) than others. They were all shot at wide angles.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
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