How could this minimalist image be even more minimal?

Nikon D800, 1/1250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100, 200mm
Nikon D800, 1/1250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 100, 200mm

When I took this picture, I intentionally composed it so the sailboat was the only thing in the frame. I really liked how the sky and water almost seamlessly blended with each other. This further gives more emphasis to the subject, which is the sailboat.

Despite the simplicity of this image, there is one thing that I don’t like about it though.

When I took a closer look at this photo on my computer, I zoomed in closer to the sailboat only to find out that there were actually two sailboats: one staggered in front of another. This may not be as evident when looking at the photo from afar, but is more obvious when it’s pointed out.

The vibrant colours were coming from the two sailboats and not the one. Because the two sailboats were staggered with each other, the all familiar shape of the sailboat is no longer visible in this photo. In fact, if it weren’t for the coloured sails, you probably wouldn’t have known that this was a sailboat.

To simplify the mess of sailboats, I would have much rather captured the photo with just one sailboat in the frame. I would sacrifice the extra colour that the sailboat adds to the photo, for the sake of simplicity.

If you think otherwise about this photo, feel free to let me know what you think!

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