[Philosophy]

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that is closely associated to concepts of Zen Buddhism. Although trying to express this theory in word is in total discord with its ineffable quality, the fundamental idea is the expression of imperfection and impermanence which is attached to the rudimentary way most of us perceive reality. A work of Art created in the spirit of wabi-sabi would include such elements as beauty, melancholy, grace, euphoria and darkness, and would finely balance the negative with the positive. To penetrate wabi-sabi as a viewer elevates ones awareness, but to capture it as an artist belongs to the realm of an elite few.

This aesthetic is my goal in photography. Taking technically perfect shots is a magnificent achievement, but the role of an artist is to express the inexpressible.  As I stated previously, I'm still finding my way with photography. This is my time of experimentation before settling into an aesthetic that reveals my personal creative statement. Meanwhile, I have taken a few photos that play with the ideas I've mentioned in this post.

A simple shot of a building at night. At first it looks like a simple abstract geometrical pattern. However, on closer inspection we see workers at copy machines in their office. 

Macro photography helps to portray the oddities of nature. It's a great way of looking closely and discovering what was previously unseen.

Even an everyday scene, like a teddy bear on a bed, can take on an ominous character with the right lighting and depth of tone. It can transform a safe, welcoming environment into something unnerving.

#photography #philosophy #art