wabi sabi

"Wabi Sabi is a way of seeing the world that is at the heart of Japanese culture. It finds beauty and harmony in what is simple, imperfect, natural, modest, and mysterious." - Mark Reibstein

"..three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect." Richard Powell

I had such an 'ah ha' moment this week when I learnt about wabi-sabi. These are the words that explain photographers' endless fascination with images of doorways in old buildings, rusty bikes, and the juxtaposition of perseverence & endurance through acceptance.

Processing this image I felt that familiar twinge - a shallow sadness that these limes were not quite perfectly plump & fresh enough for the 365 audience.. and yet conversely, I felt it was OK to choose this wonky composition and did not crop the image, because "that was how it was..." I wonder if I will ever be able to capture such (inner) tension in my photography

I really do recommend you look at Steve McCurry's images at https://stevemccurry.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/beauty-in-imperfection/ because they will convey the concept much better than I have!

Interestingly even the Wikipedia entry struggles to explain wabi sabi using words.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi

[Sarah Bremner]

That's lovely! The simple things are the best!

[Osia Strasner]

Thank you, Lyn....that was perfect! It is also a good reminder that the more we pursue perfection the further it moves away from us!! And, I love your image.....the fruit bowl seems to float in space!

[katy]

A good explanation of a goal we should all have in our photography!

This is really a very fabulous image you have created here!

[☠northy]

interesting concept... i shall have to ponder... i love doorways and decay... but i do tend to seek perfection... of a sort...

i do, btw, like the tension in this image... it is not peaceful... but it "is"...

[Mike Gifford]

Fav...nice image and I'll try to read up on Wabi Sabi.

[aikiuser (jenn)]

I like that the basket is on edge, adds a sense of tension somehow

[Joyce]

This is a really interesting concept. being a visual learner I am very grateful for the link. Also I like this shot. I sometimes think we don't see our own work the same way as others. I was not at all satisfied with my first effort with a crystal ball yesterday but it ended up on the PP. It's something to do with my images not measuring up to what I planned in my head and others just seeing them as they are. Does that make sense:-)))

[Anja]

I like this shot. Thanks for posting the link to Steve McCurry's images, they're wonderful!

[Lyn Todd]

@thistle I absolutely, absolutely agree with you Joyce. I feel like that for 90% of my posts! The only thing that helps is looking back 6 months later & I think - "oh they are not so bad after all". I think that is why the wabi sabi concept is one that I need to really take on board. what "is", is!!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

I love this Lyn and always find the shots with visible imperfections in the subject quite appealing. It's really life- sometimes things are balanced and beautiful. But other times it's got scrapes and bruises. There is good and even beauty in all of it. It's all how you see it- and so it is with photography. Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to rust! fav

[Margaret Obey]

What an interesting concept, great photo to show it