For our Photo Challenge, Ann-Christine suggests we rediscover our surrounds. Look around and make an effort to notice things that are generally overlooked. Think outside the box. As she says in her post, “There is so much to discover, if only you open your mind and all your senses. Follow that road, follow your curiosity… There might still be lovely surprises around the corner.” Be sure to see her post on Found in the Neighborhood.
The Kiawah Island Photography Club had an interesting program earlier this week. Jamie Konarski Davidson, an award-winning freelance outdoor & nature photographer, gave a presentation entitled “Wabi Sabi: Finding Beauty in Imperfection”. Wabi-sabi in photography is photographing the overlooked and unappreciated beauty in an object. Being able to see beauty in something that has aged and is broken. While thinking about Ms. Davidson’s presentation, I decided to look around the neighborhood to see what I could find that could be defined as wabi-sabi images.
Wabi-Sabi (Japanese): a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay.
Close to our house in Maine are a few old buildings and other items which have been worn down through time. So, I decided to grab my camera and go out exploring! I found examples of aged beauty in old buildings, equipment left to rust and decay and a sunflower that had passed its prime. It proved to be challenging to see imperfect and aging details in an object and then try to interpret and share this beauty through my photography. (These pictures can be enlarged by double clicking on them.)
I am sure this sunflower below was gorgeous not too long ago. Standing proudly near the sidewalk where many visitors walked each day and admired its beauty. To me, it is still beautiful despite its age and condition. Yes, the birds have visited and eaten part of the flower. The flower pedals have dropped off leaving a bright yellow crown. And even though the flower head is drooped with age, it is still standing straight and tall.
Who knows how old this farm wagon is – weather and time have rusted the metal wheel. Its beauty now is seen in the broken design of the wheel and the golden-orange colors of rust. It was no longer functionable for some reason and has been left to rust and decay. Probably its only beauty is now shown in its imperfection.
Imagine how stunning this church steeple must have been at one time with such beautiful ornate wood carvings around the bell tower. Even though the elements have treated it harshly and it is surrounded by dead tree branches, it is still picturesque and dignified.
This house used to be someone family home. Years ago, it was probably considered quite lovely with a nice long driveway and flowers all around. Now in its decaying state, beauty can be found in the patterns and details of the roof. The awning over the front door shows a different kind of beauty in the patterns of its decay.
“Wabi-sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble. It is a beauty of things unconventional.” – Leonard Koren
Beauty found in unexpected places.