Slow Photography #49 A Bonzai tripod
Hoseki Shinichi Hisamatsu was a Japanese artist, Buddhist and philosopher. In Zen and the Fine Arts , he proposed seven properties that exemplify the art of the Bonsai tree. His concepts harmonize with the awareness we seek when making photographs. Asymmetry. For a Buddhist, perfect form is impossible. Suffering is eased by letting go of striving for perfection. Informality and imbalance pervade nature. This is reflected in a work of art. Simplicity. A photograph contains only what is necessary, and no more. It seeks to avoid complexity. 3. Austere sublimity . Zen art is not youthful, sensual or opulent. It fits better with advanced age. It exhibits rigor and austerity. Fancy touches can be removed in order to lead into the heart of the message. The texture of some old pri...