Transience and Imperfections

(n.) a concept, an aesthetic, and a worldview that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the cycle of growth and decay.

“Greatness” exists in the inconspicuous and overlooked details. Wabi-sabi is about the minor and the hidden, the tentative and the ephemeral: things so subtle and evanescent they are invisible to vulgar eyes. – Lenoard Koren, Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers

A few years ago, I received this lovely book “Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers” by Leonard Koren as a gift, and I was introduced to this Japanese view Wabi-sabi. The philosophy has its roots in Zen Buddhism. Initially, I had difficulty grasping its meaning as it ran opposite to the Western aesthetic I was accustomed to. Despite being raised in the Chinese metropolitan city of Hong Kong; I was under the influence of a predominantly western culture due to the city’s colonial past. Our aesthetics has close links to the Western culture, we favor things that are shiny, new, vibrant, youthful, grand, and flawless. Our culture champions this idealistic view of perfection.

Much of our modern life, including photography reflects those preferences. We put a lot of our emphasis on aiming for perfection. Camera equipment that holds the promise for producing technically superb images get our attention. We enjoy pixel peeping and hail every fine detail of an image. In the digital era, with post processing and limitless opportunities to reshoot, we form this idealistic view where perfection is well within our grasp.

The Wabi-sabi way to seeing runs counterintuitive to the common perception in our everyday life. A simpler way to understand the concept is to understand the origins of the two words. “Wabi” historically meant the misery and loneliness of living in nature, away from society. “Sabi” meant chilled, lean, and withered. As time goes on, those two words have taken on a more positive meaning with its spiritual association with Zen-Buddhism signifying the richness and contentment arise from material poverty. Slowly Wabi-sabi takes on the meaning of appreciating the beauty of impermanence, passing, fragile, decay and modesty. Together Wabi-sabi embraces the aesthetic appreciation of aging, flaws, and the beauty formed by the effects of time and imperfections. The two separate parts when put together, complete each other. They express the simplicity and the truest form of an object. It embraces finding comfort in the basics of life detached from materialistic obsessions of the world.

After I have a better understanding of what Wabi Sabi entails, I notice there begins a shift to my perception when it comes to my practice of photography. While I still enjoy photographing the grand landscape with awe inspiring moments, I find myself increasingly drawn to capture subtle artifacts or moments in life that normally would have escaped me. By loosening my view with my aesthetics, I am able to find beauty everywhere and I am rewarded with more material to work with. Instead of adhering to this idealistic world view, getting frustrated when things don’t happen according to plan or conform to my expectation, I realize I don’t always have to have complete control. I notice even when things, or our bodies blemish and deteriorate with age, we can live in peace if we mindfully notice and embrace those imperfections.

To embrace wabi-sabi in photography is to slow down to notice and appreciate the overlooked beauty of reality that is, in so many ways, beyond our control. I start paying close attention to things that are worn and withered. Weed found on a sidewalk, ice formation at a pothole, peeling paint on the wall, etc. I find shapes, colors, texture, and patterns on weathered objects that may hold interest. When I shift my mindset to hold those worn-out sights with the same admiration and compassion I normally reserve for a sunset, I find myself engulfed in endless possibilities.

Here are a few ideas from my experience of incorporating Wabi-sabi into my photography.

We can cultivate a sense of curiosity to the world we habituate. Can we allow ourselves a moment to experience a sense of wonder as though we are children again seeing things around us for the first time? Do the things we normally take for granted offer a clue, an insight, and a story?

We can suspend our judgment and be more acceptance to our surroundings. Instead of holding this dogmatic view of what constitutes a perfect image by looking for the most photogenic subjects, can we have the humility and treat things we encounter with equal respect despite their difference in statue?

Can we also embrace the simplicity of things? Instead of packing too many ideas into one image, can we pare down to its essence without losing its meaning? By simplifying the frame, maybe we can practice the art of shooting the simplest things in the most compelling way.

The most important of all is to remain playful. Wabi-sabi is by no means a set-in stone philosophy. Instead of clinging to the popular view that a technically perfect image makes for the most compelling image, we can allow ourselves the opportunity to break the rules. Perhaps before we delete those images we consider “mistakes”, we take a pause and ask ourselves why they are mistakes, maybe those mistakes are true reflections of the moment we immerse ourselves in, and they give us an opening not to take ourselves too seriously in our artistic pursuits.

Wabi-sabi has taught me how to let go of my aesthetic bias. It has changed my perception of what beauty and aesthetics can be when I suspend my judgement and embrace what is there. I learn to find satisfaction in the humbler moments of life.