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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Zen Flesh, Zen Bones : Learning Zen Photography
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05/26/2006 03:56:10 AM · #1
I have always been interested in Zen philosophy. Maybe it’s because I strongly believe in Simplicity as virtue and Zen tries to keep things simple (as they are).

Zen has influenced photography also. There are lots of practitioners and experts in " Zen Photography " and their work is visible on net. I'm sure there will be few on DPC also who consciously (or unconsciously) are into Zen photography and I seek to see their work and learn from it.

Post your Zen photos and photography tips to keep this thread going. Keep it simple (in Zen spirit).

To start with these are the two I could find which "might" be an example -



Just keep into mind that this thread is as much about Zen as it is about photography. The idea is to learn "how to keep it simple" in this complex (or so the mind says) world.

Mu*

* You will soon know what it is ... or better- you won't feel the need to "know" :)

05/26/2006 04:24:00 AM · #2


I was drawn to this and left it very simple...
05/26/2006 05:04:52 AM · #3
Originally posted by tejinder:



To start with these are the two I could find which "might" be an example -



tejinder, thanks for throwing my picture in, as it really was some kind of meditation piling up those stones (no glue used). i took that photo after the shot i had planned for still life challenge at first, but which didn't came out as good as i had imagined. I just wanted to calm down a bit, but still profit of the great light i had then (all natural!).

I found this, and think it fits well into "zen" photography:
05/26/2006 05:10:37 AM · #4
For those who might be confused - Minimalism is the key to zen photography. So post the photos (and even ideas) related to minimalism (in photograhy ..and even beyond).

Check out this site for links to zen photographers and their sites. I personally liked this one.

Yet another example from DPC -



and



I saw this photo few months back and it sheer simplicity made me remember to look for it and I even rememered who clicked it (without any real effort to grey cells).

...and as pointed out by eyewave - you need a "still" mind to see the zen moments. Its photography, Its Meditation.

Message edited by author 2006-05-26 05:23:43.
05/26/2006 06:40:22 AM · #5

05/26/2006 07:03:33 AM · #6
Originally posted by emorgan49:



Lovely example. One thing which is noticeable in Zen photography is that "subject" does not cover much of the area on photo and it is used to highlight its environment. This is very much visible in Zen paintings also which have either bamboo forest or hills with small subject (normally Sage) in bright colors. The enormity of the environment gets highlighted with presence of (insignificant) subject.

Again quoting the same example to hightlight this point -



Message edited by author 2006-05-26 07:05:43.
05/26/2006 10:09:06 AM · #7
05/26/2006 10:34:27 AM · #8

05/26/2006 11:27:31 AM · #9
05/26/2006 11:32:18 AM · #10
Does this fit the topic?

05/26/2006 11:36:35 AM · #11
05/26/2006 11:46:08 AM · #12
Epiphany!

Wow. That was intense. I have never been able to find my style (see my entries). I do like simple pictures. (I also like witty pictures.) I just thought it was simplicity, but it's more than that. It's this zen style. I'll need to do more research, but thanks for pointing this style out.
05/26/2006 11:51:47 AM · #13
Originally posted by tejinder:

Lovely example. One thing which is noticeable in Zen photography is that "subject" does not cover much of the area on photo and it is used to highlight its environment. This is very much visible in Zen paintings also which have either bamboo forest or hills with small subject (normally Sage) in bright colors. The enormity of the environment gets highlighted with presence of (insignificant) subject.

Again quoting the same example to hightlight this point -



not necessarily. i think one of my pictures might fit the bill, even though the subject fills pretty much the whole frame.


what do you think?

Message edited by author 2006-05-26 11:55:47.
05/26/2006 12:10:09 PM · #14







05/26/2006 12:35:26 PM · #15
05/26/2006 12:39:47 PM · #16
Originally posted by tejinder:

One thing which is noticeable in Zen photography is that "subject" does not cover much of the area on photo and it is used to highlight its environment.

Does this count?
05/26/2006 12:46:20 PM · #17
I think my first entry fits into the simple part - not sure about zen though.... It was pretty much canned (no pun intended) by the voters but I still like it mostly for the simplicity.
05/26/2006 01:20:01 PM · #18
I too, love the spirit in which zen lives. I cant say I am expert in the subject, but have trinkled with it. There is another simple philosophy that comes from the Nagual Indians (Central America)- The Four Agreements that borders closely with Zen. They kind of both intertwine with each other, but Zen normally does tend to intertwine instead of disagree with everything. Thats why I like it.

Anyway what I wanted to mention was Dax's work. I personally think it could be considered Zen Photography, though I don't know she intended that way. It gives me that feeling anyway. Go check her out, man, I wished I knew how to post her link here. Sorry Guys, just look her up.

Dax- //www.dpchallenge.com/profile.php?USER_ID=35161

Message edited by author 2006-05-26 13:23:43.
05/26/2006 01:38:04 PM · #19




All were made using natural light.
05/26/2006 01:40:17 PM · #20
Originally posted by emorgan49:



zen humor, I love it!

of course it's zen to just go wherever you are...
05/26/2006 01:42:20 PM · #21


I consider much of my landscape work to be zen-inspired. I consciously seek out the still point in the turning world.

R.
05/26/2006 01:42:44 PM · #22
Well, even though most of the times subject does not cover much area, there is no "rule" defined for Zen photography in real terms. Rules limit the creation and Zen is all about wholeness.

I feel following are good fit (purely based on my 'personal' understanding of this kind of photography)-




Most of photos posted by posthumous

Most certainly this one -


And too some extent this one (just does not 'feel' like zen though its really simple) -


Anyway, my intent for starting this thread is to find out practitioners of this style and learn from them. I'm really just a learner who can post (or consolidate) what I'm learning. But thanks for asking my opinion. Hope I do justice in answering.

Thanks for the link, sacredspirit! Dax-'s work certainly has zen feel to it. "Simplicity" is appropriatly titled and does has strong Zen feel it it.



I'm glad this thread is moving ...

[PS - I'll be slow in response. I'm on dialup from home...]

Message edited by author 2006-05-26 13:44:32.
05/26/2006 01:47:21 PM · #23
Originally posted by RKT:





All were made using natural light.


Simple and Perfect. I'm glad I started this thread. Its rewarding to see so many amazing zen photos in single forum.
05/26/2006 01:49:21 PM · #24
05/26/2006 01:49:35 PM · #25
Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by emorgan49:



zen humor, I love it!

of course it's zen to just go wherever you are...


In-fact, Zen seems to be the most "non-serious" philosophy and has lots of humor in its anecdotes. I'll try to find few and post in thread.

Bear, your work certainly has stillness to it. It certainly makes my mind lose on words (which I think it good :))

Message edited by author 2006-05-26 13:51:45.
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