The Lens-Artists Challenge #125: You Pick It
This is an interesting challenge due to Tina’s opening inviting us into the challenge with “This week it’s all up to you – you get to choose your subject and to share whatever it is about it that you find interesting. Personally, I’ve chosen last week’s introduction to the concept of Wabi-Sabi, particularly as it relates to art and photography, as my topic.“

Wabi-Sabi has me intrigued as my initial though was to just bung up a couple of flowers and say I picked these.
But no, I had to go down a bit of a Wabi-Sabi rabbit hole of discovery. This definition was quite good “Although Wabi-sabi can be hard to define, we can translate its simplified meaning to “rustic simplicity” or “understated elegance” with a focus on a less-is-more mentality, while “taking pleasure in the imperfect”.”
When looking for Wabi-Sabi perhaps “Wabi-sabi is a cracked and glued together ceramic bowl (check the concept of kintsugi); a funnily shaped, home-grown tomato; a dinner created from leftovers; falling cherry blossom; a worn wooden hallway and an elbow patch on your favourite jumper. Therefore, it’s an appreciation of all that is simple, modest and imperfect. Yet, loved deeply.”
So where to from here. Want to find out? Let’s have a go at my interpretation of Wabi-Sabi through a photographers eyes






I added this one for a bit of Zen fun
From the website – https://japanahome.com/journal/wabi-sabi-how-to-embrace-this-ancient-japanese-philosophy-at-home-and-life/
Wabi- sabi and Zen
Wabi-Sabi’s roots lie in Zen Buddhism, which a Chinese twelfth century monk (Eisai) brought to Japan. Zen stresses austerity, communion with nature, and above all, reverence for everyday life as the real path to enlightenment. To reach enlightenment, Zen monks lived ascetic, often isolated lives, and sat for long periods of concentrated meditation.
In Zen philosophy, there are seven aesthetic principles in achieving Wabi-sabi:
Kanso — simplicity
Fukinsei — asymmetry or irregularity
Shibumi — beauty in the understated
Shizen — naturalness without pretension
Yugen — subtle grace
Datsuzoku — freeness
Seijaku — tranquility

Thanks Tina for taking me to Japan and back for a while
So I didn’t see your link on Tina’s Challenge site. Does she not have you pingback? I’d like to enter but not sure how to. I like your interpretation of the prompt.
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https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2020/11/28/lens-artists-challenge-125-you-pick-it/
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Thanks Judy 🙂
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Wow Brian – you REALLY dove into the concept..I am truly impressed!! (I also loved your I picked these 😀) You have so many wonderful W-S examples but my favorites are the birdbath and the leaf. OK, the foggy trees are wonderful too.
Your Zen fun ending is perfection!! There’s a challenge in that one for sure…..Vegetables that resemble people? Three-legged vegetables? Obscene vegetables? I’ll have to think about that one!
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Thanks Tina 🙂 glad you like this post. I had fun writing and gathering images. Maybe a challenge would be fun along those lines of the vegetable odd bods 😀 😀
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That carrot really makes me laugh. I’ve seen some like this. I like the leaf skeleton photo and that very first top shot.
janet
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Thank you janet 🙂 glad the carrot could bring a laugh
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I am really impressed. What beautiful flowers and so many! And gorgeous pictures too.
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Thank you Marilyn 🙂
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This was a pleasure to explore as you gave us a mini lesson, let us enjoy the photos and then the Japan and zen musings
well done
top takeaways – the carrot – the colorful flowers at the start and these phrases:
“rustic simplicity” or “understated elegance”
that was what you delivered
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Thanks Yvette 🙂 so happy you found a bit of a connection with my post
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well done !
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I love the Japanese style of painting, but I can’t see anything remotely Wabi Sabi in it- it’s pure precision and meticulous detail. Your take is a little on the dark side for me, Brian, but that leaf is a thing of beauty and I rather like the mysterious tree 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin!
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Ahhh the mystery of Wabi-Sabi 🙂 I like that leaf as well Jo 🙂
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Oh, brilliant, I’m all for a spot of Wabi Sabi and you have given us a great explanation. Love the birdbath, the leaf and those trees in the fog.. that carrot had me smiling!
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Thanks Sue 🙂 that carrot made me smile at the market too
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😄
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Wow, superb collection and thank you for the detailed explanation of the meanings about these Japanese words.Love all the images.The carrot one is brilliant !
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Thanks very much 🙂
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Great gallery. The carrot made me smile:)
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Thanks Karina 🙂 I am glad the carrot has been enjoyed by lots of people. Made me smile when I saw it
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Zen fun is a great, like a beautiful painting. This carrot, what a finding, Brian! 🙂 🙂
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I think so as well Amy 🙂 The vegetable seller at the market did have it on top of the carrot pile
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Your “I Picked These” made me laugh, Brian. I’m glad you dove deeper into Wabi Sabi. Fascinating concept. Your image of the shadowy trees really resonated with me. Lovely.
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Thank you Patti 🙂 it was lots of fun 🙂
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WOW. Great photos, VERY unique perspectives. The hanging cups, webby leaf, and misty tree are my most faves. Well done!
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Thanks John 🙂 it did take a while for inspiration to hit
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Your leaf did it for me, Brian.
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Thanks Tracy 🙂
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Thank you for the lesson! Love your bird bath and the leaf especially – not to talk about your flowery starters! Lovely concept. From my grandmothers’ growing carrots I have picked many strange thingies…
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Thanks ever so much A-C 🙂 misshapen carrots are the main funny garden vegetable.
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;-D
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