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Magazine
Eric Mattheyses : Photography with its own individuality

by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 18th of March 2024

 

Eric Mattheyses has been fascinated by photography for many years. The countless number of possibilities created by the new digital era even have increased his enthusiasm. His main focus goes to architecture photography but he also excels in several other categories. Let's wander through his body of work and learn more about the artist behind his images.

 

'Hatch'

 

Dear Eric, first I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! To begin, please introduce yourself shortly and tell us more about you, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!

I am Eric Mattheyses. Retired geography teacher at a secondary school in Antwerp. In my spare time, in addition of being an amateur photographer, I was a passionate tennis player. Travelling was also a must, but I preferred to spend the holidays with my family on the Belgian coast. Now I'm visiting the North Sea region several times a year.

 

When and how did you start your photographic journey?

It's been a long time. When we went on our honeymoon, we thought there absolutely had to freeze  some memories. So off to the photo shop to purchase a camera. As a complete novice in the photographic field, I also bought a manual to learn some facts about photography: “Elsevier's photo book for everyone” by Gert Lindner. This book taught me the first photographic techniques and has served as a guideline in my photographic development for a long time.

A second big step in my photographic discovery was meeting a colleague of my wife. He was already an avid darkroom worker and when I went to join him in his darkroom for the first time, photography became something magical to me.

 

For many of us photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship with photography?

Yet my photography ran at a leisurely pace during those years. A child, family, sports and other working conditions took up a lot of my free time. I continued taking photos and by registered in a local photo club (of which I have been chairman for years now). I never lost my passion for photography and it became a divine hobby for me.

 

What would be the most important experience so far that has influenced your steps in photography?

Little by little, the digital era appeared. As I came in contact with digital techniques earlier in my daily work, my interest was aroused. First by having a CD-ROM made with your own images and then by scanning the slides yourself. Ultimately, a printer was essential here and this way my photography had a second start. A start that would have more speed and content than in the early years. Photo editing programs such as PS were also made an important contribution to this.

 

You have your own style but your work is very diversified.  I mainly see architecture photography but also several completely different categories. Can you explain why this is?

The technical aspect was increasingly displaced by the content of the photo. I started thinking less about shutter speeds and apertures and more about what am I going to photograph and how do I create a beautiful presentation. Then I also discovered the “triptych” to shape my ideas. Unfortunately, these are less represented at 1x.

 

'White Tent'

 

I have few works focussing on people. I am more introvert and that is reflected in my photography towards other people; I have little desire to intrude into their world. This is how I came to photographic themes such as architecture and sometimes landscape. This does not mean that other photographic subjects are not discussed.

 

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?

For me, all aspects in a photo are important. An image must have a certain technical value, it can/must tell something, but giving the image its own individuality is my greatest pursuit at the moment. Going beyond pure registration…

 

Describe your overall photographic vision.

Digital image editing gives me, as a photographer, a range of options to create my own images from my recordings. The photographer becomes like the painter or sculptor. He can form his own interpretation of reality. This idea is currently my biggest motivation for photography. I choose my subject, but at the same time I link my idea to the post-processing of it.

 

Can you please tell us something more about your workflow from the idea to the final product?

I prefer to have a photo on paper as a final product that can be exhibited somewhere. It is perhaps a shame that many beautiful images do not evolve further than their digital file.

 

Where do you look to find inspiration and what inspires you the most?

I find the most inspiration in modern architecture; Through various channels such as the internet, literature, fellow photographers (many on photo sites such as 1x) and also through coincidental discoveries on a trip or trip, I discover interesting subjects that I want to put in front of my own  lens.

 

Many are of the opinion that the gear is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. However, can you please share with us what gear you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?

I belong to the large group of photographers who believe that, as long as you have access to what you need photographically, equipment does not play such a major role. The photographer creates the image and not the device. Currently I use a 10 year old Canon 6D , a Canon lens L 24-105 (f4), Canon telephoto lens 70-300 and later supplemented with a Canon lens L 16-35. For easy portability, I also have a Canon M100 and of course I can't forget my cell phone, my Pixel 6 has already produced many beautiful images.

 

What would be your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.

I don't like to talk about my favourite photo. All my images have their meaning and take me back in the past to its recording and editing…
If I were to highlight one, it would be “Harbour”.

 

'Harbour'

 

This image is one of my first “total” photo edits and for me it forms an alienating image of a place so familiar to me, the port of Blankenberge (Belgium).

 

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your photography?

My work is not influenced by one or a few photographers, but by the large number of photos I have seen over the years. In addition to exhibitions, photo sites such as 1x have brought the world of photography to everyone who is interested. In this way, interest and inspiration grows.

 

Now, since we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would kindly ask you to share with us your plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

I hope to continue practising my photography for as long as possible. Large projects are no longer in the queue.

 

Is there anything else you wish to add  and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?

What has been disturbing me over the last year is the AI. Where will this take us? The machine creates the image, the text, the music… As photographers, are we going to resist this digital violence as much as possible or should we embrace it, as we did years ago with digital photography? A question that concerns us all but certainly myself and to which I have not yet found an answer.

 

'Windows 10'

 

 

'Agora 01'

 

 

'Vroenhoven Bridge'

 

 

'Colorful Facade'

 

 

'Labyrint'

 

 

'Cube Houses Star'

 

'Reitdiephaven'

 

 

'Reina Sofia 01'

 

 

'Tate 01'

 

 

'Steps and Lines'

 

 

'Reina Sofia 03'

 

'Yellow and Blue'

 

 

'Tower II'

 

 

'Almere WTC Martinez 1'

 

 

'Scottish Rainbow'

 

 

'Poste de secours 02'

 

 

'Tulpen 05'

 

 

'I don't care'

 

Write
Brilliant photographs.
Love your work Eric. You have a amazing portfolio which inspire me very much. Thank you for sharing. And thanks to Yvette to publish this article with beautiful photo's.
Bedankt Greetje voor deze lovende reactie. Groetjes Eric.
Thanks, Greetje ;-)
Impressionist Photography

by Editor Colin Dixon 
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 15 March 2024

 

'Dancing Trees' by Nel Talen

 

Impressionist photography is a term used to describe the work of photographers who evoke the pictorial vision of Impressionism and turn it into photography using their camera almost as a paintbrush.
Painterly or Abstract images that draw the viewer in, impressionism is a way of seeing and engaging the viewer in the interpretation of the subject and mood. You can say that the primary aim of impressionist photography is expressing the effect of light, movement and colour upon the objects in the scene. Impressionist photographs lead us on a journey and evoke feelings. We don't want to make a document of a subject; instead, we aim to make a photograph that viewers will respond to emotionally. It is a way of seeing, thinking, feeling and reacting to what is in front of us.

This can be achieved in Camera or of course in Photo editing software.

In camera we can use :

ICM (Intentional Camera Movement)
Multiple exposures in Camera or in software
Long exposures to create movement etc. 
Zooming during the exposure
Very low depth of field selective focus
Lens blurring using materials, gels or vaseline on a lens
Tilt shift effects either via a dedicated lens or taking your lens off the camera and holding it in front.

These are just a few of the techniques available to us.

In Photoshop there are many techniques we can use to create a painterly impressionistic photograph.

Blurring effects
Textures.
Layering images with a slight shift of position on each layer
Plugins that will produce the effect you need for your pictures

 

One thing that is important is that you must use the normal techniques of composition, exposure and in some cases focus even though your intention is not to produce a sharp image. The other important factors are light and dark high contrast and colour contrast to bring the image to life and finally shapes to draw the viewer in. 

Below we can see the wonderful work of the amazing artists in our community here on 1x. Inspiration for us all.

 

'Speed train' by Carmine Chiriaco

 

 

'Inoculation' by Gilbert Claes

 

 

'Passengers in time' by Fadwa Rouhana

 

 

n/t by Ibrahim Nabeel

 

 

'Impressionism of a face' by Natalia

 

 

'Winter scene' by Milan Malovrh

 

 

'Cherry blossom' by Martina Stutz

 

 

'Cuba' by The Jar – Geir Jartveit

 

 

'By the sea' by Jacqueline van Bijnen

 

 

'York minster at night' by aRRO

 

 

'The train' by Lou Urlings

 

 

'Autumn walk' by Liliane Lathouwers

 

 

'Green Leaves' by Elena Arjona

 

 

'Closeness' by Roxana Labagnara

 

 

'Dance of Fire' by Aliza Riza

 

Write
Fantastic collection, colors that capture
Stunning collection
Lovely photo collection, well done Colin and Yvette
Fantastic photo! Congratulatios!
Many thanks dear Yvette and Colin
Our pleasure, Fadwa !!!
Marvelous compositions, exceptional colors, thank you for sharing
I absolutely love these kind of images, the collection selected is amazing.Thank you and congratulations for this article and the superb pictures!❤️
Wonderful collection of impressionist photography! I think New impressionist photography can absorb the essence of Impressionist painting and other left-leaning modern art schools. New impressionist photography will attract more audiences and adds beauty to the public in the trivial and boring daily life, and adds a little romantic and idealistic light to the ordinary real life.
Practice of new impressionism photography https://1x.com/forum/photography/practice-of-new-impressionism-photography-55168184 Theory of new Impressionist photography https://1x.com/forum/photography/theory-of-new-impressionist-photography
New Impressionist photography can absorb the essence of impressionist painting and other left-leaning schools of modern art. In the photography exploration, the new Impressionist photography is mainly based on the Impressionist pictorial photography theme plus the form of abstract photography, surreal photography and other modern schools of photography. New impressionist photography believes that photography should serve the public aesthetic, photography works spread emotional beauty while having some form of beauty that may be more modern interesting. The photographer's brain is a complex network composed of hundreds of millions of neurons. Photographer empathy for flowers and birds and human being. Their motions are expressed in photos. In addition to the theme content, photos also have a complex network formed by the combination of color, light and shadow, dots, lines and surfaces. The photographer's consciousness determines the choice of the subject, and the subconscious mind determines the formal composition of the complex network combined with dots, lines and planes in the photo. When the network motif, paradigm or mathematical expressions in the photos are the same and similar to the mold, paradigm or mathematical curve of the audience, the brain neural network of the audience thus produces resonance and resonance. The theme elements of the photo activate the audience's consciousness through association, and the form of the photo activate the audience's subconscious through the abstract form or fuzzy dream form. New impressionist photography adds beauty to the public in the trivial and boring daily life, and adds a little romantic and idealistic light to the ordinary real life.
New impressionist photography can absorb the essence of Impressionist painting and other left-leaning modern art schools. In terms of emotional expression, large proportionlly expresses the rationality of the subject through the photographic works, while the remaining small proportion expresses the cognition, thoughts, emotions and emotions of the photographer subject stimulated by association and subconscious mind. In the process of exploration, the new impressionist photography is mainly based on the impressionist pictorial photography, abstract photography, surreal photography and other modern genres. There have been many photographic works about thematic and surreal, but thematic and abstract works are still worth exploring. In abstract photography, the layout of the geometric space of light and shadow, color blocks, dots, lines and surfaces can form a contrast, balance, and order based on the gestalt psychology. The change in the number of geometry of dots, lines and planes can form an abstract beauty similar to music. Few of the same geometry show a strong contrast of rhythm. A large number of the same geometric rhythm shows the contrast of the slow rhythm. A small number of different geometry form a big tune of the grand melody. A large number of points, lines and surfaces form a complex network and the occurrence of the geometric form arithmetical sequence, geometric series, Fibonacci sequence, etc., so as to show the soft beauty of minor tones. New impressionist photographer feels the picture of flowers, birds and human emotions, and empathizes with animals, plants and human beings. Through Impressionist themes, and forms of abstract photography and surreal forms, it activates the audience's subconscious and arouses resonance.
Beautiful creations, love the techniques used
Bellissimo articolo, veramente molto interessante. Scelte delle fotografie è eccezionale. Grazie!
Good summary of the techniques and beautiful collection of images, very inspiring!
Very nice graphics...
Poetic impressive collection of work. Thank you for sharing.
I am a big fan of impressionism. Thank you very much, Colin and Yvette... for placing one of my impressionist works in this wonderful frame. Warmest regards.
Colin's choice and good one, Gilbert !!! ;-)
Fantàstic. Un univers de possibilitats i emocions. Un ball per als sentits en una explosió de color i moviment.
Wonderful collection of photographs and a very inspiring article. Compliment to Colin and Yvette 👍
Especially to Colin, dear Annie! Thanks my friend.
What a feast for the eyes and soul - thank you
I am very honored, thank you Colin and Yvette
Thanks for your appreciation, Jacqueline !
Thanks Colin and Yvette for a very interesting article and for a fabulous collection of photographs!
Thank you, Jane !!! All credits go to Colin ;-)
Congratulations to all the photographers and especially to the Editor Colin Dixon and Yvette Depaepe!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much Alfredo.
Very nice and most inspiring article, Colin. Great choice of images too. Thank you so much!
Thank you :)
Thanks a lot for selecting my photo Colin en Yvette!
Perfect for this article, Nel ;-)
Wonderful collection of art, thanks Yvette, Colin!
All credits go to Colin. Thanks for your appreciation, Peter!
Love all those impresionistic photography. Thanks a lot for this beautiful series Colin. It works very inspiring.
Thank you I agree very inspirational something I like to do but not to this level yet glad to have inspired you to.
Thanks so much Yvette and Colin, very interesting article.
Thank you so much Carmine
Thank you so much for selecting my photo for the article - Impressionist photography
No problem :) a great photograph Aliza
Results Contest 'Umbrellas'

by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 13th of March 2024

 

'Umbrellas' ...
Why are they so photogenic. For sure, they enhance your street photographs. They make ordinary scenes much more interesting because of their shape, colour, juxtaposition and the ability to engage viewers imagination (what does that person's head looks like under there?) 
Admire the many beautiful submissions ...

 

The winners with the most votes are: 
1st place : Matthias Polakowski
2nd place : Hans Günther
3rd place : Adolfo Urrutia

Congratulations to the winners and honourable mentions and thanks to all the participants in the contest 'Umbrellas'

 


The currently running theme is 'Screens rule the world'.
They have become seamlessly integrated in our daily lives. 
A world without screens, mobiles, tablets, computers has become unthinkable. But it also reduced greatly our social contacts. Show it in your photographs.

This contest will end on Sunday the 24th of March at midnight.
The sooner you upload your submission the more chance you have to gather the most votes.
If you haven't uploaded your photo yet, click here

Good luck to all the participants.

 

 


1st place by Matthias Polakowski

 

 

2nd place by Hans Günther

 

 

3rd place by Adolfo Urrutia
 
 
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
 
by Luciano Caturegli

 
 
by DDiArte

 
 
by Martin Kucera AFIAP AZSF

 
 
by Renate Reichert

 
 
by Thierry Lagandré (Transgressed Light)

 
 
by Uschi Hermann

 
 
by SaraaBahari
 
 
You can see the names of the TOP 50 here.  

The contests are open to everybody except to crew members.

Submitting images already published / awarded on 1x is allowed.

AI. GENERATED IMAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED.
Write
Such an amazing diversity, splendid story telling images.Congratulations!❤️
such a mive sellection of umbrellas!!
Thank you, dear friends. Always a surprise to admire the submissions. Love your golden umbrella ;-)
My favorite is No 4, but all are excellent, accept my congratulations
I agree, Miro. Many of these winning images are not in the portfolios, so I cannot use them as a banner ;-)
Nice Selection.
Thank, Lus !
Adam Neuba - Experimental minimal Art

 

by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 11th of March 2024

 

To Adam Neuba, photography is like an 'undiscovered country'. Developing a photographic scene from scratch, building it up or staging a familiar motif in a new way and capture it with the camera is simply a great feeling. Adam is fascinated by the creative work with light and the unique effect of this medium on a well thought-out, minimalist motif. Discover his unique world through this interview and learn more about this fine artist...

 

'Solitaire'

Briefly tell us about yourself, your hobbies and other jobs/ What first attracted you to photography?

My photographic journey began about 15 years ago, when my daughter was born. Naturally, I took lots of photos and found joy in photography. For a long time I was more of a "casual snapper" with no particular focus. I tried out many genres, some landscape and architecture photography. But what bothered me about this type of photography was that you always had to be on the move to find good motifs. And that's how I got into macro photography, which I can do also at home whenever I have time. But unfortunately, "classic" macro photography only aroused my enthusiasm for a short time, because at that point I had already decided to try something new and unconventional. And with "Lost in Space", after a lot of thinking and experimental working, I took my first picture, with which I was able to occupy a photographic niche.

Professionally, I have a doctorate in chemistry and work as a scientist at a university. As a father of three children, I don't have much time for other things besides photography. I'm a real family person, so spending time with my family is very important to me. I also do some sport, but I'm also interested in politics, art and science.

 

'Lost In Space'

Describe your overall photographic vision.
For me, photography is like the "undiscovered country". Every picture, with every insect or other motif, is an individual piece and always confronts me with new challenges that have to be solved. Basically, my image ideas are almost always driven by the challenge of photographing something new or showing a different perspective or level of representation of a perhaps already well-known motif.  Developing a photographic scene from scratch, building it up or staging a familiar motif in a new way and then capturing it with the camera is simply a great feeling. But I am also fascinated by the creative work with light and the unique effect of this medium on a well thought-out, minimalist motif.  

 

'kosmos'

 

'The Frog'

 

 

'Balanced'

Why are you so drawn by creatively edited photography / Nature meets technics especially?

First of all “Nature meets Technics“ is simply the result of intensive empirical attempts to develop and present something new in the field of close-up photography. I think, the photographs of this series combine many fundamental aspects of photography that are crucial for a good picture. Above all, however, the theme of "nature vs. technology" is of current interest and touches people. The pictures show a strong contrast in terms of content and theme as well as photographically, whereat the clarity and order of the motifs with defined lines and shapes play a special role. So targeted digital post-processing allows me to create the final shape of my artistic photographic vision of the piece. The adjustments in the areas of light, shadow and contrast are consistently aimed at lending the work my personal way of seeing, as well as at amplifying the desired impact on the beholder. This step enables me as an artist to find full expression creatively and freely, completely independently of the practical limitations that sometimes come to bear in the real world of close-up photography.

 

'The very hungry caterpillar'

 

 

'The Jumper'

 

 

'The house spider'

 

'Curved'

 

What gear do you use (camera, lenses, bag)?/ What software do you use to process your images?

I have a lot of equipment for the practical realisation of my ideas, such as various tripods, lifting devices, self-made diffusers, tweezers, but also simple things like wooden wedges and small and large spirit levels. In the meantime, however, many components made of stainless steel and aluminium have accumulated and new ones are constantly being added. But the most important thing is the lighting. Sometimes I work with up to five LED lamps at the same time, because there always has to be enough light to illuminate all the elements of a scene. I currently shoot my photos with the Nikon D850 and the Nikon 60 mm micro lens. I mainly use Lightroom and Photoshop for image editing.

 

Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph? / Can you tell us something more about your work flow?

When I have an idea for a picture, many things happen in my head at first. I plan the photo in detail, think about how I can realise it and can already see what the picture might look like in the end. I also have to take practical things into account here, because the more time you invest in good preparation, the easier it is to realise the photo. Stainless steel is also particularly tricky to photograph because it often creates harsh light reflections and looks different depending on the light setting. Perspective is also very important, and it takes a lot of time to find the right angle to photograph the metal part and the animal as a harmonious unit. Light and perspective are therefore the most important design elements in my type of photography. Working with diffusers (sometimes one behind the other) is fundamental here in order to achieve a soft light and minimise harsh reflections.

Once the setting has been determined, I slowly approach the insect, position it and photograph it from different perspectives. Then I look at the initial results and decide what I need to change or optimise. As some insects move around a lot and don't stay still the way I want them to as a photographer, it can take several evenings before I get the photo I want, depending on the insect. Here too, you have to develop strategies as to when the best time is to photograph the animals. I make sure that I don't work with the insects for too long at a time, because they react very sensitively to stress and good pictures are then hardly possible. But very often the right insect isn't there, so I have to look for it or put a project on hold for the time being. I therefore often work on 2 or 3 projects at the same time.

The shooting is always an exciting moment because it shows whether all the plans actually lead to the desired result. However, you often have to adjust things spontaneously and creatively to get the desired image. At the end of each shoot, I usually end up with a selection of around 20 to 25 pictures, from which I choose one and then finalise it later on the computer.

 

'3 under the Cloud'

 

What is your most important advice to a beginner in creatively edited photography and how do you get started?

I am a flawless autodidact and believe that "learning by doing" is one of the best ways to improve yourself. Of course, this requires the courage to always critically analyse your own images and skills. This leads to an empirical process in which your own photographic skills are always improved a little and ideally focused and optimised on a certain style. Patience and, of course, a high tolerance for frustration are also essential. Even today, I still look at the pictures from my first few years and think critically about what I could have done better. Such an analytical approach is also very useful for making specific work processes more efficient or optimising image processing.

 

'Linden Fruit'

 

 

'The Cosmic Game'

 

 

'Running Man'

 

Who are your favourite photographers and more importantly, how has your appreciation of their work affected how you approach your own photography? 

There were two artists who accompanied and inspired me early on in my photographic development. At first glance, it may seem to have nothing to do with close-up photography, but Frank Loddenkemper's  pictures, with their clear structure and lines as central elements as well as his excellent processing and emphasis of individual elements, had a particular influence on me. And when I think of fine art and macro photography, it's the artist Levon Biss (https://levonbissstudio.com/). He understands like no other how to use light as a medium and creative element alongside structure and colour.

 

'Golden Eye'

 

'Look'

 

 

'I see you'

 

Describe your favourite photograph taken by you and why it is special to you? 

Two years ago, "Lost in Thought" was a key experience for me as an experimental photographer and artist, showing me how I can realise my own visions with creativity, patience and perseverance. The picture shows one of my favourite motifs, the beautiful millipede Atopochetus dollfusi. As simple as the picture looks, the planning and realisation took a lot of effort and time.

 

'Lost In Thought'

 

 

'Walking on Saturn's Rings'

 

How has your history and life experiences affected your photography?

I think the artist and scientist in me are inseparably interwoven. Many aspects from both worlds are united in photography and enable me to take an alternative view of the world and to produce new links among elements of a scene. For many years, my principal task as an experimental chemist was virtually a passion: the design and synthesis of new bio-mimetic molecules inspired by nature. In photography, I create minimalist compositions using elements from nature and man-made technology. The two are united by an important aspect of my personality: the drive to creatively develop new things and realize them as tangible, visual objects comes from within me. 

 

'Watertanks'

 

 

'The Explorer'

 

Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any specific goals that you wish to achieve?

I will keep my creative-experimental style and also try to use new materials in my photography. Let's see where that takes me! As you can see I also enjoy creating minimalist still life photographs in black and white and still have a few ideas that I would like to realise.


Is there anything else you wish to add and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?

When I came across 1x for the first time I just thought: Wow! what great artists and fantastic pictures! For me 1x is a pool full of inspiration and a great way to discover ideas and images from photographers from all over the world, but also to share my images with them. It is a great honour and pleasure for me that my pictures are shown here on 1x and that I was able to give the interview.

 

'In The Lab'

 

 

Write
Mastering the light and the story telling, wonderful approach and outstanding results!Congratulations, dear Adam!
I love your approach of merging nature with (mostly) harsh man made objects. So very creative and your images are beautifully executed.
Thank you all for your comments and appreciation!
great works.
Wow one of the best features I've seen on 1x
Awesome images! Congrats Adam
Amazing work. Congrats Adam...
Yesssss! Finally a different approach to macro! Congratulations!
Wonderful images, stunning work, I like very much. Congratulations Adam !!!
so different and unique! really outstanding, congratulations.
The combination of metal (I assume it is brushed stainless steel in each case) and nature is extremely unusual - especially as it simply does not occur in nature. But these extravagant, spectacular and technically brilliant photos show in a wonderful way just how aesthetic this artificial combination can be! Great idea(s) and realization!
Great images. Thanks for sharing.
Stunning images! Poetic, original, excellent compositions!
Some excellent and inspiring images. Thanks for sharing!
Haiku and photography?

By Editor Wicher Bos 
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 8th of March 2024

 

'Daydream' by TORU MATSUNAGA

 

We regularly visit the Japan Museum SieboldHuis at Leiden - a town in the Netherlands - it’s also a town with many wall poems, for instance this one, a Haiku.

 

To me, a haiku is a beautiful Japanese art form, although sometimes a bit mysterious. The poetic form emerged in Japan in the 17th century from older forms due to competition between several great poets. I must admit I can’t read the originals; I need English translations. This one was made by Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694) and R.H. Blyth gave us the English translation:

The rough sea -Extending toward Sado Isle, The Milky Way

 

“The haiku, in its classical form, expresses an instant experience, sometimes linked to, and inspired by Zen. The haiku is a thimble full of emotion, with little room for dissections and approximate descriptions.

 

The haiku is the result of careful observation and loving care. A haiku is not just a small poem in three lines with 5-7-5 syllables each, just as important is the wonder and amazement that it expresses. Reading haiku means experiencing the impressions, the atmosphere, and the feelings of the haiku moment. Haiku shouldn't need much explanation nor intellectual interpretation.”

 

The above explanation of what a Haiku poem in essence is, gave me an association with photography. Aren’t photographers often trying to do make a very similar image, capturing an instant moment, conveying an intense emotion? It seems that in a haiku the composition is very strict yet subordinated to expression. We all know in photography if the expression is forcible enough, it might absorb the viewer to the extent of making him unconscious of the composition.

 

Sigismund Blumann (1872-1956) was an American photographer widely known in California during the 1920s and 30s wrote in 1931 (Camera Craft): “The Japanese… do not see prosaically but with soulful eyes that find music in lines, poetry in masses, and a glory in colors to which we are often blind.”

 

My next reflection was the work of Japanese photographers like Shomei Tomatsu (1930-2012) and the Are Bure Bokeh movement. I always found their work a bit inaccessible. Now I started think about it in the same way as if it were a haiku: an intense moment and full of emotion.
Can photography be a kind of haiku?
I feel like some images may well be that because of the content.

Let me prove it to you with my pick from the 1X image vault. My “Haiku” photos.

 

'Rain' by Yusuke Sakai

 

 

n/t by Yusuke Sakai

 

 

'Shibuya,Tokyo' by Tatsuo Suzuki

 

 

'Shibuya,Tokyo' by Tatsuo Suzuki

 

 

'Shibuya,Tokyo' by Tatsuo Suzuki

 

 

'Last sad portrait...' by Teruhiko Tsuchida

 

 

'Why don’t you come in ?' by Teruhiko Tsuchida

 

 

'Japanese fireflies' by Daniel Kordan

 

 

'The Japanese Tree' by Javier de la Torre

 

 

'Snow Dance' by Harry Eggens

 

 

'BBLUE' by KEN-ICHI IINØ

 

 

'THE INTENT-WEAVING SPIDER' by KEN-ICHI IINØ

 

 

'Point' by Koji Sugimoto

 

 

'Fish' by Koji Sugimoto

 

 

'Entrance' by Keiichiro Amenomori

 

 

'Kawaki' by Keiichiro Amenomori

 

 

'Awakening' by David Dhaen

 
You can probably find more examples using the keyword #japanese.



Can photography be a kind of Haiku? What is your answer to this question?

I have tried to show my answer. What association do you feel with these images? If you have other examples, please feel free to share your opinion even if you completely disagree with these ideas... I love the hear them.

 

Good Light to all,
Wicher


Ref:
https://www.sieboldhuis.org/en/about/sieboldhuis
https://muurgedichten.nl/en

 

Write
"Haiku images" are like a thrill, an emotional impact that makes you reflect on what you see and come back.I love this articlle, great idea, the pictures are splendid.Thank you and congratulations!❤️
Haiku reflects a deep story within each person's heart within a limited amount of text. I don't know enough about haiku to talk about it, but photos may be similar to haiku. I would be happy if my works could also reflect a story in the hearts of those who view them. Thank you very much!
Wicher you brought interesting subject with wonderful photos. Until now I was aware about Haiku link to Poetry, not to photography. However thank you for very interesting article and also for the wonderful photos. Have a nice Sunday.
Thanks Miro!
Wicher, Thank you for the article and an excellent choice of photos. Recently found a quote that applies to haiku and photography - and perhaps all forms of art. "The haiku that reveals seventy or eighty percent of its subject is good. The haiku that reveals just fifty or sixty percent is brilliant." . . . Matsuo Bashõ
Thanks Steven for your kind words and that marvelous quote
Just SPLENDID! Both photos and text! Congratulations s@
Thx!
Good point, these images are haiku kind pictures to me, have a sense that can be felt and understood in one's heart.
thx!
Thanks for picking up Japanese culture. I completely agree with you that the photography and haiku share many things. We need to capture many aspects and meanings with less in the limited frame in the photography, and haiku also has severe limitations on how many letters you can use. But I never thought this before and this article was a new finding to me.
🙏
No doubt, the Japanese photography is somehow special. Yes, maybe the photos are „different“ from what we show in our photos or from what we expect on the first glimpse. I think that it is this „difference“that makes those photos touching and special. And yes, I like them as they stand out from the daily flood of photos and images. If we take a little bit of time to appreciate the photos, they are indeed mostly associated with feelings and are often telling wonderful stories. But all of that wants to be discovered.
🙏😀
私は日本人ですが、俳句の事についてはそれほど詳しくはないです。昔から日本人は、全てを説明するのではなく、言葉と言葉の間に意味を探します。Wicherの言う通り、日本人の写真は俳句的なのかもしれません。
Thank you so much for confirming my feelings about Japanese photography that I admire a lot... let me provide the english translation of your remark for others: I'm Japanese, but I don't know much about haiku. Japanese people have traditionally looked for meaning between words, rather than trying to explain everything. As Wicher says, Japanese photographs may be haiku-like.
However, it can also be said that they are completely different. Haiku often only has one interpretation. Some photographs taken by Japanese people leave interpretation to the viewer. It might be close to poetry.