Michael Kenna

[dooda]

I believe I just found my new favorite photographer. Don't know how well known he is, but I thought I would post his website here in case, he's made a significant impact on me.

Michael Kenna:
http://www.michaelkenna.net/

His Black and Whites somehow interact space and emptiness with his subjects with the most exquisite subtlety. This is the type of thing I strive for in many of my shots. This is very inspirational and zen like stuff. It moves me.

Check it out if you like peaceful Black and whites.

[Greg B]

Very Zen. He must have of them there black and white memory cards.

[stubbsy]

Dave

I've seen this work before and agree it uses minimalism beautifully. I visited his site thanks to someone previously posting a link to there from here, but can't remember much more.

[sirhc55]

Simple, beautiful and inspirational

[genji]

thanks for the link. very much like his work.
i was expecting photos of rock gardens!

interestingly...you say 'zen' is that because of his photography in Japan??

would u have still said 'zen' if he didnt have any photographs of japan but say landscape of USA? would the word 'minimalist' be used instead?

[dooda]

No. I actually started saying Zen when Matt K commented on one of my pics that is actually quite similar in feel to Kenna's work (obviously not nearly as good) using the word Zen and I felt like it was a word that best associated what I try and achieve in similar black and whites.

Interestingly enough, and whether I'm right or not I have no claim; but I actually don't really associate Zen with Japan as much as Tibet or India for some reason. You make an interesting comment though and I'm curious (not suspicious) of where your thoughts were going with it.

[boxerboy]

I like some of those power station photos (there's plenty to choose from). I'm quite interested in industrial type shots.

[genji]

Interestingly enough, and whether I'm right or not I have no claim; but I actually don't really associate Zen with Japan as much as Tibet or India for some reason. You make an interesting comment though and I'm curious (not suspicious) of where your thoughts were going with it.

my own understanding...
i think the term zen originally refers to a sect of buddhist monks from japan. they built 'rock gardens; to symbolist their philosophy. 'rock gardens' are suppose to symolise the universe or nature. there is nothing natural about rock gardens, except for the materials used.
therefore i see zen as space that is man made to symoblise a greater abstract and spiritual idea. ie buildings and public spaces.

i was initially interested in seeing Kenna's work was because of your description of his photography.
on seeing his 'recent' work in japan, i thought typical, u used a word associated with the location.

however, I'm glad there are not any photos of rock gardens!

I agree his work has zen qualities, althought they are photos of the landscape, they are not of grand vistas typically associated with landscape work. he concentrates on details in the landscape, vignettes that suggest something greater.

[dooda]

Well put and thanks for the thoughtful reply. I thought that Zen was more a term to describe the interaction of shapes be they manipulated by man or nature creating a sense of spirituality. I honestly didn't know that it referred to manipulated human space.