In this small project, an attempt to take away from the text of the Tao Te Ching (the author of which is traditionally considered Lao Tzu) Those thoughts and conditions that may be useful for all creative people in general and for photographers in particular. Of course, this ancient Chinese treatise did not say anything about photography, or about fotoremesle. However, the picture has long been part of many lives. And about what, how about Life, tells this ancient book?
When reading, remember that in many cases the ancient texts can not be interpreted unambiguously. Therefore, any proposed treatment will be very imperfect. The author of these lines of least would like to see this attempt resembled a funny opus “Russia – the native land of elephants.” It is therefore important to understand that the purpose of this publication is not a complete transfer of information, in an attempt to induce the reader to independent reading and deep comprehension of books about the movement and Virtue (one possible translation of hieroglyphs: Tao Te Ching).
All quotes (except specified otherwise) were taken from the text of the Tao Te Ching translated Yang Shun Hing. Rooms that are listed at the end of paragraphs in brackets are references to chapters of the text.
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1. Picture, which can be expressed through visual images, is not the true picture. The true picture – this is what leads to a picture, or what remains in the subject after viewing the photographic image. Only he who is free from passions, is able to see the wonderful mystery of photography. (1)
2. We should not shun the ugly and avoid it, because the beautiful and ugly is continuously transformed into each other and generate each other. This is the basis of harmony. “When everyone in China know that the beautiful is beautiful, and there is ugly.” (2)
3. Lean back and survey impartial criticism. She, too – just need the opposite. Not a bad consolation for the newcomers, just embarked on the path of truth contained in the poems of Robert Burns:
I shake the hands of fools with both hands:
How many, in fact we are indebted to them!
After all, if it had not had other fools
That would be a fool ourselves.
(Translation: S. Marshak) (2)
4. Avoid idle clicking the shutter. If you can not remove – do not remove! Each photo should appear in the result of a complete inability to refrain from shooting. “Sovershennomudry, making the case, prefer inaction.” (2)
5. Looking for a quantity. Let your work will not be enough, but the quality is great. Critical attitude to the flow of his creativity. Feel free to submit most of their creations in the wastebasket. Breaks from work. Do not spare the time for reflection on and build a new one. “It is better to do nothing than to strive to make something to fill … If anything sharp at all times to use, it can not long preserve its sharpness.” (9)
6. Do not live old projects. Move on. “When it is completed, the person should be removed. In this law of the heavenly Tao. (9)
7. If the survey provides you with the effort – not persist! Postpone the project. Try to rethink it. Labored result often is no good. Implementing your plans, you should, “setting in motion, not to make this effort.” (10)
8. In addition to photos of the author’s thoughts should be fairly and emptiness. This void allows the viewer to invent their own papers. It will make the perception is not so straightforward, and will bring to the creation of many shades and nuances. “Out of the clay vessels are doing, but the use of vessels depends on the voids in them.” (11)
9. The photographs should not be anything extra. “The five colors dull eyes.” (12)
10. The secret of photography is not that it displays, but the fact that the author was able to see and that could see the audience. “I look at it and do not see, so call it invisible.” (14)
11. Do not consider the ideas contained in any photograph, most of the photography. In the picture there is nothing but this image. “When were the sophistication, and there was great hypocrisy.” (18)
12. Picture Title – a language label. This picture exists outside the text context. “We need to talk less, follow a natural.” (23)
13. Do not use force to achieve fame. “Who himself praises, he did not extract it. (24)
14. Do not rest on our laurels, improve, because: “Knowing the people wisely, knowing yourself enlightened. He who overcomes the people was strong. He who overcomes himself is mighty. “(33)
15. The deliberate introduction of something foreign in photographic images are often doomed to failure. And the failure of this attempt more significant than the more pervasive is the introduction. “… The real truth is similar to its lack of … you can not hear a strong sound, great image has no form. Tao is hidden and has no name. But it can help all beings and bring them to perfection. ” (41)
16. Any art – is the search for measures and compliance measures. Works of art can not add anything, as one can not take away anything from him. “Who knows the measure of that will not fail.” (44)
17. Striving for innovation should be preferred to the pursuit of naturalness. “Tao gives birth. De feeds. … Tao esteemed, Dae appreciate, because they do not give orders, and follows naturally. ” (51)
18. When photographing, keep in mind: coming from the heart is often superior to what comes from the mind. “Who has a perfect De, one similar to the newborn. … It is completely harmonious. ” (55)
19. He who knows does not photograph. Whoever photographed, does not know. (56)
20. Be improved gradually. Start small. Grand itself will come to you when the time comes. “Dealing with a difficult start with a light, exercise a great start with small, since the world’s hardest forms of light, and great – from the small. Therefore sovershennomudry begins not with the great, the way he did great. ” (63)
21. Do not look at there is no excuse, no source, no cause for creativity. “Action must begin with what is not yet.” (64)
22. Do not impose on other people to their worldview. Take time to self-improvement, not idle disputes. “Smart is no militant commander. Skilled warrior is never angry. ” (68)
23. Make no struggle with others, and the fact that you intended. “Tao of Heaven does not fight, but knows how to win.” (73)
24. Faithful photo is not graceful. Beautiful pictures are not credible. “Knowing does not prove that proves not know.” (81)