Ephemeral Encounters

Every encounter with nature, as it is with human beings, is both unique and fleeting, and cannot be replicated even when seasons repeat. “Ichigo-ichie” (一期一会) is a Japanese philosophy that alludes to the same. It is attributed to the Japanese tea master, Sen-no-rikyu, who advised us to listen attentively to the sound of the bamboo whisk, savor the tea aromas, and observe the tea ceremony without distractions because the next tea ceremony will be different.

This concept is profoundly true for photography. The interplay of light and shadow changes with every passing moment, generating a distinct atmosphere. The morning mist thickens, takes on various forms or dissipates, transforming our perception of the landscape. We cannot dictate the sun, the clouds or the mist, but can only try to anticipate and respond to the scene that unfolds before our eyes. All moments are transient and each image becomes a unique record of their brilliance.