# Wabi-Sabi, Asymmetry, and Framing in Japanese Aesthetics (+revised) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** landscape, plant-life, intimate\ **Created:** [October 27, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745 "2026-10-27T18:21:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/1 "2026-10-27T18:21:50Z")
## Revised Version ### Revision 1 (latest) ![Revision 1 - IMG5DMarkIV_2382NPN3MB-NPN2Meg-3.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/c/5/c5be635db2f6966e9a15232686300b4c726c8fc7.jpeg) **What changed:** Healed over some distracting light bits and burned upper left corner. _Added after receiving feedback from the community._ * * * ## Original Version ![Original - IMG5DMarkIV_2380NPN3MB-NPN2Meg-2.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/1/317372307901161d9af462edf0b3dfac446f6739.jpeg) _Maple with Rock_ ![Maple Framing Flat Garden](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/f/f/fff6866d79a582b6b15735d1a980265eb89c902a.jpeg) _Maple Framing Flat Garden_ **Critique Style:** In-Depth The photographer is looking for deeper feedback connected to their intent, creative direction, and specific questions. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic / Expressive ### What I’m Trying to Express or Explore I have been enamored with the Portland Japanese Garden for decades, and this year, at Igor Doncov’s suggestion, I’m exploring how to apply Japanese Aesthetics to my photography there. I shared a set of images using the muted color palette of traditional Japanese painting a few days ago. You can see those here: [Traditional Japanese Muted Color Schemes](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/traditional-japanese-muted-color-schemes/52714) Now I’m sharing a couple of images with some of the other principles of Japanese Aesthetics: wabi-sabi, asymmetry, and framing a scene. These two images were made with the intention of exploring how asymmetry and imperfection in the leaves/trunks can still create a sense of balance or harmony between different elements. The hard/soft, rock/plant, near/far elements, impermanence, along with asymmetry and organic imperfections are connected to what both destabilizes and balances us. It’s the wabi-sabi of real life. ### Where Feedback Would Help Most As always, I’m open to any and all feedback. In particular, with these two, I’m wondering the following: 1. Aside from the subject matter itself (clearly Japanese maples), do these photographs have a more Japanese aesthetic than some of my other work? 2. Of the two images, does one seem more successful considering my vision? In other words, does one have a more uniquely oriental art feeling than the other? 3. Is there anything about my approach here that feels like a traditional Western Landscape approach that undermines my efforts to apply Japanese aesthetic principles? As always, I appreciate the time it takes to offer critique. Please know I value it greatly. ML ### Technical Details Canon 5D4 with 24-105 at 105mm and 93mm respectively ISO 200, f/20 for the first, f/5 for the second (might have been better to do the opposite?), 1 sec and 1/15sec ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/2 "2026-10-27T20:54:52Z")
I like the flow of the colors and the path my eye follows in both of these images, Marylynne. As far as your questions go, I have to admit to a blissful ignorance of almost any school of art, so I can’t help you there. ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/3 "2026-10-27T21:43:51Z")
Hi Dennis, Glad the eye path is working. Yeah, I realize my questions assume some things. But really, I’m wondering whether they feel less like traditional landscapes from the Western tradition (whether it be painters or photographers). Does it feel like a different approach? I guess I might still be begging the question though: do American and Western European nature photography have a set of aesthetic values different from Japan’s, or are we all perhaps doing a variety of things that makes such a question simplistic? ML ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/4 "2026-10-27T22:31:30Z")
I was wondering much the same thing. I do understand that there are/were “schools” of art that followed pretty strict guidelines both in eastern and western art, but I suspect that these days that’s pretty much gone by the wayside except for a few die-hards that insist it’s not art if it doesn’t follow a specific set of rules and techniques. A large part of those “schools” that we look back on now may have been due to the materials and processes that were being used rather than by intention (e.g. watercolors don’t lend themselves to highly saturated images). But take all that with a bucket of salt, because I’ve never studied art or the history thereof. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/system/32/86481_2.png) [@system](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/5 "2026-10-28T17:29:21Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/6 "2026-10-28T17:42:17Z")
I really like the effect of bringing down that upper left corner, Marylynne. Great job on that revision. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 3:11am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/7 "2026-10-29T03:11:26Z")
Hi Marylynne, I certainly do not think of myself as qualified to comment on other styles of art other than to say that sometimes they move me and other times they do not. In this day and age I think a lot of photography today is a big melting pot and sometimes a blending of styles. I do know that I like both of these images you posted for varying reasons. For me the first is all about the delicate nature of the maple leaves juxtaposed against the unyielding nature of the BG rocks. The contrast of warm and cool tones also works as well. The second one is more about a left to right movement or flow with the graceful arching limbs reinforced by the implied motion of the BG sand. In many ways this reminds me of Asticou Gardens in Southwest Harbor, ME. Your revision on the second one is spot on for my tastes. I hope that makes sense and I apologize if that was not what you were asking. ---
**Author:** ![Igor\_Doncov](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/igor_doncov/32/579_2.png) [@Igor\_Doncov](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Igor_Doncov)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 3:26am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/8 "2026-10-29T03:26:41Z")
I do think these have somewhat of a Japanese aesthetic to them. Particularly the 2nd image. However, I do think the bright reds above draw attention away from the ‘frame’ below, which I think is the main subjects. I tried to make those reds more like the ones on the right but was unsuccessful. That’s what I would go for. By now you must be on the way to Yosemite. It should be a great outing. Wishing you a good time. ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/9 "2026-10-29T04:10:00Z")
Thanks Igor. I was trying to separate the variable of color from that of composition in my exploration of this concept. Of course, that’s kind of impossible. Take a look at my other post on muted colors to see how I played with that element of Japanese aesthetics, kind of shooting for that 19thC painting style. ML p.s. I take it you decided not to go to Yosemite. I am flying down Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 4:16am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wabi-sabi-asymmetry-and-framing-in-japanese-aesthetics-revised/52745/10 "2026-10-29T04:16:36Z")
Thanks @Ed_Lowe and @Dennis_Plank . I think #2 works much better now also. And Ed: I like reading your descriptions of each image because that allows me to see whether your words suggest that Japanese influence. No need for everyone to be familiar with Japanese aesthetics and artistic periods. Your interpreting the photographs helps me think it through. ML