Everywhere you look in Chinatown, the space is filled. There is little open space. Signs fill the streets, people fill the sidewalks, goods fill the shop windows and cram the shelves.
In some ways, it seems there is this amazing sense of abundance. There is so much of everything. I tried to capture it with my camera, filling the frame so that there was no beginning or end.
But in the end, the abundance rings hollow. It is not true abundance, the kind that fills your heart with lasting joy. It is only a lot of stuff, adding a momentary blip of gratification and then quickly forgotten.
Perhaps that’s why I like photographing places so much. I can create a memory of my experience in a place, with no “stuff” attached to fill my space. My photographs bring me lasting joy with a never-ending supply of new images to create. That’s true abundance.
My new class, A Sense of Place, starts this Sunday, April 8. Tomorrow is the last day to register. Visit here to learn more about the class and registration. I’d love to have you join me to discover your own Sense of Place.
Those cats make me smile with their paws all waving!! I love your thought of capturing things in a photo and not having the “stuff” to clutter! I need to think this way more often! I so wish I could take your “Places” class, but things just didn’t work out for me this time! I hope (fingers crossed) that you’ll give the class again!! I’m enjoying your photos of China town!! A “place” I’ll never be able to visit in person!!
I will teach the class again! Think about next year… 🙂
It’s funny, I was thinking about the clutter of unnecessary “stuff” even while admiring your photos. I especially like the stack of t-shirts.
Best of luck with your class! I know your students will be in for a treat. As for me, I’ll be busy packing up and moving across the country. Then I’ll have a whole new place to discover with my camera.
Good luck with the move! Exciting and overwhelming at the same time, I’m sure. It will be fun to see you exploring a new place!
I love the close up shot of the little buddhas.