The Sublime (quick thoughts)

I am very much interested in the sublime, that is what much of my photography is about. My vision is that if we are to prosper, whether as individuals or as a society, we must be exposed to the sublime. For it is this that elevates our spirits and makes life worth living. It is this that gives us joy, and it is the prospect of finding the sublime that makes me get up in the morning.

The term "sublime" is often used to describe something that is awe-inspiring, vast, or overwhelming, something that is extraordinarily or transcendently impressive. In art, the sublime is often associated with landscapes, natural phenomena, and other subjects that evoke a sense of grandeur and power.

Here are some key characteristics of the sublime:
• Emotional impact: Sublime works of art often evoke strong emotions in the viewer, such as awe, terror, or wonder.
• Scale and grandeur: Sublime art often deals with large and imposing subjects, such as mountains, storms, or the vastness of space.
• Complexity and mystery: Sublime art often contains elements of mystery and the unknown, which can heighten the emotional impact.

The sublime gives us a feeling of elation or exaltation almost beyond human comprehension. But I disagree that the sublime is found only in the grand, in the expanse. I see the sublime everywhere, including the apparently mundane tiny things around us. A fallen leaf, a blade of grass, even a pebble lying on the ground, if closely observed can reveal a universe of detail and pattern that is awe inspiring. The small can be enormous.

If by looking at one of my photographs you get even a tinge of this, I will have been successful.