- Artist’s Statement
What can one photograph when unable to see human faces and expressions? Since the pandemic’s beginning, I have struggled to find meaning when photographing humans wearing masks. So, in the summer of 2021, I decided to shift my focus away from my street photography work, hoping to explore a completely different style of image-making. Using medium-format cameras, I began making meditative, intimate images of nature and still life in or near my new home in Marin County, California. A selection of images from the resulting project is presented here. Spending many hours alone photographing these beautiful scenes has provided me with much-needed solace during these challenging times. I hope those who view this work might also benefit from these images in a small way. [End Page 244]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 245]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 246]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 247]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 248]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 249]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 250]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 251]
Click for larger view
View full resolution
[End Page 252]
olivier desmet is a Belgian photographer who explores the notion of Mono no Aware (a Japanese concept used to describe the beautiful transience of all things) through his black-and-white images. He released his first book in 2021 and is currently working on a new book on Tsukiji—Tokyo’s famed market and neighborhood—due out this spring.