I've been exploring Wabi Sabi photography since Tim Hurson and team picked it as the theme for Mindcamp Canada 2018.  I enthusiastically explored the topic and was familiar with some of its aspects from photographic workshops that I've taken with Andre Gallant.

When Tim sent out the theme for this year, he also sent out a very interesting post by Mike Sturm about Wabi Sabi.  As I put things together I discovered a model that Mike proposed:  Quieting Your Mind, Understanding, Accepting, and Appreciating is what he put forward based upon the history of both Wabi and Sabi

As I was working with the group at Mindcamp, I put together some elaboration on how taking photos in a Wabi Sabi ways might be approached:

First:

Quiet Your Mind

I find this to be extremely important.  Do whatever it takes for you to truly have nothing on your mind except the present.  No preconceived notions.  No desire to get shots that you've seen others take in a similar situation.  This is all about being in the present and letting your mind be still as you observe the world around you.

Second:

Understand

Allow yourself to understand "what is" before you take a photograph.  This is all about truly seeing what is in front of you and not trying to perfect it.  Understanding might take a nanosecond OR it might take a long dwell time to really see what is there.  Resist the temptation to click right away.  Slow down.  Observe.  Try different approaches to see if you get a different understanding.

Third:

Accept

Accepting your understanding before you "click".  This might take some discipline since we love to click.  But resist temptation and take some time to understand and to accept it as is.  Notice what is not totally perfect and accept it "as is".

Understanding and accepting might happen in a fraction of a second.  Synapsis happen and connections are made.  Which leads to the next step.

Fourth:

Appreciate

Let your image speak to you.  Give yourself time for your image to speak.  And appreciate what your photo is saying to you.  About you.  About the situation.  About how you felt in the moment.  About your photography.  About yourself, in many different ways.

In Summary,

There is something special about Contemplative Photography.  There is something that is overlooked when you approach photograph with clicking away without looking, really looking at your world.  Wabi Sabi is all about seeing and observing and appreciating what is in front of you.  I find this to be extremely satisfying.  Especially when life is busy and balance seems to be out rather than in.  

Appendix:

I've read a number of articles about Wabi Sabi and also purchased a couple of books.  Two books that I would recommend are:

Adventures in Seeing:  How the Camera Teaches You to Pause, Focus, and Connect with Life by Kim Manley Ort

The Practice of Contemplative Photography:  Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes by Andy Kart and Michael Wood