A DELICATE BALANCE | THE 5 ELEMENTS

Deeply woven into the fabric of many ancient cultures, are the elemental energies expressed as Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space or Void. Each element is said to represent a certain tendency in the world, whether it be physical or spiritual. Together they are thought to explain the nature of things, societies, and people. In Japanese Buddhist philosophy this is represented by the term Godai and symbolically expressed by the gorinto, a distinctively Japanese style stupa. The gorinto is comprised of five geometric forms representing each element. From bottom to top they are Earth the cube, Water the sphere, Fire the triangle, Wind the crescent, and Void the lotus flower.

Each element represents the dynamic balance of opposites, of destruction and renewal, and the processes of change. The images in this book represent moments that visually explore this dynamic balance within the elements.

A tree, possibly evergreen, with greenish-yellow leaves or needles against a textured, abstract background of gray and pale yellow with diagonal streaks.
Moss-covered tree branches in a foggy forest.
Close-up of a stone surface with a fossilized ammonite shell embedded in it.
A sandy beach with shallow water channels and footprints in the sand.
Blurred image with neutral tones and a light background.
Large flock of birds flying in the sky, with a few birds in the foreground flying separately.
Blurred sky with soft pastel pink and grey clouds.
A sunset or sunrise scene with dark clouds and pink-tinged clouds with rain falling from the clouds over a mountain range.
A snowy landscape with cloudy sky.
Close-up view of ocean waves washing onto the sandy shoreline, with foam and bubbles forming on the wet sand.
Close-up of water washing over rocks on a shoreline, with gentle waves and wet sand visible.
Overcast sky with clouds over foggy mountain hills covered in grass and sparse vegetation
Close-up of a small waterfall flowing over moss-covered rocks into a shallow stream with clear water.
A foggy field of tall grass or reeds on a bright day with sunlight creating a glow.
Cracked sand with embedded green seaweed or algae in shallow water.
Overcast day at the beach with dark cloudy sky, choppy waves, and wet sandy shore
A small house or barn in a vast, foggy field with muted, soft colors and a minimalistic landscape.
Unclear image with a gradient of dark and light areas, no distinguishable objects or scenery.