mbfitzmahan. Bazaar in Lutsk. Lutsk, Ukraine. 1998.

A Terrible Beauty

March 19, 2022

mbfitzmahan. Bazaar in Lutsk. Lutsk, Ukraine. 1998.

All changed, changed utterly – a terrible beauty has been born. WB Yeats

About this page

This page is a curated look at some of the finest photos from China, Japan, and Korea. Asia has a long and extremely strong tradition of amateur and professional photography. Surprisingly, though, few Westerners are familiar with the deep culture of photography in Asia. Yes, there are lots of teenagers, moms, and dads snapping shots with their cameras and ubiquitous iPhones. But, there are a surprising number of very serious amateur and professional photographers, and this project seeks to elevate their work.

PHOTOGRAPHERS OF EAST ASIA also presents the Asian culture of photography and writing - linked as essentially as Chinese characters are to their visual image and meaning. Through the intimate writings of the photographer there is a glimpse of the human struggles and the joys of the people of Asia. These photographers write on aesthetics, ideas and rules that are specific to their own culture. In many cases, they write just about their unique walk through life. Cultural theory. Cultural analysis.

RECOMMENDATIONS - Please let me know of any contemporary, amateur or professional photographer from Japan, China or Korea, who you feel should be included in this page. (Jump to the form at the bottom of this page.)