Ishimoto Yasuhiro, photographer

So once again I was off to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston; this time with a new acquaintance and possible future friend, Jon. Back story is that she wanted to see a photography exhibit there and for one reason or another just hadn't been able to yet, so when we arranged to met for the trip that was to be our destination and first order of business. Speaking for myself it didn't matter what we were to see there, I love it all (except for that modern piece of the giant melted fan-ugh)


We found the exhibit...Black and White photography by Ishimoto Yasuhiro, photos of the Katsura Detached Palace. I was impressed; I have seen other photography exhibits and not enjoyed them this much. Immediately I found rhyme and reason for the arrangement of his work, now whether I was right or not holds no bearing, because it clicked in my head and made beautiful sense. Yasuhiro took photos of traditional Japanese architecture and with his artist eye brought that traditional standard into a contemporary world. Google him to learn more, I'm going talk about my experience with this exhibit.

The composition was amazing, with each new photo I looked at I had a very definite emotional connection, some were very soothing and others made me feel uncomfortable, for whatever reason, I can't say I didn't like those just how they made me feel. The photographs were in hung in white frames with white mats assembled on the walls in grouping. Some were arranged in a straight line others were set at different heights...

Bam-ah-lam; a light bulb went off, if you looked at the groupings and tilted you head just a bit you could tell you looking straight over the lake, still in the same position look down a bite and to the right and ta-da there were the stumps by the edge of the lake. Yes, this may sound weird to those of you understand or have learned how to arrange a groups like these, but for me it was a total WOW moment and one that I shall remember and look for again and again. Oh if ever I'm so blessed to exhibit I will employe his technique.

From what I understood, once Yasuhiro decided on a certain photo he cropped it in a specific way, unique to each photograph. This ability, I believe, is what show cased the lines and spaces of certain photos. He was not sloppy about the lighting either, shots of boulders, stones and vegetation reflected how their textures were so different; hard or soft or even wispy.

I have looked for a image of the photo I liked the most, the one that made me feel as though I was only a breath away from stepping through the glass to walk across the garden and off into the world beyond; But I'm sad to say I could not find it online and I can't afford to purchase the book to show you that either. I guess this is the only link I can offer and it's a PDF of the press release from MFAH.

I can't leave you dear people without at least one photo...I was inspired by Yasuhiro's likeness of a Mondrian painting that I whittled mine down into a small 8 piece ATC series; while they are not exactly alike they are similar and titled Mondrian Mimic.

FTC Disclaimer: I received no compensation for my opinions here.


I believe photography is a valid form of art, because all the normal things are involved with a great photo - composition, lighting, subject matter, not to mention a feeling the photographer wants to evoke. Yes of course there are lots of other things but these are the main ones that pop in my head first.

So tell me do you think photography is a valid form of art?