The Way of "True Water": Seeing the Truth and Seeing the Truth: Does Glasgow University really have water?

Photography is the art of observation. Taking water as its own shooting object and expression carrier, taking "true water" as the ideological origin of viewing, and expanding the cognitive boundary of human visual art with unique artistic techniques and exquisite technical means, is the viewing mode presented by Mr. Qin Yuhai's photographic work "True Water".

Taste "true water" and be impressed by "three truths".

The first is Jing Zhen. According to the photographer's account, "True Water" is mostly set in Yuntai Mountain Scenic Area, which is famous for its long-term concern and numerous streams and waterfalls. The author uses a large-format camera, macro lens, reversal film and "naked mirror" to shoot without any modification and carving, which makes the real water have a foundation that can withstand scrutiny, maintains a natural and sincere character, and embodies the inherent characteristics of photography art as "the painting of sunshine" and "the handprint of nature". The photographer's almost harsh equipment selection, ultra-precision exposure control and film tolerance beyond the limit make the texture of water appear to the naked eye; The close partnership between photographer and nature in shooting is also revealed in True Water, which not only shows the beauty of water, but also makes viewers sigh.

The second is the truth. Water is the source of life, and "true water" is the highest concept in China traditional culture. Taking "True Water" as the shooting theme, Mr. Qin completed the shooting of "True Water" series in eight years, presenting a philosophical and even metaphysical concept of "True Water" in the form of image aesthetics, which is an innovation. His innovation is not only based on solid foundation, but also because of his innocence. I remember in a chat, Teacher Qin talked about his experience in reading A Dream of Red Mansions: "Only true temperament can penetrate everything." Reading A Dream of Red Mansions and making such remarks show that he is a man of vision and sincerity. When he filmed True Water, he undoubtedly poured his feelings and true feelings, thus making it artistic and penetrating. The secret of true water is that it can connect nature and mind. Photographers see the way of "true water" from the water, and the audience reads the truth of the photographer's heart from "true water"

The third is the truth. Reality comes from the photographer's lofty mood, and the externalization of lofty mood presents a vast image space of real water. During this period, there may be blurred pictures and shadows, summoned by wind, shadows, sunshine, time and so on. Or the "golden hair" portrayed by the dancing light of thought on the water, or the beauty of philosophical thinking in which true water, dharma eyes and Tao heart are integrated, and there are mysterious Zen machines such as "lotus flowers on a stone, springs in a fire". The confirmation and transformation of the relationship from reality to emptiness, from existence to nothingness, and from exterior to interior in True Water is undoubtedly the starting point of shooting and the true meaning of his works. The outstanding feature of the image of Zhenshui is its strong Chinese flavor and strong modern charm. There is no doubt that these works are both beautiful and forbidden to watch, and they are worth looking at carefully and deeply. Some of them are especially suitable for amplification, and the bigger they are, the more wonderful they are.

Watching True Water also triggered two thoughts on photography. The first is a new understanding of the cognitive function of photography. People attach importance to photography, and usually put its recording and witness function in the first place. Of course, it also includes cognitive function. The photographer is not an expert in photography. Only the materiality of image generation and image presentation is contrary to the concept and abstraction of Tao. Reluctantly, it is easy to fall into nothingness, or draw a tiger cat. Rodin once accused photography of being "a kind of low-level precision", and Pierre Boulle Dieu said that "photography is a kind of media art", all based on this judgment. However, we can't deny the cognitive function of photography just because it is good at recording and witnessing. Comparatively speaking, it is more difficult and meaningful to expand the cognitive boundary of human beings with photography. The success of True Water illustrates this point.

Secondly, there are many photographers in China today, who are willing to express their inner world with images, and let photography, an exotic product, be used by me, so as to shoot photographs with China spirit and China style. Personally, I think this is a good thing, understandable and should be encouraged. Since photography was introduced into China, the problem of China-ization of its cultural identity has always existed, and many photographers have also explored it, but how to get there and how to China-ize it is still a problem. Mr. Qin Yuhai's works have the traditional cultural implication of China, and show the image of China people to the world for reference.

In short, seeing the truth and seeing the truth is my experience in seeing real water. Seeing the truth is like the infiltration of natural water in the heart, which makes people unconsciously follow it to seek truth and enlightenment and explore the unknown. In fact, it is a serious, earnest and exploratory "photography view", which not only breaks away from and insists on the "natural dependence on technology" of photography art, but also asks and verifies that "water is beneficial to everything and disputes"