Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder,” but only if you scrutinize it carefully

The images in this exhibition are not paintings. They are photographs. In fact, they are pure, unmanipulated documentary photographs. I’d be tempted to say, in the style of old-school photojournalism.

I hope you’re not disappointed. Here, documentary photography is not considered art; people don’t typically hang such images on their walls. In other parts of the world, it’s different.

That’s one reason why I made this exhibition and photographed the book that accompanies it. Because these images look like art. There’s another reason, but it requires a bit more explanation.

I’ve spent nearly half a century working in the Finnish press. When I was learning my craft, I had to go through the so-called “long path” because there was no other education available. Perhaps because of that, I’ve always valued my work and have called it photojournalism. In my opinion, a photograph is as much journalism as text is. At least a good photograph.

For a photograph to be good, I’ve always expected, in addition to content and message, the skillful use of light, meticulous technique, and well-controlled composition.

Composition, what we call the arrangement of the surface, may go unnoticed by the reader in good editorial photos. It is often hidden beneath the depicted situation and event. But you’ll find it if you take the time to “scratch” a little.

In the images of this exhibition, the composition is, in addition to the use of color, clearly evident. The images “look” different from my earlier works, but in fact, they are not much different at all.

So, to quote the great words of my friend, academician Kain Tapper: “Seppo, these are just as clear-cut as anything, don’t hesitate to present them.”

This collection has been created with the encouragement of Kain and a few other artist friends. Real artists, that is.

I consider myself only partially responsible for this work, which was created just about ten kilometers north of Pori.

This text was created with AI assistance