Approaching the Sublime

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About Approaching the Sublime

Photos that attempt to capture objects and landscapes that overwhelm one with a sense of the Sublime, as defined by Arthur Schopenhaur (from Wikipedia):

"The feeling of the beautiful is pleasure in simply seeing a benign object. The feeling of the sublime, however, is pleasure in seeing an overpowering or vast malignant object, one that could destroy the observer.

"Feeling of Beauty - Light is reflected off a flower. (Pleasure from a mere perception of an object that cannot hurt observer).

"Weakest Feeling of Sublime - Light reflected off stones. (Pleasure from beholding objects that pose no threat, yet themselves are devoid of life).

"Weaker Feeling of Sublime - Endless desert with no movement. (Pleasure from seeing objects that could not sustain the life of the observer).

"Sublime - Turbulent Nature. (Pleasure from perceiving objects that threaten to hurt or destroy observer).

"Full Feeling of Sublime - Overpowering turbulent Nature. (Pleasure from beholding very violent, destructive objects).

"Fullest Feeling of Sublime - Immensity of Universe's extent or duration. (Pleasure from knowledge of observer's nothingness and oneness with Nature)."
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We're not looking for pretty pictures, beauty, tranquility, the weird or simply unnerving. We want photographs that overwhelm one with the sense of man's nugatory self in the face of life and nature's indifference.

Curatorial moderation has been added to the group in an effort to maintain the context of sublimity within each individual image and the collection as a whole. If your photo is removed or simply not added to the pool, please do not take it personally--it has nothing to do with the quality of work (indeed I have turned away some stunning images) and is entirely related to the specific feeling this group endeavors to cultivate.

Speak beyond the lens.
Yell back at the world, and become your own Sublime.