On Saturday August 8, 2015 8:15am, Tuan Pham will present Beauty of Things Mundane and Marginalized at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens near Tysons Corners on Rt-7.  The presentation lasting 75-90 minutes is intended for nature photographers, visual artists, and life-long learners with cell phone cameras. It delivers a very special and refreshing message: One needs not travel long distances, climb mountains or wake up before sunrise to experience beauty. Nor own expensive equipment or fancy software for that matter. Participants will (1) view a collection of images taken locally and with minimal post processing in most instances, (2) review some principles of visual designs, and (3) learn to prepare the heart-mind to enter the “flow” of the task at hand, see with liberated eye, and rely on bottom-up attention instead of top-down.

Space is limited to this presentation so register early at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens/events, or call 703-631-3570.  The sponsor requests a $10 donation to Meadowlark.  Weather permitting, you will also have a chance to enjoy the gardens after the presentation.

Tuan Pham took up photography and joined Northern Virginia Photographic Society in 2005. He learned the art largely by reading books and magazines, and occasional workshops on creative vision with Joseph Miller, Freeman Patterson, Maine Media Workshops, among others. He also draws inspiration from Buddhist teaching on “Wise attention” (yoniso manasikara).

Some of Tuan’s photographs are available at Natures Visions Photographic Exhibition, Joseph Miller Abstract Exhibition, and more on his website, Zen through-the-lens.

In 2012, while on a tour of ten national parks, Tuan had an insight–to give voice to the voiceless—which almost immediately transformed his perception and way of seeing, set him apart from his peers, and caught the attention of camera clubs in Washington Metropolitan and surrounding areas.

Now retired, Tuan teaches mindfulness meditation and photography as Zen art, the goal of which is for aesthetic enjoyment and also for cultivating the mind. He can be reached at zenttl02@gmail.com or 703-855-9888.