“It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera…
they are made with the eye, heart and head.”
– Henri Cartier-Bresson
World Kids is thrilled to present today the extraordinary work of photographer Tommy Salas and one of his latest works: the Red Collection.
It is not easy to talk about someone you admire deeply, especially when he has such a natural talent for photography and an inherent ability to capture beauty.
I find truly amazing the work of this Spanish photographer, who describes himself as a “passionate photographer that wants to show the world what the human eye doesn’t see”.
I am honored that Tommy Salas has been so generous to share with us his unique interpretation of the world.
I feel that all his photos are made with “the eye, heart and head” as quoted by Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Tommy Salas has travelled throughout the world, and captured the essence of the human nature.
In his Red Collection he recalls the strong white-red association typical of the traditional Japanese culture, perhaps because he is also a true Sensei, a Master in the Japanese martial Karate art.
In the Japanese Tradition red and white are ceremonial and auspicious colors that bring good luck, so they are used in many special occassions.
They are also the colors of the Nisshōki, the national flag of Japan (a white rectangular flag with a stylized sun as as a red disk in the center).
White is the color of light, harmony, purity and eternity. It is life, peace, serenity and wisdom. There is white and innocence at the beginning of life but also at the end of life.
Red on the other side is the symbol of the beginning of life, power, strength, fire and blood. Bright red represents masculinity, action, beauty, youth, health and wellness, while dark red is associated with feminity, night, secrets, and represents the mystery of life.
There is even a Japanese word to express the connection between these two colors: KOHAKU, meaning joy, power and rebirth.
Tommy Salas has travelled many times through Asia and in his Red Collection he also honors the Buddhist monks. Red symbolizes for them life-force, preservation, fire, and sacred things or places. Red is associated with the Buddha Amitabha.
Also, the Tibetan culture considers red as a marker of sacred areas. This color is seen in the garments of the monks, as it is believed to be a protective color.
You can follow the original work of this freelance photographer at his Facebook page and also on Instagram.
“I believe that, through the act of living, the discovery of oneself is made concurrently with the discovery of the world around us.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson
Tommy Salas, thanks again for discovering us an extraordinary red world!
Impresionante trabajo!!. Las fotografías son de una belleza increíble y están tratadas con elegancia. Bravo!!!
Elena M.
Gracias Elena por leer World Kids y por tus comentarios.
Me alegro de que te gustase este post dedicado al trabajo de Tommy Salas. Coincido contigo en que sus fotos son de una gran belleza y elegancia.
En breve publicaremos otro post dedicado a este gran fotógrafo.