Sanzen-in (BG-1)

In this image, the crystal clear water reflects a world that exists outside the frame. The water is so still that it is like a mirror, and we feel as though there is another world below its surface. If you flip this composition upside down it is magical, and this is how William always saw the world while composing on the ground glass of his camera. This reflection also shows elements we do not immediately notice, namely the upper portions of the tall trees, the eaves of the temple, and the blue sky. By showing only part of the temple through the reflection of the pond, we can be guided to the splendor of the real world, and at the same time have our curiosity stirred about the world below. William is reminding us that the garden was carefully planned as an art form, and he is doing it justice by expressing its beauty through his photography.