In 1903 a prominent critic named Henri Rochefort reviewed an artist's one person show in an article titled, "Love for the Ugly." He ridiculed the paintings and reported that several observers experienced "laughing fits" at the efforts of this hometown 'ultra-impressionist" artist.

   Rochefort had no "Love for the Ugly" paintings. He hated the pieces created by this son of local banker named Paul Cézanne,

  Of course, Cézanne's works, including his famous "Apples & Oranges" paintings, are now worth tens of millions. But, in the 19th century many viewed them as simply imperfect efforts at portraying "reality."

   In an always-imperfect and untidy world many seek perfection – or their idea of it. But, even photography cannot deliver that. 

   Today, anyone can aim their cellphone camera at any subject and create an apparently perfect representation. Yet, a single subject has a million ways of being shot. What about pictures of yourself? Which angle appeals to you most?

   It takes a photo artist to find the magic combination of light, shadow, subject placement, angle, depth of field, shutter speed, lens width and the right moment to push the button. It also takes the eye of an artist to edit the "best" among multiple images. It takes even more for a given work to be declared a masterpiece. 

    The first photograph portrays Cezanne's subject: Fruit ready to be eaten. The second portrays a bitten slice. The first subject looks perfect. The second looks imperfect.

    Neither image is worth any money. The question is what either provokes in you: Joy? Irritation? Passion? Indifference? 

   Can you find beauty in your daily challenge of caring for the "imperfect" among us? 

   Value is created not by art appraisers or museum curators. It is created by you.

    This week's Journal presents new images over the next days. Every picture invites you to see familiar things in another way. 

-Erie Chapman

Photographs by Erie