On February 2, 2018, I was looking at a hedge of camellias behind the Ritto City Library (Shiga Prefecture, Japan). Some of the flowers were wilting. As I began to photograph individual flowers, I realized that the aging camellia flowers showed a lot individuality, each displaying a unique shape, texture, and color pattern.

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellias (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Of course, most photos of camellias (ツバキ) show young flowers. Perhaps we become programmed to think of beauty as something fresh and flawless.

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

Camellia flower (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library

I’m sure many people see aging camellia flowers as ugly, but I wonder if that’s because they don’t look closely at each one as an individual. If we set aside our assumptions about beauty as youthful perfection, we can appreciate details that give character to each old flower.

Camellias (ツバキ) in the garden behind Ritto City Library