Category: Photo Essay

In recent years, vaporizers have found a place not only in lifestyle culture but also in the world of creative expression. Many young people across generations are using vape smoke to craft visually striking patterns and perform vape tricks—transforming vapor into a unique form of performance art.

These tricks, often shared on social media or showcased in competitions, highlight the artistic side of vaping. Like any other creative discipline, vape artistry deserves recognition and respect. However, before diving into the visual appeal or entertainment value, it’s important to understand how to use vapes responsibly.

Vaping has gained popularity as both a recreational activity and a perceived alternative to smoking cigarettes. While some users—especially former smokers—turn to vaping for its lower nicotine options, it’s crucial to recognize that this practice is not without risks. No major health issues have been publicly reported by vape artists, but that does not imply vaping is entirely harmless.

In fact, a recent study published in the journal Radiology revealed that vaping can cause temporary changes in blood vessel function even in healthy adults. These effects raise concerns about the potential long-term impact of vaping on cardiovascular health.

As vaping continues to evolve—both as a lifestyle and an art form—it’s important to balance creative expression with awareness, responsibility, and health-conscious choices.

Organizing and participating in protests is a fundamental expression of democratic rights. Since Donald Trump assumed the presidency, political protests have surged not just across the United States but around the world. In response to what many viewed as divisive rhetoric and regressive policies from Trump and his cabinet, numerous nonprofit organizations, social justice groups, and concerned individuals have mobilized in protest.

The Washington, D.C. metro area became a key stage for these demonstrations, with major protests erupting at airports, public squares, and government buildings. Many of these rallies voiced widespread opposition to Trump’s policies and leadership style, reflecting a broader sentiment that the country was veering off course. These protests often featured creative signs, impactful slogans, and a spirit of resistance that never fully subsided throughout his term.

From the day of his inauguration to significant events such as the 33-day government shutdown in early 2019, nearly every major action taken by the Trump administration became a flashpoint for public outcry. Even as Trump supporters occasionally marched in D.C., their presence was dwarfed by a stronger, ongoing wave of dissent. Despite heightened security concerns, protests remained a steady form of civic engagement, underscoring the resilience of democratic participation during one of the most polarized eras in recent U.S. history.

Rickshaws are a lifeline in Dhaka, weaving through the city’s streets and keeping its cultural heartbeat alive. Affordable and zero-emission, they remain the transport of choice for middle-class residents—crucial in easing congestion without compromising air quality. Without rickshaws, Dhaka’s modern culture would lose its vitality.

Yet beneath their colorful exteriors lies a more troubling reality: the health of rickshaw pullers. Studies show 94% of pullers suffer from health problems like fever, cough, and muscle pain—common issues compounded by long hours and poor nutrition. Many suffer from serious respiratory conditions due to air pollution; one study found urban rickshaw pullers had significantly lower lung function than their rural counterparts jhehp.zums.ac.ir.

Their diets are often unbalanced, with most relying heavily on rice and potatoes and eating minimal proteins, fruits, or vegetables—failing to match their high physical energy expenditure. Add to this limited access to healthcare: most rely on pharmacies rather than clinics, and many are unaware of common vision or cardiovascular issues.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 96% of pullers experienced income loss, while 70% fell into debt. Only 12% owned their rickshaws and 89% didn’t wear masks because breathing was too difficult under physical strain. The combination of financial precarity and health hazards makes their burden all the more devastating.

Despite their contributions—rickshaws make up over 6% of Bangladesh’s GDP and are recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage rickshaw pullers’ welfare is still largely ignored in urban planning and public health efforts.

 

Zen is not exactly a philosophy—nor is it confined to religion, doctrine, theory, or law. For many, Zen simply is. It exists as a direct realization, something deeply personal and experiential. According to Zen, art should be simple, stripped of distraction, and honest in its presence. It suggests that the essence and eternal quality of an object is complete, even before it is seen. True art, in this view, lies in the nature of the object itself—timeless and beyond interpretation.

In Zen, words fall short. So instead of explaining, I turn to the act of seeing. I take a photograph in the precise moment nature reveals something true. What I seek isn’t just the visual scene, but the presence of a fleeting moment—the quiet truth that exists within it. Through the lens of a 4×5 view camera, I try to connect with that moment, even as the past and its emotional residue resist clear understanding. Nature stirs feelings in me that never fully resolve, yet they guide my process.

In Buddhism, there isn’t always a definitive answer, and that too reflects my journey this semester. My experience wasn’t defined by recognition or rejection; rather, it was shaped by intensity—an intensity that often existed apart from the images I created. My photography felt less like expression and more like reflection—quiet, still, and inward.

Inspired by Ansel Adams’ monochrome landscapes, I felt my practice evolve—from the past into the present. This semester, photography became a quiet regeneration of my emotions. Even when working with grayscale, the lighting, tones, and structure expressed something vivid. Each image held a piece of me—anchored in the darkest shadows and brightest highlights, while all the subtle mid-tones held the unspoken narrative.

My inspiration pushed me toward complexity—not just in subject matter, but in self-understanding. The most difficult path often revealed the most truth. And in the end, the personal victories mattered less than the total experience of what I lived and created throughout the semester.

The trilogy of devotee, devotion, and deity forms a powerful current of spiritual energy—what many understand as Godliness or Krishna Consciousness. In rare and profound moments, the devotion of a sincere heart becomes so intense that the devotee’s consciousness is fully absorbed into divine awareness, releasing waves of bliss and transcendence.

Through this series of photographs, I have attempted to capture and convey the spiritual essence of Krishna Consciousness. Each image is meant to reflect a subtle yet powerful connection between the devotee (you) and the deity (Lord Krishna)—a reminder of the ever-present, divine bond that transcends the material world.

Still, every path of devotion comes with its own trials. You may find yourself asking:

Who is Krishna?

What does it truly feel like to experience Krishna Consciousness or godliness?

Am I ready to share my spiritual experience with friends and family who may not yet know it?

Would I invite them to explore the path of Krishna Consciousness for themselves?

I believe that through such reflections—and the karma of conscious action—we can help awaken Krishna Consciousness within ourselves and others. True spirituality does not divide; it unites. Any religion or belief system that separates people loses its essence.

Let this offering, created in April 2016, serve as a small step toward collective spiritual awakening and inner peace.