Marion photographer finds ‘The Way Home’ in new ebook

MARION — From the nonetheless moonlit shores of Sippican Harbor to the quiet boats at relaxation within the water, Marion resident Tianxu Zhou has captured the spirit of the city’s quiet moments in his new pictures ebook “The Way Home.”

“Every corner you turn your head, you could see something that’s stunning,” stated Zhou of Marion.

Zhou moved to Marion over 20 years in the past along with his spouse from Virginia and works as a choral director at Tabor Academy.

As a toddler, he grew up in Beijing studying about pictures from his father who labored as a widely known sports activities photographer. In his household house, they’d two fridges — one for meals and one to retailer movie.

“When I grew up, I was watching him with cameras, lenses and films,” he stated.

“The Way Home” showcases scenes from throughout Marion, capturing the “quiet moments” that dwell within the coastal surroundings.

“I appreciate that feeling of being an observer and watching scenes around us,” stated Zhou.

When photographing the city, Zhou seems to seek out the “reactions to the quiet scenes.”

“It’s our reactions to the quiet scenes — that’s the emotion, and that’s a part of who we are,” he stated.

In the photographs offered in his ebook, Zhou seems to enshrine facets of Marion that not exist — displaying hushed photos of Uncle Jon’s chairs now faraway from the espresso store and Marion Harbor Master picnic tables that at the moment are misplaced to time.

Within his pictures, Zhou can be in quest of himself.

“As [with] every art form, it’s a constant search of who we are. It’s a process of finding or understanding myself,” he stated.

While his ebook comprises coloration images, the ebook highlights Zhou’s affinity for black and white pictures.

“Colors are beautiful, but sometimes there’s a purity in black and white photos and [they] help you even more with the contrast and that simplicity,” he stated.

“I’m trying to look for what’s in between lines,” he stated.

As a choral director at Tabor Academy, Zhou sees music and tune as a type of communal bonding.

“We should sing more as a community, as individuals, everybody should find a  better way to express themselves,” stated Zhou. “So really, communal singing is one of the best ways to do that.”

Within his pictures, the identical feeling of connection permeates the photographs.

“I want that book to be that feeling of where we belong and how we connect to this beauty,” stated Zhou.

Growing up within the bustling metropolis of Beijing helped Zhou recognize the tranquility of Marion.

“It gave me a slightly unique perspective to appreciate this little town and the people here and the culture here,” he stated.

Zhou mirrored on the continuously altering nature of Beijing compared to the stillness of Marion.

“It’s just constantly changing and [it] makes you appreciate even more how much Marion just holds it still,” he stated.

Zhou emphasised the duality he feels inside his view of house — stating that Marion and Beijing amongst different locations all over the world can all really feel like house in diversified and transformative methods.

“[Marion] is just a lovely place.”