Crystal Cathedral

As I am sitting here, reflecting on the past Christmas seasons, I realize that the most beautiful Christmas seasons in my life, are the ones when I was little, when I still believed in Santa Claus.

This year, I like to wish everyone lots beautiful moments of pure innocent joy of Christmas.

-Quan.
December 2012.

Veterans Day 2012

I like to send these purple flowers and my deepest appreciation to the veterans and their family.

-Quan.
November 2012.

“Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a solder dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.” ~ Otto Von Bismark.

Desert Rose

Photo copyright: Quan Tran

At the time, I was so attracted to this flower that I had take a few exposures. I found out later, after searching the Internet, that this Adenium also has a nick name of "Desert Rose". No wonder why I was so captivated by it. For some reasons, deep down in my mind, the desert always gives me the impression of modest beauties but full of mysterious attractions.

-Quan.
August 2012.

Directions

Photo copyright: Quan Tran
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I think amusement parks are intentionally built like mazes; so that first-timers would get lost easily. To find their way around, some people look up the map; while other would rather utilize their own sensory system for directions.

-Quan.
April 2012.

“Common Sense is that which judges the things given to it by other senses.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Beyond Dark Clouds

Photo copyright: Quan Tran
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When I was a young boy, I was told that when someone died, they just became a star and stayed in the sky watching over us. To this day, as a grown man, my little earthling brain still cannot fully grasp the meaning of death. I don’t think I ever will.

Whenever I learn of someone passing away, I just turn on Bach’s “Mass in B minor”; and look up at the heavenly sky… beyond the dark clouds.

My thoughts and prayers go to Mrs. Grant (1949-2012), and my deepest and sincere condolences to the family.

-Quan.
March 2012.

“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” ~ Author Unknown

Walking Bird

Photo copyright: Quan Tran
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Why walk when you can fly?

I saw this bird on the beach, taking his lone walk. I decided to follow and watch  him. He didn’t seem hurry, rather enjoying his walk. He would take a few steps and then pause and looked around as if to decide which direction to go next. He didn’t seem bothered by the wave coming in at knee high. He just walked, bare-feet, slowly, alone.

Even though you can fly high up on the sky; however, if you want to touch the wet sand and feel the wave slapping on your knees, you still have to come down to earth and take a slow walk.

Even if you can fly, but will you walk?

-Quan.
March 2012.

“The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk.” ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Daisies for G

Photo copyright: Quan Tran
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I like to send these daisies to G who is now recovering from a heart attack on Saturday. I am very happy to learn that G is home and OK now.

G, I wish you a speedy recovery; and take good care of yourself.

-Quan.
March 2012.

“My life sucks! I just gotta remember that someone out there is having a heart attack, or getting a limb amputated. Then I stop complaining.” ~ Author Unknown.

Moon Road

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Almost two years ago in Utah, I was up on top of a big rock surveying the scene. A slight breeze caressed my face and whispered in my ear “the show is about to begin”. As I looked up, the dark-cloud curtain opened slowly, unveiled a little bit of, then a little more of, then a whole moon.

I could hear, somewhere in my head, Beethoven’s Moonlight sonata playing softly. Then the sound of the piano diminished and faded into the air. Then, I heard the sound of the shutter click from my camera. Then, I heard the sound of my breath. Then, I heard the sound of silence…

-Quan

March 2012.

“The moon, like a flower
In heaven's high bower,
With silent delight
Sits and smiles on the night.”
William Blake

Rhythm of Youth

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I took this photograph in the UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) campus attending a workshop a few months ago. It’s been a while since I visited a college campus; it’s so refreshing to be in such a dynamic environment where most people were so young and energetic.

The best part of being in school this time for me is that I didn’t have to worry about turning in homework or taking tests. No pressure, just pleasure. Being around young people, makes me feel younger and more vigorous. It’s contagious.

-Quan

February 2012.

“Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.” ~ Victor Hugo

Gravity

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A man can only hold so much in his head. Beyond a certain point, gravity will take over.

-Quan
February 2012.

Tintin

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I was nearby and heard the mother keeps saying “Stop it, we have to go.” But, they didn’t seem to listen to anything their mom saying, and carried on whatever they were doing. They stood there frozen; appearing to me that they were mocking some movie scene. It took the mother several more minutes to be able to get them “unfrozen” and finally walked off.

-Quan
February 2012.

“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.” ~ Anonymous

The Little Viewer

A few weeks ago, on Vietnamese New Year, I hung a few of my photographs at an exhibition. This little guy made me smile when he pointed his finger at the little boy in this picture (which I posted here a while back). I felt a connection between the boys; and I think this was a very cute moment. Don’t you think so?

-Quan

February 2012.

“Only to children children sing, only to youth will spring be spring.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Harp

Lion Dance

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I had a great time at the Chinese New Year parade last weekend. For me, the lion dance was the highlight of the parade. As the lions marched down the street, people extended their arm out with a red envelops to invite the lion dancer over. When the dancer accepted the invitation and got close to the sidewalk, it would do some special dance moves for a treat. The audiences showed their appreciation with loud cheering noises, and throwing out the confetti.

Even though, I was not a participant; with the camera on hand, I felt more like an observant. And that was an exciting scene to watch, I can feel the festive atmosphere all around me.

“Kung hei fat choi” (Congratulations and be prosperous) to all, as the Chinese would say on New Year.

-Quan
February 2012.

“Life is a festival only to the wise.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)

Nature and Man

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When I took this picture, I thought of Edward Abbey.

For those not familiar with Edward Abbey, here is an excerpt from Wikipedia: “Edward Paul Abbey (29 January 1927 – 14 March 1989) was an American anarchist writer noted for his advocacy of environmental issues and criticism of public land policies.”

Whenever I take field trips to remote locations away from the city, I get to enjoy the beautiful sceneries. Overtime, I acquire the appreciation and deeper respect for Mother Nature. The camera has taught me the love for the land and the sea.

I can relate to Edward’s writing through which I become even more ecological conscious. If he was still alive, today would have been Edward’s 75th birthday. With this image, I like to celebrate his birthday and pay tribute to him.

-Quan
January 2012.

“I stand for what I stand on.” ~ Edward Abbey

One

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There is no doubt that Disney Concert Hall is an architectural marvel. Somehow, the all-stainless-steel futuristic look of the external design gives me a sort of uneasy feeling. This is not a criticism; I really do not know anything about architecture. I am sure it is just me.

As I took this photograph, I had a flash back of a scene from a science-fiction movie (which I cannot recall the title). In the movie, a man wakes up one day and discovers that he is the only one left on earth. The mother ships had took off and left him behind. Not by choice, he becomes specie of one.

The thought of being “one” and surrounded by metals is terrifying to me. I wonder if man could ever live alone.

-Quan
January 2012.

“Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.” ~ Baltasar Gracian

Equestrians

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Every time I see a horse, I always get the feelings of grace, beauty, spiritual and freedom. Personally, I have never ridden a horse before in my life. I think it would be so cool to ride one. That remains one of my many dreams.

In reality, I am just as contented to watch and to photograph other lucky people riding their horses.

Wait a minute! I want to dream some more. I dream to spend an afternoon riding the horse with another soul. I dream...

-Quan
January 2012.

“A horse is poetry in motion.” ~ Author Unknown

Yearning

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During the last few weeks here in Southern California, the weather was nice and warm. Comparing to last year, it doesn’t feel like winter, rather more like early spring. (Do I hear someone saying, “global warming”?)

Despite the warm temperature, there’s still sign of winter. This tree makes me stop while walking in the local park. I don’t know if it’s just me, or the tree seem to be weeping and yearning for the spring.


-Quan
January 2012.

“Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit.”  ~ Khalil Gibran  

Dreamland

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When I was little, I loved to read fairy tale and comic books. Things were often simple and beautiful; and the animals, rocks and trees could talk. Later on in life, when I went to school and I learned science, math and logic; I was told that rocks and trees don’t talk and that everything I read before was just make-believe stuffs.

Now, with photography, everything speaks again. Although, there are no written words, but the language is beautiful. Thanks to photography, I found my long-lost dreamland.

-Quan
January 2012.

“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” ~ Robert Kennedy