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.

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

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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

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

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  

Down the Hall

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Occasionally, we all need a quiet moment to rest. As the year coming to the end, I am sitting here, doing nothing but reflecting upon twenty-eleven. Overall, it was a very good year for me in many respects.

One of the highlight of this year was my acquisition of a new camera, the Fujifilm X100. I know buying the X100 does not instantly make me a photographer; it only makes me an X100 owner. I often hear people saying, “It’s the photographer, not the camera that takes the pictures.” Even though, I agree with that wisdom, I want to say that the X100 gave me the inspiration to take more and better images. (Click here to see the images taken with the Fujifilm X100.)

Another reason that makes this year so terrific for me is you. When I look at the stats of this blog, I see a steady increase in numbers of visits from all over the world. That reason alone, gives me the inspiration to take more pictures and to post more regularly. In addition, many of you also take the time to write your feed-backs and share your thoughts with me, on and off line. I want to this opportunity to say that I appreciate your support and encouragement throughout the year.

I also look at other reports, the ones from my affiliations with Amazon and B&H Photo. The reports do not show who made the purchases, they only show what items were sold coming from this blog. Even that I do not know who you are, I do get the nice warm feeling knowing someone out there is helping me. I know you do not have to do it, but you choose to do it to support me. Your thoughtful actions really keep me going. Thank you!

I like to hold the nice memories of this year as I am saying farewell to twenty-eleven; and to wish you all the love, joy and even more success in your life as we welcome twenty-twelve.

Wish you a very Happy New Year.

-Quan
December 2011.

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” ~ Ansel Adams

Reindeer

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During the last few weeks, we have strong winds and heavy rains. It is colder each day as the days get shorter. And, when it’s not raining, it’s dull and grey. The winter is definitely here.

On a more positive note, I see Christmas decorations everywhere; in the office, around the neighborhoods, and on the streets. I spot these reindeer on a hillside, while taking my walk; they are part of the city’s Christmas lights display. I think the Christmas decorations, lights and the warmth of the season makes the winter much more bearable.

-Quan.
December 2011.

“Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling.” ~ Edna Ferber

A Moment With You

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Now I believe in angels,

for I am here next to you,

in this city of angels,

cherish this moment and you.

-Quan.

Los Angeles

December 2011.

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~ Luciano de Crescenzo

Sextet

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From far away, the fence looked like yellow polka dot wall. There were thick layers of vines and leaves covered by the sprinkles of these little flowers on the outer layer.

Up close, it was chaos. There were no laws and orders. These little people just grew in an uncontrolled, but very energetic fashion. Getting even closer, I found this sextet. They were music to my eyes. It seemed like they were smiling and singing, “Hello Mister, welcome to this corner of the fence. How are you doing today?” To which I replied “Hello Sunshine.”

Thank you everyone for visiting this corner of the World Wide Web. May your weekend filled with sunshine.

-Quan
December 2011.

“Chaos is the score upon which reality is written.” ~ Henry Miller

Each and Every Step

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Each step is an adventure for both. When we lift the foot up, we want to make sure that it points to the right direction. When we land it down on the ground, we do not want land on any impediments. For every step, we want to maintain balance throughout. We use the handholding technique as a guiding tool. We do that with one hundred percent concentration. Then, we repeat the same process in the next step. As long as we focus on the task, we will stay on course and nobody gets hurt.

The years will pass. There will be no more handholding; there will be football games, music recitals, rock-and-roll, driving education, and colleges. Every so often, there will be “Hi, Dad” followed by “Hi son, how are you doing?” Every so often, there will be lunches, or even a hug.

The journey continues...

-Quan
December 2011.

“It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.” ~ Johann Schiller

Wild Flowers

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It was late afternoon; the sun is coming down quickly. I had an image in my mind that I wanted to take, but this lady was in my view. So, I waited for her to finish taking her pictures. She appeared to me as very meticulous; she took her time shooting, take a few steps, shot again; few more steps, then shot some more. When she finished shooting and started to walk away, I was so relief and got ready for my shot.

Well, only after a few steps, she stopped. This time, she took out some small device, and just stood there. There she was with her little device, and here I was running out of patience. And the sun is coming down quickly.

Then I thought why not take a picture of her instead. After I took this photograph, I didn’t want to wait for the one I originally waited for. I walked away happy knowing it would not be as good without her.

The entire time, I stood there waiting for something which I thought may be good; not knowing the good was right in front of me. Thanks to my incidental model for being in my way. However, now in hindsight, I am the one who needed to get out of my own way.

“Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” ~ A. A. Milne

Bend

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Aspens typically grow in large colonies; some colonies become very large overtime, spreading a about a meter a year; eventually covering many hectares.

I imagine, living in such a dense population, some aspen is going to have to bend in order to grow upward.

“Blessed are the hearts that can bends; they shall never be broken.” ~ Albert Camus.

Belongs to No One

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Whenever I see these abandoned homes, I can't help wondering why people abandon their homes. I come up with several usual suspects: death, financial difficulty, imprisonment, natural disaster, or relocate, etc. Well, your guess will be as good as mine. Who knows?

Or, perhaps, people do not just abandon their possessions; they actually abandon their past for the hope of a better tomorrow. If that was the case, then I wish them better homes and better shoes.

This year's Thanksgiving, I am thankful that I have a home to go to everyday and have a sense of belonging.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Perhaps, home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.” ~ James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room.

Caution

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Today, I am thinking about shadows; particularly, our own shadows.

Shadows never complain, and always follow us quietly. When we step into the shade, they just disappear. When we face the light, they stay right behind us. When the light gets brighter, the shadows get deeper. The only time we see our own shadows is when we turn our back to the light; or when we face the light but turn our heads to look back behind us.

Shadows have many shapes and forms; they can be very pretty sometimes. Whenever I see my shadow, I get a feeling of comfort, knowing that there’s light. When I see my shadow, I know it is sunny and I am not alone.

If you haven’t looked at your own shadow lately, I invite you to walk into the light; walk, jump, dance or run (whatever you like to do) while noticing your own shadows. It is pure joy, I guarantee it. Watch your steps and don’t injure yourself though.

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Azra

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Anyone following the news lately would notice that there were many tragic events happened in recent weeks. The monsoon flooded Bangkok; then now the earthquake in Turkey. Sometimes, it can be depressing watching the news.

I like to send my best wishes to the people in Thailand and Turkey; my thoughts go to the victims, and my condolences to their loved ones.

Then on Tuesday, I happened to watch the footage about a 2-week-old baby girl, Azra Karaduman, pulled out alive from the rubble by the earthquake rescue team. That’s good news (for a change). I felt as if I was watching a miracle unfolding right in front of my eyes. A miracle, indeed!

Today, I want take the liberty to title this photograph “Azra” (hope you don’t mind) to celebrate Azra Karaduman. And, I want to propose a toast to her “Azra, you can survive this earthquake; you can handle anything life throws at you later on. I sincerely wish you, despite a rough start, a happy and wonderful long life.”

-Quan
October 2011.

"Live long and prosper, my friend." ~ Stars Trek.