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

Moon Road

Image copyright: Quan Tran
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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

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

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.

Traces of the Fall

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I can understand why autumn is so attractive to so many people, especially the photographers (me included). Who can really resist those glowing bright golden leaves? Even when most of the golden stuffs were gone, there were still magic in the air; her beauty still lingered on.

After taking this shot, I stood there, wanted to look at the scene with my naked eyes for a few more minutes. Logic told me that she will be back next year, there would be another autumn; I knew my heart will long for her, but my instinct told me that it may not be the same.

But then, I had to move on…

-Quan.
November 2011.

"Happiness is the longing for repetition." ~ Milan Kundera (Czech Novelist, Playwright and Poet, b.1929)

Between the Seasons

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Last weekend, a few friends and I drove out to Eastern Sierra (California) area to take pictures of the fall colors. Before heading out, I knew it has passed the peek time, but I was hopeful that autumn was still around for a bit longer.

Upon arrival, looking at the bare trees, I knew that we were late for the party. However, there were still remnant of the fall; I could see a few trees with yellow leaves scattered between the bared ones. There was also early sign of the coming winter, a few small patches of snow on the ground.

I realized, then, that I was neither late for the autumn, nor early for the winter. I was just in between the seasons. I told myself “nature’s clock waits for no one, all I can do is to be a good observer.”

Until next year, here is my humbled-not-quite-fall-color photograph. Hope you enjoy it.

-Quan
November 2011.

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.

Water Tower

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Many water towers were constructed during the Industrial Revolution, when the cities and villages were equipped with a public water system. These towers were symbols of progress and a better quality of life.

Nowadays, people do not give much attention to water towers. They are either demolished or becoming historic landmarks. Along with the typewriters, dot matrix printers, pinball machines, water towers are now historic relics.

Rapid technology advance causes many things to become obsolete too soon. Still, I like to see one more thing to become obsolete. I want to see war to become the thing of the past just like dueling was.

-Quan.
March 2011.

“Either war is obsolete, or men are.” ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

A Lotus for Japan

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Even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower. The Lotus flower is regarded as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth.

I like to dedicate this Lotus flower to the people in Japan. I wish that there are no more aftershocks, and the death toll to stop rising. I wish them a speeding recovery. My thoughts and heart are with the people in Japan.

If anyone likes to help, I include this link from Yahoo! News: “Japan earthquake and tsunami: How to help”

-Quan.
March 2011.

Quang Tuấn Delivers His Crescendo

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I went to a fundraiser concert back in January. There were many entertaining performances, including a number sung by Quang Tuấn accompanied by the band Phượng Hoàng. I had seen them performed together a few times before – this time was no different – always exceptional.

Quang Tuấn walks and speaks with a moderate pace. His songs selections are usually with slow to medium beat. When on stage, he always dresses very well and conservative. I think that personality reflects in his singing.

What I like most about Quang Tuấn’s singing is the way he delivers his crescendos. His crescendos always begin with a smooth tone in an unhurried, deliberate pace; and ends with tremendous dynamic.

When he does that, I get goose bumps. I am not a musical expert; but whenever I get goose bumps, I know I am listening to good singing.

-Quan.
March 2011.

“You are the crescendo.” ~ P. Diddy Puff Daddy (American, b.1969, Harlem, New York, USA)

Hang Together

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I remember when I was little; I used to hang out with friends, lying on the grass, looking up at the sky. We would see different animals from the various cloud formations. Some cloud would look like a lion; other would look like a dragon, or a dinosaur, etc. That was pure and simple fun.

Sometimes, I wonder what I would do if I were a leaf? Maybe, I would hang out with other leaves. Some days, there will be dragons and dinosaurs. Other days, it will be cloudless; there will be just an empty blue sky. It would not matter if there were no clouds on the sky, I know, because I am hanging out with my friends. And I would be just as happy.

What would you do if you were a leaf?

-Quan.
February 2011.

“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” ~ Benjamin Franklin.

White Rose



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It’s been several months since I last visited my mother. Mom’s house is only about one-hour drive away; I really had no excuse for the long absence besides being so busy with heavy work schedule.

My mom loves gardening. Through the years, she spends countless hours of her free time working outside in the backyard. Day by day, the backyard gradually transforms into a mini garden full of beautiful plants, flowers and vegetables.

Every time I visit mom, I always make a point to go out to the backyard. It’s my retreat area. So this time, after having lunch and watching TV with Mom for a while, I went out to the backyard, as usual, to relax. At this time of year, most plants are out of season, there isn’t a lot going on, other than a few small cactus blooms. As I sat on the swing, looking toward the apple tree, I noticed a lone blossomed white rose illuminated by the afternoon sun beams shining through between the apple leaves. So, I get up and took a few frames.

The purity and beauty of the white rose remind me of the motherly love we all felt when we were little. In the young child’s eyes, Mom is a goddess, beautiful and pure. As we become of age, leaving the nest, struggling with life and drifting away from home, we lose touch. It felt good to be reminded of how beautiful mom always is in my heart.

I dedicate this photo my mom, my wife and all the mothers out there.

-Quan.
February 2011.