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

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

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

Looking to the West II

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I like to dedicate this photo to Izzie who took the time to write me such a meaningful comment in my previous post, “Looking to the West”. I do not get this kind of comment very often; I find it very inspiring, so, thank you Izzie.

This is what Izzie wrote:

“Quan Tran… I like the way you expressed your feelings with this photo. To me, it’s just too busy. Maybe I am looking for only a little of the tree and more of the mountains or the tree would have been more with the trunks and the mountain a bit further. I seem to think that you position yourself nearer the tree and lost most of the mountain… could be better…”

Today, I happen to look into my hard drive; and find this image from the same trip. This one has a tree trunk and the mountain a bit further. What do you think about this image (compare to the previous one)?

-Quan.
November 2011.

“It is from the womb of art that criticism was born.” ~ Charles Baudelaire

Looking to the West

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While traveling on highway 395, I like to look westward because (to me) the scenery is more beautiful that way; maybe, because the grand sierra is over that direction.

When I stood there, taking this picture; I didn’t feel hungry or tired, I didn’t feel the pressure of the daily life, life was not too short, and life was not too long. I was simply happy.

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.” ~ John Ruskin.

Friends for Life

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If I were a tree…

Every now and then, on the clear nights, I look up and I see millions of stars above; I couldn't help wondering what the chances are, in this vast universe; that I get to stand right next to a pretty one like you.

I do not know how we end up together here; I only know that I am glad that you stuck with me all these time. And, deep down, I know that if I were a tree, I would want to be your friend for life.

If I were a tree…

-Quan.
November 2011.

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” ~ Albert Camus

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.

A Butte Without a Name, Monument Valley

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I took this picture during a recent visit to Monument Valley. In the valley, the famous buttes all have names such as Mitten Buttes, Merrick Butte, Camel Butte, Elephant Butte, The Totem Pole, The Thumb, and Three Sisters, and so on.

Besides those well-known buttes, there are many others, like this one, which has no name. This butte does not have an extraordinary shape or any special attributes. However, when the light shines on it, it stunned me.

I spied this butte while on the tram ride between stops. The ride was bumpy and rocky; it was difficult to hold the camera still. The butte looked thousand times more beautiful in front of my eyes than in the photo above. I wish I could share what I saw there; but I guess I just have to do with my best effort.

-Quan.
April 2011.

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” ~ Elliott Erwitt.