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

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)

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

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

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

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

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.

The Entertainers

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It was a late afternoon, the beach was quiet, I can hear this young family laughing, and the meditative sound of the waves in the background. As I stood there looking at this young father entertaining his kid, my mind drifted to the past. Distant memories started to come to mind.

Once upon a time, I was also an entertainer. I didn’t have many audiences, only a couple of my own; they always enjoyed my performances regardless of how or what I did. It was pretty easy to make them laugh; all I had to do is be silly.

That was a long time ago, time really flies fast. Snapping back to the present, I almost forgot I had the camera with me; I raised the camera up and I took a few shots.

Thanks to this young family who gave me a moment to the beautiful past. Now, I like to share this photo with “the entertainers” out there.

-Quan
October 2011.

“You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.” ~ William D. Tammeus