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.

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.

Bitten

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As I was walking in the park the other day, I spied a streak of light shining on a leaf from under a distant tree. My feet automatically turned toward that direction; thinking this would be a cool photo opportunity. When I got there, I saw this young leaf, which was badly bitten. In a split second, my heart turned from joy to sorrow.

Most leaves get to grow up healthy, to experience a full life through the seasons, to grow old, and to turn yellow in the fall… However, looks like this leaf will not have the chance to live life to the fullest. Sometimes, I feel the world can be so unfair and cruel; dark and cold.

After I took the shot, I stood there wishing the sun would set slower to keep the leaf warm just a little longer. I imagined it’s only a matter of days.

Until then, hang in there and keep on shining!

-Quan.
October, 2011.

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

Separate Way

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If you must go, take good care.
May the sun always shine.
If you must go, don’t look back.
May your future be bright.

But if you stay, just a while.
We’ll dance in the rain,
sing with the wind, and the moon.
We’ll be alright, I know.

But if you go, take my heart.
Heart can’t dance without you.
Wind won’t blow, and moon won’t shine.
So take my heart, wherever you go.

-o-

Love,
-Quan, April 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.