Shorebird along the Morro Bay Estuary.
Photography
June 30, 2007
June 23, 2007
Abstract Emerging
A California Golden Poppy not yet quite at full bloom, on a late April day, at Montana de Oro State Beach, near Morro Bay, California.
These flowers will close up at night or when the sky is overcast and the temperature cool. They are, to be sure, fair-weather friends. Typically, the best shows of blooms tends to occur after an ample and steady rainy season. However, they are a drought-tolerant species which means that even in the midst of a drought, such as we find ourselves in this year, there will still be blooms to see.
Perhaps their drought-tolerant hardiness betrays their fair-weather attitude towards displaying their beauty?
June 18, 2007
Abstract Zen
Calla lily, in black & white.
Sometime close to Christmas, 2005, I shot a series on several calla lily flowers in my backyard. Most of the shots I kept in color, however this particular shot seemed to call out to be imaged monochromatic. I decided to go with a tighter crop, excluding a full shot of the flower, as well as shooting the image with a vertical orientation. One of the things I like best about the image is the general flow, from top to bottom, of white to black.
I was fortunate to have the image selected to be featured in the weekly contest Weekly Shot under the category of Zen. Being a concrete-sequential thinker, I sometimes have a difficult time addressing topics such as... Zen. The idea (and the photographic results) seem to be a bit too subjective in nature and much too open to personal interpretation. That said, how does one actually get an image selected as indicative of Zen? Is it simply a matter of the consensus of other subjective opinions as to what constitutes Zen? Who is to say that this image qualifies as Zen in the same manner that another image would qualify for the category Hands?
Perhaps, just perhaps, the spiritually stagnant secular notion of Zen is but a glimpse of the enigmatic experience of Joy as expressed by C.S. Lewis, in the quote,
The very nature of Joy makes nonsense of our common distinction between having and wanting.
Joy, as defined by Lewis (and, in many respects, the Bible), is not equivalent to happiness and it certainly isn't equivalent to fun. While Zen, as an attainment of awakening, may attempt to understand Joy, such an attempt is bounded by the ever present limitations of our human existence.
Maybe, as Lewis said,
If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
Image - © 2005 A. R. Lopez
May 19, 2007
A Creative Commons use of one of my photos
One of my photos of the Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge railroad has been used in an article on Globalization Lock-in at Policy Innovations, an online magazine promoting fairer globalization.
May 11, 2007
Reality Morro...
The volcanic plug known as Morro Rock, located in Morro Bay, California. Shot near sunset on April 20th.
About 21 million years ago, this particular piece of real estate was volcanically active. Morro Rock is the last in a series of nine volcanic plugs - lava which has cooled and hardened in a vent - that stretch in a line inland from the coast. It seems that the lava source remained stationary while the crustal plate moved. Hence, the series of nine volcanoes.
Today, Morro Rock protects Morro Bay, a fishing and tourist town on California's central coast. Beach Boys fans should be familiar with their mentioning the town in one of their California Saga songs. Near the bay is an estuary, along with a bird sanctuary which is home to many varieties of migratory birds.
Despite the drought that California has suffered this past year, there was a slight "rainstorm" the night before and morning of this particular day. Although predictions were for rain to continue throughout the day, by mid-afternoon the sky was left filled with only the storm's remnants, as pictured above. As the sun was setting, the air was cool with but a slight breeze, and shorebirds were busily feeding along the water's low tide edge.
What a wondrous time to behold an aspect of God's glory.
May 07, 2007
If you insist...
No Comment...
April 19, 2007
Reality Self...
A photo of a photo being displayed on my Canon SD-600 (i.e., a self-portrait).
The theme for WeeklyShot, recently, was Self-Portrait. In an attempt to get beyond shooting my shadow, or my reflection (e.g., in a mirror), I happened to think of a shot of a shot. So, while at my parents' for Resurrection Day dinner, I shot a series of hand-held, arm-length "self-portraits". Later on that day, at home, I set up my Canon Rebel XT on a tripod and positioned myself holding the SD-600 with my image blaring out. After setting the focus and angle, I tripped the camera via a hand-held remote. Once I was satisfied with what I'd shot I downloaded the images to my PC and cropped the final version, while also desaturating everything except the LCD image. My minimal efforts paid off in that I was one of those featured for the week.
Such detailed attention to ourselves. It's no wonder we are a vain species.
April 08, 2007
Sunrise, on the third day...
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. - John 20:1-9 ESV
April 06, 2007
Good Friday, 2007...
And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” - Mark 15:33-39 ESV
April 02, 2007
Reality Damaged...
The right front turn signal indicator on a Kenworth dump truck, in Chama, New Mexico.
My parents have some property in northern New Mexico and we like to, occasionally, spend some time there vacationing. Last September, while on a walk, I decided to check out a Kenworth dump truck which was parked nearby. The truck has, obviously, seen its share of action (also see here, and here).
I was intrigued by the damage on this turn signal indicator. Amidst the massiveness of the truck, amidst the heavy steel bed, which carries dirt, rock, and debris, a tiny plastic light housing gets cracked by some errant pebble. It's to be expected when operating equipment such as this. Yet, the function of the dump truck remains intact, despite the minor damage it has sustained.
I wonder, how much of our lives is mimicked by the circumstances surrounding the dump truck? How much of the damage we carry is to be expected?
March 11, 2007
Brush fire...
Shot from my front yard, this afternoon. The fire season is here. (note: the fire was about 2 - 3 miles away)
March 02, 2007
Reality Club...
A night club, along old Route 66, in Williams, Arizona.
It was late September. We were heading towards California, and stopped at the small town of Williams for a break. Since the high season was over, the streets were essentially devoid of tourists. The business route through town is actually a section of the Mother Road - Route 66. Upon entering the town, the route splits into a divided highway, the reason being (I'm assuming) to allow more storefronts along the highway. While walking along the eastbound section, I noticed an empty lot, all that was left of building that was demolished. On the east side of the lot stood the Canyon Club.
The Canyon Club. Package liquor. Cocktails. Mexican food. And, dancing.
How deep-seated, our desire for meaning, for acceptance, for satisfaction. How temporal, the reality of our existence.
Perhaps, the "2 HOUR LIMIT" sign is a prescient reminder that we are but dust.
image © 2006 A. R. Lopez
February 23, 2007
February 22, 2007
February 21, 2007
Abstract Doors & Window...
Two doors, and a window, on the side of a metal building, in the tiny town of Los Ojos, New Mexico.
It was a lazy afternoon in late September of 2006. Only a few days before, an early snow had dusted much of that region in northern New Mexico. This afternoon, however, the weather was mild, and the sky cloudless. We were on a two-week vacation, and I was getting a bit cabin-crazy, so I decided to go for a solo drive - just me and my camera.
In Los Ojos, not much was going on. I don't think much ever goes on in Los Ojos. I stopped by the San Jose Catholic Church to see what photographic opportunities might present themselves. On the north side of the Church there is a large field, along with a covered area, presumably for outdoor gatherings (e.g., picnics, cookouts, etc.). On the adjoining lot stood this building, gleaming in the late afternoon sun.
I found the harsh shadows on the wall, complete with the dents, to be strangely appealing. Two white doors, one black window, and the vertical lines of the green wall. I wonder - how many of these structures have been manufactured? How many are still standing? How many have been found to be attractive?
- © 2006
(also ref. WeeklyShot)
February 10, 2007
Reality Inversion...
A temperature inversion layer, which leads to the accumulation of particulants beneath it - smog, looking out over Los Angeles, California. The Griffith Observatory is situated upon a hill overlooking the city of Los Angeles. The brown L.A. haze is not perpetual, but was quite evident the day I happened upon this location.
It's interesting, in a paradoxical sort of way, to consider the causes for that dirty air. Quite simply, it's people... take away the people, and the smog would not be there. Yes, the temperature inversion layer would still occur, but man-made pollutants would not be dumped into it. On the other hand, one of the reasons that so many people live in the southern California basin, is that there are plenty of opportunities to make a living (another reason is the climate - the photo above being taken in the middle of January with the temperature in the mid 70s).
Many of the people who live here have come here because there is virtually no opportunity to provide for their family from where they come from. So, is the smog a necessary environmental evil?
- photograph © 2007 A. R. Lopez
February 03, 2007
Abstract Solar...
A view of the open dome and the stairway leading up to it, which houses three solar telescopes, at the newly renovated Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA. Inside the observatory, at the west rotunda, visitors can view a real-time white light image of the sun (weather permitting), a diffracted spectrum image, and a filtered red spectrum image (allowing for real-time observations of solar prominences).
Man seems to have always had an interest in the Sun. One of the exhibits at the observatory illustrated how mankind has used the sun, moon, and stars to measure time for both the short and long term. What a wonderful opportunity that provided me, as a homeschooling parent, to reiterate to our children that Genesis 1 indicates that God made the sun, moon, and stars to "be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years". It would seem that God is interested in being intimately involved with his creation, even if such involvement means taking the time to create entities so huge, and so distant from this planet Earth.
Besides that, how very cool it is to learn about his creation!
- photograph © 2007 A. R. Lopez
January 29, 2007
Reality Glory...
A swallowtail caterpillar preparing, as it consumes the leaves of a fennel plant, for its potential transformation into a swallowtail butterfly.
We found many of these little fellows in our yard - they like fennel plants. Life is hard on them, though, as gophers like the fennel plant as well. Birds, on the other hand, like the swallowtail caterpillar, and it is not unusual to see the caterpillar's numbers dwindle from day to day. Rescuing a few of these guys, we placed them in a butterfly incubator, along with a daily supply of fresh fennel. In time, with suspended chrysalis, they performed their transformation dance, eventually emerging as swallowtail butterflys. Life renewed, our pleasure fulfilled, we granted them their well earned freedom, from their safe confines, into the landscape of our front yard.
What an envigorating experience it was, to see an aspect of the handiwork of God, creator and designer of the natural realm. The integrated complexity of even a small section of the ecosystem we live in is truly amazing. Yet not even the slightest motion of a cog, nor the barest turning of a wheel, goes without notice, or approval, of the One who created it.
How wondrous is their transformation... a renewal of sorts... life anew. Hope. Hope for what is to come. From the cursed bondage of corruption, to the hope of the future of glory, we rest assured.
(also ref. Imago Articulus & WeeklyShot)
- photograph © 2006 A. R. Lopez
January 23, 2007
Abstract Blue...
The corner of a roof, against a deep blue sky, on a vacant building in Chama, New Mexico.
Blue on blue. Cracked, chipped, and peeling paint. Just a rundown, vacant old building, wasting away at 8,000 feet above sea level.
How near to our lives is the juxtaposition of this building against the sky? Next to the simplistically pure beauty of God, do we waste away, cracked and chipped? Manmade artifacts, decaying in the thin air of higher elevations. Color that is close, and yet so far from the real thing. Layers of paint that, while they mimic the hues of reality, have nothing near its steadfastness.
Curse this bondage of corruption...
- photograph © 2006 A. R. Lopez
January 19, 2007
Abstract Curve...
A bright, sunny autumn morning in Williams, Arizona.
At the Grand Canyon Railway, tourists lined up to board the train to the Grand Canyon. Avoiding the crowds, we grabbed some morning coffee, and then headed into town to do some shopping (and, some shooting...). Situated right on the old Route 66, Williams is an interesting place - sort of a combination of tourist trap chic with an Americana ambiance. After finding some leather goods (including a nice hat), it was time to leave. The railway station, now devoid of tourists, offered a variety of potential camera targets. A red caboose, on display, provided the inspiration for a detail shot along its side. I wish my investments would follow such a curve. [also ref. Imago Articulus & WeeklyShot]
- photograph © 2006 A. R. Lopez
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