Vision, Clarity and Decoding the Dream State

This is the second in a series of blogs and images that address the topic of "Time".  Again, Liz Madden-Zibman, is my guest contributor. (See her Bio below.)  And as mentioned in the last blog, Liz is an extremely talented creative writer; her commentary in this post underscores that talent.

Some background info:  for this edition, I sent Liz 9 different photos to inspire her thoughts and provide grist for the "pen" - or rather, "keyboard".  The 2 photos that most resonated with her are featured below.  They were captured at the end of day (when the sunlight is the best!) at the New Jersey coastline on Long Beach Island.  I used a technique that involves slowing down the camera shutter speed.  Without further ado...

Vision, Clarity and Decoding the Dream State - by Liz Madden-Zibman

Kate’s second array of photos in this blog reminds me that we may be leaving behind the idea of refuting clichés and instead exploring new territory. It seems Kate’s blue-sky arrangements might be treading into the dream state. Enigmatic and ephemeral, the shots remind me that time is more than a physical calculation. 

Waves

Granted, we can clock the number of hours in which we sleep. We can enumerate the amount of events that occur in the world while we sleep. In some ways time seems like a hive of numbers where we can even assess its 

value like a fixed number, something in the manner of the clichéd 8 hours sleep being a “good night’s rest”, equated with physical verve and mental awareness. 

Flight

Yet, it’s easy to ignore the phases of time that are nestled inside our dream state. Kate’s photos here seem to be a tribute to that dreaminess world where the mind drifts like striated clouds, meanders like flighty breezes, and washes like rushing waves. The photos themselves even has a post-dream reaction where after viewing them, there’s a sense of clarity, wakefulness, refreshment.



People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.” 
― Neil Gaiman

To view more of my photography on Etsy click here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateRyanFineArt

Liz Madden-Zibman writes imaginative tales and literary fiction, exploring themes of  hope, renewal and creativity. Her novel chapters, short stories and poetry are published in Shaking Lit: Best Prose 2007-2010, Transfer 37, The Kelsey Review, The Kennesaw Review, the U.S. 1 Newspaper Summer Fiction Issue, and most recently, Voices & Visions and La Pluma y La Tinta, New Voices Anthology. Liz has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor’s degree in English/Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She teaches research writing in the disciplines, at Rutgers University.  Contact her at: ezibman@gmail.com.  Check out her blog at:  http://danceoftime.blogspot.com/

Sunrise, Beginnings, and the Miracle of Daybreak

Full disclosure:  getting up in the middle of the night and driving (usually) to a location known for its sunrise views is an exercise in self-inflicted torture for me.  I've done it so infrequently I could count the times on one hand.  So I was pleasantly surprised recently too discover (while rummaging through my image files) this set of sunrise photos taken while in the Cayman Islands almost four years ago.   Metaphorically speaking, I was in the "beginning" stages of my photography journey (similar to the sun's movement toward the break of day).   I seem to recall that at that time I didn't think these images were all that great.  What???  What was I thinking???  I look at them now and can barely believe that I took them.  Of course, the location and view helped me along.

So how did I manage to rip myself out of my slumber to take them? Well, I was at a friend's house and the porch overlooked the beach and ocean.  I remember sitting on that porch, in my nightgown, not quite awake but setting up the camera, and just waiting for the show to begin.  The 6 photos you see in this collage were taken sequentially with probably no more than a half an hour between the first and last one you see.   No editing has been done to them.  What is most amazing to me (aside from the fact that I took them!) is the way the sunrise unfolds; the way color changes from one to the other; the reflections on the water; and the brilliance and miracle of another day.

Oh, to be able to repeat this experience....

And so I leave you with this quote:

“Sunrise looks spectacular in the nature; sunrise looks spectacular in the photos; sunrise looks spectacular in our dreams; sunrise looks spectacular in the paintings, because it really is spectacular!” 

― Mehmet Murat ildan

To view more of my photography on Etsy click here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateRyanFineArt

The Past: Back to My Future

Recently, I got to spend a few days at Long Beach Island with a good friend.  I do like the winter quietude that surrounds this place but look forward equally to the summer season and all its raucous activity.  For me, having grown up in the East and having spent many summers at "the shore" as we call it here, it is familiar and comfortable.  A second home really.  And at this point in my life, I like familiar and comfortable.  And so, this beach, a barrier island, on the edge of New Jersey, an eastern edge of this continent, takes me back to my early childhood.  My grandfather had a summer cottage in this area and I spent the happiest days of my childhood romping around these parts.  And so, with some luck and determination, I hope to rediscover the area this summer...surrounding myself with old, dusty, dreamy memories simultaneously creating new, exciting adventures and escapades.  I wasn't in full photographer mode while visiting - my hostess is not a camera buff but I managed to do some good scouting around (for future photo sessions!).  I like all 4 below, but the solo bird moves me emotionally.  I wasn't prepared for "bird photography" (it requires equipment I just don't have...and probably never will!)...but I took this shot at the faraway angle on purpose.  I like the way the tiny bird appears against the big, expansive sky.  Lots of meaning for me in it.

And so, I leave you with two quotes this time...I liked them equally so decided to include both:

“When I look back on my childhood, my earliest memories seem like artifacts from a long-lost civilization: half-understood fragments behind museum glass.” 
― Matthew Flaming, The Kingdom of Ohio

“One thing about past challenges I never let go of: the fact that I made it through, survived, and learned a great deal.” 
― Charles F. Glassman, Brain Drain The Breakthrough That Will Change Your Life


To view more of my photography on Etsy click here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateRyanFineArt

A Day at The Beach

This past Sunday I was lucky enough to spend a few hours at Island Beach State Park in New Jersey. The sky was perfect.  The park stunningly beautiful.  I love the winter beach vibe.  Along with traditional photo capturing, I took some impressionistic liberties.  This popular abstract approach has various names in the world of photography: motion blurs, swipes, intentional camera movement, slow shutter speed, to name a few.  Applying this in-camera technique allowed me to really tease out the mood that surrounded me...cold, for sure, windy, yes, but yet dreamy, other worldly.  I softened the "color" of the day to a peaceful blue green - because even with all the weather elements whipping and swirling around me - it was calm and serene.   I can't wait to go back!

All comments welcomed! I leave you with a quote on calm and storm:

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm."

― Willa Cather

To view more of my photography on Etsy click here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateRyanFineArt