I’m out of town this week attending a Director’s Seminar at the Maine Media Workshop, so, I thought I would try scheduling a daily post from my recent Brazil trip. Regardless of the outcome in the World Cup, the sun will set on Brazil. And, when it does, it will be beautiful. Here’s the first of a 7 day, daily sunset post from Brazil.
Comments are welcome. Feedback encouraged.
As a film maker and photographer, I am constantly in search of light. I study light, the quality of light, the direction of light, the effects of light. I work diligently to capture the light, practically and metaphorically. Yet, I stand in awe of the Master of Heaven and Earth and Sky. I am continually inspired and surprised by the majesty of his ‘lighting design’. I realize that I have so much to learn. As we approach this Easter Season, I am led, as Moses of old to exclaim,
Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed. Moses 1:10
Yet, the Master knows each of us by name. The light which lighteth the world giveth light to our minds and comfort to our hearts. There is light in Heaven. Angels surround us. In the sky above and the earth beneath, the day of miracles has not ceased.
And, this sunset was incredible. 🙂
If you need a getaway, Los Cabos may be just the place. Beyond El Arco, the Arch, the cool Pacific meets the warm Sea of Cortez at Lands End. Lovers beach, accessible only by boat, calls to romantic sun worshippers. Los Cabos expériences between 300 and 350 sunny days each year. It’s almost always warm and sometimes, it gets very hot.
When Sammy Hagar opened the Cabo Wabo Cantina in the ’90s, he helped turn Cabo San Lucas into party central. However, just a few miles north, San Jose del Cabo still clings to the sleepy fishing village vibe that symbolizes the relaxed kickback sensibilities of the Baja Peninsula.
When it gets cold up north, or you just can’t wait for spring, El Arco at Land’s End is just not that far away.
I was teaching my sixteen-year-old daughter how to drive. The storm was gathering outside, and inside, our car. I wasn’t so much afraid for my life, as I was for hers. She didn’t seem to notice. It was all good.
“Pull over,” I said.
“Why?” It was her favorite question.
“Because I don’t want to die today.”
“Come on, Dad. Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Just pull over.”
She did.
My knuckles were white. My feet were pressed against the floor boards. I opened the door, got out of the car and took a deep breath. That’s when I could smell it, the rain, on a gentle breeze. I could see it coming. I knew it was going to be big, the storm. I breathed it in. I let it go. I felt a drop and grabbed my camera. The picture kept the storm from coming.
“You’re doing fine,” I said. “Let’s go home before the rain hits.”
She smiled and pull out.
“Don’t forget to signal,” I said, my feet pressing firmly on the invisible brakes.
With a population of over 7 million, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Known by its initials, H.K., Hong Kong is a world city and international financial center that is part of the big three–New York, London, and Hong Kong–that support the global economy.
I have been able to spend a few days in Hong Kong taking pictures and filming. Over the next few days, I’ll post my visual impressions of the city.
I never feel like I have enough time to capture the full story of the places I’ve been. Hong Kong is certainly no exception. There is so much more to a city of this Magnitude. The city is exciting and beautiful. The people are friendly. Language was rarely a problem. Almost everyone I met spoke English. And, perhaps most important to surviving the long days of filming was the food. In a word, great. I now have a much better command of chopsticks than ever before.
Situated on the northern coast of Taiwan, Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China. With a population of nearly 3 million people, Taipei is the political, economic and cultural center of Taiwan.
Taipei was founded in the 18th century and has been the center of government for China during various periods. Following World War II, Chiang Kai-shek lead his nationalist forces to Taiwan after suffering defeat at the hands of the communists in China’s civil war. Today, Taiwan has a democratically elected national government.
To reach this viewpoint where I took this picture, we had to hike some pretty steep steps. It was a good workout, and worth it. Taipei is a beautiful, clean and stunningly beautiful city.
Two sets of stairs, each with 89 steps representing Chaing Kai-shek’s age when he died, lead to the main entrance of the Memorial Hall. Rising 289 feet above ground and covered in glazed tile, the structure and surrounding flower beds represent the colors of the flag of the Republic of China.
Chaing Kai-shek retreated from China to Taiwan with his army in 1946 following defeat at the hands of the Communists. He had been ruling China for nearly twenty-two years. After arriving in Taiwan, he served as President of the Republic of Taiwan until his death in 1975. During the period of his rule, he continued to develop plans to retake mainland China from the Communists. Following his death, the Memorial Hall was erected in his honor and has become a natural gathering place, landmark and tourist attraction. If you visit Taiwan, don’t miss it. I was impressed.
If it looks idyllic, that could be because it is. Not too hot. Not too cold. Clear air. Friendly people. Thriving economy. And, incredible scenery.
Talking with the locals in Auckland and Wellington the apocryphal claims went something like this:
“There are more sheep in New Zealand than people.”
“There are more boats in New Zealand than people.”
“The Garden of Eden was actually in New Zealand.”
I couldn’t verify any of these claims; although, I hope to return to New Zealand in search of the Garden of Eden. In any case, I hope to return to New Zealand to explore more of ‘Middle Earth’. Thanks to Peter Jackson, the world has enjoyed the striking beauty of a pristine southwestern Pacific island paradise.
It was a blustery day when we arrived in Wellington, New Zealand. As usual, we only had a short time to shoot b-roll for our documentary assignment. However, we knew we were close to Weta Studios. You can’t, you just can’t come to Middle Earth and not stop by Weta. By the time we got there, the studio was closed. No tours available. But, the light was right, the scenery was incredible and this lighthouse led the way.
700 miles from the beach, I can still hear the waves, the gulls and the hungry seals crying from Seal Rock. The salt air mists my face as the waves crash against the rocks. It seems, for an instant, that time stops. The sun stays its descent, just above the horizon, lingering to set the clouds on fire. I can not count grains of sand, swirling at my feet beyond the frothy shore break. The rhythmic flow of mighty waters, spent and spending, captivate with hypnotic cadence. I can not be in two places at once. But in my dreams, my mind returns, while my body, unmercifully, remains. Awake, I hold a shell to my ear and my heart rejoices in the sounds of sea surrounding Seal Rock.
They're Calling To Me 