Seeing 2012 (#12)

For your consideration: a case of terminal alienation, perhaps tinged with a deliberate obliviousness.

An acute sense of emptiness pervades this scene, set on the outer fringe of a metropolis built to be a magnet for against-all-odds riches and an endless supply of spontaneous, casual social bonding (with their attendant opportunities and eventual consequences) . . .

The windows create a sky filled with impotent rays of hope, mocking the potential for any desired interactions between the players. Certainly this was but one of an oversupply of missed connections.

Leaving Las Vegas (New Year's Eve), #5160-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: December 31, 2012; Canon 7D; f/3.5 @ 1/250 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 640;
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 16mm

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Seeing 2012 (#11)

For your consideration: a macro view of a porcelain topography, one which, upon close reflection, may lead to revelations for some.

I find the brain's nimble ability to parse amazingly complex patterns with ease endlessly fascinating. The simple cast of light and shadow across mild contours on this scarred and pockmarked surface is wholly enough to provoke a quick recognition of the true subject's spirit.

Physiognomy, #3038-20D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: May 16, 2010; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/400 sec; —1/3 EV; ISO 100;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#10)

For your consideration: a common object and setting, yet depicted (in a straightforward manner) as our eyes never quite see it . . .

The ability of modern cameras to "freeze" action by means of extremely short exposure times (up 1/8000 sec is not unusual) far surpasses the capacity of the human brain to see in any detail the incredible dynamics of something as simple as a water fountain nozzle . . . Here the cone, at first glance, appears to be encased in ice rather than a thin sheath of erupting water.

Cone Head, #2493-20D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: July 1, 2011; Canon 20D; f/8 @ 1/1001 sec; —1 1/3 EV; ISO 200;
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 269mm

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Seeing 2012 (#9)

For your consideration: a brief break in a bucolic valley, between onslaughts of the season's first, much-belated winter storms.

I had a great luxury of spending most of yesterday exploring this hidden jewel of a largely unpopulated region with fellow photography enthusiast Jerry. The experience featured a good deal of driving and great seeing: interspersed with bouts of icy rain radiated gorgeous waves of golden sunlight illuminating velveteen, undulating hills and dramatic, regal clouds from horizon to horizon. We both emerged with robust caches of potentially excellent imagery.

Not everyone, it would appear however, successfully negotiates a successful departure from this place.

Pinoche Valley, #5421-22-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: January 22, 2012; Canon 7D; f/9 @ 1/1328 sec; —1 1/3 EV; ISO 320;
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS @ 41mm

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Seeing 2012 (#8)

For your consideration: geometric abstractions derived entirely from the play of light upon an object in an expected orientation.

There is much which can be mined in this canvass, if one is willing to linger and play . . .

An unknown creature's cry for help? A thermal mapping of an archer's aim? Juxtaposed planets, moons and rings?

Derived from whole cloth or metallic milling, the reality is subordinate to the pleasure of the contemplations to be plumbed; as with many things one's final interpretation of the visual evidence is likely to be illusionary.

Escape Velocity, #0208-20D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: July 25, 2010; Canon 20D; f/5.6 @ 1.6 secs; —2/3 EV; ISO 400;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#7)

For your consideration: as suffix to the prior entry, let us momentarily consider another recent entry in the Lastest Discovery category . . .

The deeply penetrating Keck telescope has recently discovered more evidence that this particular universe of ours is populated with millions, if not billions of other planets beyond our humble solar system. Now the search is on to unearth observations of rocky spheres which revolve around suns at such as distance as to never long be either too cold or too hot — but rather in a narrow orbital circuit (the so-called inhabitable zone) such that surface and atmospheric temperatures are suitable for water to exist. In such cases the presumption is there is H20, life can arise from the ooze and take form.

Thus, a plethora of unknown species and their representatives on such wet planets might well be patiently awaiting to be encountered.

I've long thought it a disturbing case of acutely-human-centered anthropological conjecture that Life Elsewhere would look something akin to life as we currently know it on Earth (from a species point of view). What might a creature evolved from sulfur, say, appear to be to us? A yellow mound of moving powered mustard?

Perhaps instead other carbon-based aliens have evolved, comprised of vast stretches of connected molecules, creating multi-cellular life forms, just as we are. Who knows: our interstellar neighbors might turn out to be water creatures . . . strange things can happen when enough spherical objects closely congregate and congeal.

Water Entity, #9682-20D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: July 11, 2010; Canon 20D; f/4.5 @ 1/6400 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 200;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#6)

For your consideration: perspectives on the possibility of realities beyond our ability to truly fathom.

For the past few years I've taken up the practice of meditation. Often, as I begin the process of "sitting", I'll venture down a specfic intellectual journey of reflection to clear my mind (a non-sequitur if there ever was one). I start by contemplating the fact that my body, and indeed all physical objects of which I'm aware, consist purely of atoms hanging out together in particular configurations.

These impossibly small particles are themselves essentially empty space: if an atom's nucleus were enlarged to the size of a golf ball, the closest electron would orbit nearly 3,300 feet distant. (Consider too that the nucleus itself consists of similarly void particles — quarks and their kin.) Consequently it is literally the case that the entirety of the physical universe is virtually without substance.

At times, as I follow this path of awareness (with obviously vaguely-defined visualization) a sublime sense of floating astonishment and awe fills my sense of being: the very notion of existence, let alone consciousness, arising from and manifested from such nonsensical nothingness is an incomprehensible miracle. Shells within shells of sub-microscopic architectures as the substrate of such concepts as Self-awareness and emotions (love, hope, joy, grief - the entire gamut) . . . this well-surpasses the Knowable.

And now this news, on the astronomically macro scale: it is increasingly plausible that our universe is but one of an unthinkable number of other Multiverses — a vast reality as simply one bubble amongst untold myriads of others.

Truth is often far more bizarre than any fiction; perhaps no realms of consideration surpasses the domains of physics and astronomy in the richness of case studies supporting this thesis . . .

Untitled (Multiverse), #5188-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: January 17, 2012; Canon 7D; f/4.5 @ 1/1300 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 800;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#5)

For your consideration: a guiding light in the dark, a beam suggestive of warmth, optimism and safe harbor.

We call all use a beacon now and then. Sometimes we become the signal for others . . . a humbling calling, that.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, #4379-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 11, 2011; Canon 7D; f/2.8 @ 1 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 1250;
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm

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Seeing 2012 (#4)

For your consideration: a study in contour, surface texture — and emotional ambiguity . . .

Is the mood hostile? Or one of confident greeting? Is that a smile, or an anticipatory grab for an imminent mammalian morsel? It's impossible to decipher; perhaps time will tell.

News across the wire today stated that astronomers' instruments have now surveyed enough of the sky to determine that we share a place in the heavenly vault with far more planets than stars. This makes sense: one Sun to nine planets in our Solar System [don't bother correcting me: Pluto gets my vote until my dying day!]. The accumulation of visual evidence now reveals many other systems with similar spherical distribution ratios as found in our interstellar neighborhood.

With so many unknown worlds out there, who could say what form and appearance other entities have taken on? I daresay it won't be any easier to assess their mood and intent than it is regarding the subject of this submission.

Vegas Denizen (Mirage), #5110-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 31, 2011; Canon 7D; f/10 @ 1/500 sec; —1 1/3 EV; ISO 500;
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 170mm

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Seeing 2012 (#3)

For your consideration: a study in texture, and a knotty mystery of of some substance.

It reminds me of an ancient fossil fish embedded in strata beyond the ages.

Fence, Kingman, Arizona, #4988-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 29, 2011; Canon 7D; f/11 @ 1/665 sec; —1 1/3 EV; ISO 500;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#2)

For your consideration: justice, back home . . . well, perhaps in the olden days of yore, the Wild West, but by now most of us have found the accuracy of our childhood history books at least as off-kilter as the beams supporting the eaves here.

The dark implications of the coffin notwithstanding (ironically placed in front of the "bank" — although not a trace of Occupy Ghost Town was in sight), this honorable effort of a tourist spot was a quite blissful encounter, being largely deserted during most of the time I spent strolling the sole soul street.

I felt entirely safe, even when peering around dark corners . . . for, after all, I was always armed with my pix shooter in hand . . .

Casket, Chloride, Arizona, #4673-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 27, 2011; Canon 7D; f/8 @ 1/1025 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 250;
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm

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Seeing 2012 (#1)

For your consideration: a tableau from my most recent desert excursion — a little-known forest a bit north of Chloride, Arizona.

I spent upwards of four hours simply wandering, seeing, photographing and meditating within a space no larger than as many acres.

Well after sundown I departed, ruefully, knowing yet again, as always, that this arid Sonoran atmosphere with its seared peace and prickly beauty is my soul's true home.

I shall always ache for it's inhospitable and indescribable comfort.

Yuccas and Moon, Northwest Arizona, #4913-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 28, 2011; Canon 7D; f/8 @ 1/64 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 250;
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS @ 17mm

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