Amid The Falling Snow
a song by Enya

How I remember sleepless nights
when we would read by candlelight,
and on the windowpane outside
a new world made of snow;

a million feathers falling down,
a million stars that touch the ground,
so many secrets to be found
amid the falling snow.

Maybe I am falling down.
Tell me should I touch the ground?
Maybe I won't make a sound
in the darkness all around.

The silence of a winter's night
brings memories I hold inside;

remembering a blue moonlight
upon the fallen snow.

Maybe I am falling down.
Tell me should I touch the ground?
Maybe I won't make a sound
in the darkness all around.

I close my window to the night.
I leave the sky her tears of white.
And all is lit by candlelight
amid the falling snow.

And all is lit by candlelight
amid the falling snow.

----------------------------------
The images lie in my head.. And the song keep singing in my mind as if am watching over and over the trees upon the falling snow..

By That Long Scan of Waves
by Walt Whitman
(1819-1892)

By that long scan of waves, myself call'd back, resumed upon myself,
In every crest some undulating light or shade--some retrospect,
Joys, travels, studies, silent panoramas--scenes ephemeral,
The long past war, the battles, hospital sights, the wounded and the dead,
Myself through every by-gone phase--my idle youth--old age at hand,
My three-score years of life summ'd up, and more, and past,
By any grand ideal tried, intentionless, the whole a nothing,
And haply yet some drop within God's scheme's ensemble--some
wave, or part of wave,
Like one of yours, ye multitudinous ocean.

Images was made with Hasselblad 501C, 250mm Carl Zeiss Plannar Lens, yellow filter and used Kodak Tmax 100. The Film was developed with Pyrocat MC and the print was developed with Dektol.

Thanks for Ananda for introducing me to the lovely poem of Whitman

LAWANG SEWU

Lawang Sewu, a short distance from Simpang Lima, Semarang, Indonesia is one of the city landmark. Lawang Sewu or in English known as thousand doors has a long history. The architects was Jacob Klinkhamer and BJ Queendag. Currently the function changed into Indonesian Railway Office. After second aggression of the Dutch the building then became a military headquarter of the military district of Central Java. During the Second World War, in 5 days battle of Semarang, this building became a base camp of Indonesian heroic in fighting against Japanese.

This building had underground prisons, underground tunnels, and of course many-many doors. Visitors can get confused to find the way out after pass the entrance of the building since so many doors with a similar shape.

Ornament of The Thistle's Chapel

The Order of the Thistle is Scotland's great order of chivalry, and membership is considered to be one of the country's highest honours. The Order is traditionally given to Scots or people of Scots ancestry, who have given distinguished service. Appointments are entirely in the personal gift of the Sovereign.

The Order of the Thistle has roots in the Middle Ages, but the presentday order was largely created in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland (King James II of England). The nave of Holyrood Abbey was adapted as its chapel, but in 1688 the Abbey was ransacked by the Edinburgh mob, furious at King James’ Roman Catholic allegiance. After that, the Knights of the Thistle had no chapel of their own for over 200 years

The image was made with Hasselblad 501C with 250mm Zeiss Plannar lens, a yellow filter and Kodak Tmax 400 rated at 320; The negative was developed with Rodinal 1:50 with N process; The print was developed with Ansco 120

FLYING AT NIGHT

Above us, stars.
Beneath us, constellations.
Five billion miles away,
a galaxy dies like a snowflake falling on water.
Below us, some farmer, feeling the chill of that distant death,
snaps on his yard light, drawing his sheds and barn
back into the little system of his care.

All night, the cities, like shimmering novas,
tug with bright streets at lonely lights like his.

Ted Kooser


Image was taken with Canon Eos 350D
Model: Chendra Panatan, The Champ (You realy are amazing!)

ALIO MODO

The image was made to accompany a dance composition called Alio Modo. The starting point of the piece comes from a piece of music called Alio Modo (latin, means Another Way). It is one part of a full length SYMPHONY composed by Spanish composer David del Puerto. The choreographer and dancer is Chendra Panatan and the music is interpreted by Ananda Sukarlan.

Alio Modo is a collection of personal memory about other ways of arrival and departure. It is a dance theatre exploiting movement materials and investigates personal experiences, memories and translation of movement’s quality as well as composing the choreography into a dance theatre work. It is a journey of emotional experiences.

cited from Chendra's note

Image was taken with Canon 350D
Model & Dancer: Chendra Panatan

AUTUMN

Kala pagi terus memanggil
Bias sinar mencumbu embun….

Kala daun meninggalkan ranting
Usang jalan berserak warna….

Kala hari menjadi susut…
Dekap dingin menyengat tengkuk…

Kala Gugur menyapa….dingin menghampiri matahari.

London, Sept 2006
By: Chendra Panatan

LEAVES OF AUTUMN

As summer turns to Autumn
The leaves begin to turn.
About God's love and beauty
This is the time to learn.

Just look outside your window
At colors bright and bold.
Leaves of red and orange and brown
And some look like pure gold.

You say you don't believe in God?
I say, how can you doubt?
When you go to your window
And simply just look out.

Outside my kitchen window
A tree grow's strong and tall.
It brings such joy and peace of mind
To watch leaves of Autumn fall.

It sways in winds but never falters.
And from it's pattern never alters.
It must be God no man can say
I made that tree to look that way.

The sun rays form a halo
Around that big strong tree.
And there's a voice that seem's to say
Look up and think of Me.

By Carrie Reger.

THE ELEMENT OF NATURE

Feel the warmth of the sunlit rock and the muffled rumble underfoot the river rapids, and the sponginess beneath the soft leaf mulch. Feel the harmony of the nature elements

The camera was Hasselblad 501C with 50mm zeiss plannar, the film was Tmax 400 rated at 250 developed in Pyrocat, the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy developed in Dektol

GRANDEUR OF THE CATHEDRAL TOWER

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and part of a World Heritage Site. It is the Cathedral of the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primate of All England and religious leader of the Church of England. As well as being the mother church of the Diocese of Canterbury (east Kent) it is the focus for the Anglican Communion. The formal title is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ at Canterbury. This central tower of the cathedral was completed in 1496, replacing a Norman tower, tower with a steeple; it is built of brick and faced with stone. The bell at the top is called Bell Hary.

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 50mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was Tmax 400 rated at 320, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.

ST CUTHBERT'S CHURCHYARD

St Cuthbert's (also known as West Church) contains some of the oldest headstones in Edinburgh and, being located at the west end of Princes Street, makes an ideal diversion from the crowds of shoppers. The land lying immediately around the Church has been a place of Christian burial for a thousand years. There is a record of over 1000 graves and this was the work of John Smith.

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 80mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was Tmax 400 rated at 320, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and Ansco 120.

ST MARTIN’S HERNE

Herne, a tiny village just inland of the bay, is blessed with a magnificent church that boasts many historical associations in it's own right. It is built from a combination of flint and ragstone and work commenced during the 14th century. Probably it's most famous incumbent was Nicholas Ridley, vicar in 1538. He became bishop of Rochester in 1541 and then Bishop of London in 1544. Once in London, he was automatically involved in affairs of State. Unfortunately for him, he chose to support Lady Jane Grey's claim to the throne of England (rather than Mary). That choice was to cost him his life. After a religious debate at Oxford, he was found guilty of heresy. His punishment was to be burnt at the stake on 16 October 1555, along with bishop Hugh Latimer.

The church has a marvellous bell tower. Unlike St Marys at Hillborough, which has only one bell, St Martins can boast a full set, which can be heard for miles around. Internally, the design follows the classic standard of a larger English church. There is a great feeling of space within with splendid arches and stained glass windows. Apparently, Herne was once a chapelry (smaller parish) of Reculver. Ironic, then that St. Martins church survives whereas St. Marys at Reculver has been all but taken by the sea. (http://www.hbay.co.uk/html/stmartin.htm)

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 80mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was Ilford HP5+ 400, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.

BOROBUDUR SUNRISE

Admiring the grandeur of Borobudur at day and seeing details of each statue and stones with relief of the constructors is something that people from around the world are longing to do. However, not many people realize that Borobudur also has other unique view, namely the scenery of the beautiful rising sun that blows the statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged at the peak of the temple that was constructed in the ninth century. The rising sun with its bright light will at least encourage you to live the life one year ahead, and for sure it becomes a remembrance that wisdom or nirvana symbolized by the peak of this temple is the main destination of your life. Once the sky in the east begins to shine, you are ready to see the movement of the sunrise. Once the reddish yellow light emerges, it means dawn has come in the peak of Borobudur symbolizing nirvana. (http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-article/borobudur-sunrise/)

I used Canon 30D camera with 70-200 lens.

CLOISTER OF GLASGOW UNIVERSITY

The new University building opened officially in 1870, but because of a shortage of money the west side of the west quadrangle, the cloisters and great hall and the spire on the tower had not yet been built. A gift from the Marquess of Bute and a legacy from the industrialist and former student Charles Randolph allowed the cloisters and great hall (which was divided and named the Bute and the Randolph Halls) to be completed in 1882. The spire was added in 1883 but the west quadrangle was not completed until 1929, and then to a different design to that envisaged by the original architect, Gilbert Scott. (http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image.php?inum=TGSD00133)

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 80mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was TMax 100 rated at 64, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.

BOROBUDUR RELIEF

Borobudur is a ninth century Buddist Mahayana monument in Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome is located at the center of the top platform. It is surrounded by seventy-two perforated stupas, each containing one sitting Buddha statue.The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely, Kamadhatu (the world of desire); Rupadhatu (the world of forms); and Arupadhatu (the world of formless). During the journey, the monument guides the pilgrims through a system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the wall and the balustrades. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur)

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 50mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was Ilford HP5+ 400, developed in pyrocat, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.

GLASGOW CATHEDRAL

There is little known about the church buildings which stood on the site of the present Cathedral until the early part of the 12th century. The first stone building was consecrated in about 1136 in the presence of King David I and his Court when John (1117-1147) was Bishop. Destroyed or severely damaged by fire, this cathedral was succeeded by a larger one consecrated in 1197. The reformation done in the early 14th century, and the next major rebuilding was come later in the 13th century. After the Reformation a wall was put across the nave to allow the western portion of the nave to be used for worship by a congregation which became known as the Outer High. This congregation worshiped in the nave from 1647 until 1835. The congregation which used the Quire was for a time called the Inner High. (A Walk through Glasgow Cathedral, The Very Revd. Dr. W. J. Morris.)

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 50mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was Tmax 100 rated at 64, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.

CALTON HILL

Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh's main hills, set right in the city centre. Building began in 1822, but funds ran dry and celebrated Edinburgh architect William Playfair only got to see a facade of his building completed. It was dubbed "Edinburgh's shame" at the time (and some still say a reflection of the Edinburgh temperament - make your own conclusions), but it's now a popular landmark and it's a lot of fun crawling up and down its giant steps. The top of Calton hill is an excellent and usually quiet place to come on any day, with its grassy slopes and panoramic views of the city, including down the length of Princes street and Edinburgh castle.
(http://www.edinburghguide.com/travel/visitor/caltonhill.htm)

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 80mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was TMax 400 rated at 320 , developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.

BOROBUDUR AT WAISAK

A nicely lit Borobudur temple in central Java. During the main celebrations of Waisak here, the temple is decorated with bright light with a big altar in front. Waisak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. This celebration is enlivened by religious and social activities in Buddhist temples and centered in Borobudur as the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia. This event occur exactly on the Full Moon Purnama Sidhi. (http://www.expat.or.id/info/holidays.html)

I used Canon Eos3 Camera, with double exposure, the film is positive slide Fuji Velvia 50

THE CHOIR

England’s first truly Gothic buildings belong to the last thirty years of the twelfth century and Canterbury is among one of them. It was on September the 5th 1174 that the whole of the eastern part of the Cathedral of Canterbury was consumed by fire. The rebuilding occupied about ten years. It is characteristic of the English cathedrals to extend a long way east-wards of the central tower: nowhere is this more strikingly in evidence that at Canterbury. Moreover the whole of this part of the cathedral miraculously escaping the German bombing in 1942, remains as an authentic and very little altered building of the last quarter of the twelfth century. In most English cathedrals the choir is separated from the nave by a screen; at Canterbury not only is this the case, but the separation is further marked by a broad flight of steps leading up to the screen, the choir floor (but not its roof) being much higher than that of the nave. (Clifton-Taylor, The Cathedral of England, 1967; http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Canterbury)

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 50mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was Ilford HP5+ 400 rated in 320, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and Ansco 120.

THE BELL HARY TOWER

At Canterbury, the great central tower was finished externally towards the end of 1497, but some work still remained to be done inside, and it was not until six or seven years later than Wastell constructed the fan-vault here, his smallest but also his loveliest. Bell Hary, is a great central tower or it better say as the finest in the land, with a lantern type which means that usual lighting is enchanting. Admittedly the fans are again truncated, but here this does not matter because the four central ones melt into the four corner ones in a design of exquisite intricacy, rendered all the more telling some years ago by the application of colour to the stonework, probably in accord with the original practice. To gaze up at this vault at Canterbury is like peering into some finely wrought Gothic casket. (Clifton-Taylor, The Cathedral of England, 1967)

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 250mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was TMax 400 rated in 320, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.

THE GREAT CLOISTER

CLOISTER (Lat. claustrum; Fr. cloitre; Ital. chiostro; Span. claustro; Ger. Kloster). The word "cloister," though now restricted to the four-sided enclosure, surrounded with covered ambulatories, usually attached to coventual and cathedral churches, and sometimes to colleges, or by a still further limitation to the ambulatories themselves, originally signified the entire monastery. The cloister, with its surrounding buildings, generally stood on the south side of the church, to secure as much sunshine as possible. A very early example of this disposition is seen in the plan of the monastery of St Gall. Local requirements, in some instances, caused the cloister to be placed to the north of the church. This is the case in the English cathedrals, formerly Benedictine abbeys, of Canterbury. Canterbury Cloisters built by Henry Yevele. Canterbury cathedral had more than one cloister; there was usually a second connected with the infirmary.(Clifton-Taylor, The Cathedral of England, 1967; http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Cloister

I used a 6x6 Hasselblad 501C and 80mm zeiss plannar lens with yellow filter. The film was TMax 400 rated at 320, developed in Rodinal, and the print was made on Ilford Multigrade IV FB Glossy paper developed in Dektol and ansco 120.