John Kasaian
12-Oct-2003, 23:24
I just got a copy of Two-Hearted Oak and its become a favorite.
I happen to live in the San Joaquin Valley, which is not considered by most to be particularly photogenic. Perhaps this is because of the proximity to Yosemite, Big Sur, and Death Valley, or maybe because of pollution and urban blight. I don't know.
Loranc gives the San Joaquin Valley landscape a dignity I hadn't seen before. The ancient valley oaks loom like giants of a past age. A slough inspires as much romance as the lagoons of Venice. A vineyard stands in orderly contrast to a low, wild stampede of clouds which nourish both the soil with moisture and soul. These images are joined with visions of Vilnius and Poland. Classic european beauty that satisfies with it's history and architectural elements. Quite the opposite I'd think from the american West(at least my corner of it) but the mood this diversity of locations presents is oddly identical. Loranc does this not by "lowering" europe to match the vin ordinaire of the San Joaquin Valley, nor by elevating the sow's ear(SJV) into a fine european silk purse. The landscapes are equally beautiful and as seen through Roman Loranc's ground glass, rendered in the immediate telling present, although paradoxically they could easily have been taken 75 or 100 years ago. They are timeless. I like paradoxes!
This one will join Vittorio Sella and Bradford Washburn in my bookshelf as one of the books I look at for inspiration.
What do you think?
I happen to live in the San Joaquin Valley, which is not considered by most to be particularly photogenic. Perhaps this is because of the proximity to Yosemite, Big Sur, and Death Valley, or maybe because of pollution and urban blight. I don't know.
Loranc gives the San Joaquin Valley landscape a dignity I hadn't seen before. The ancient valley oaks loom like giants of a past age. A slough inspires as much romance as the lagoons of Venice. A vineyard stands in orderly contrast to a low, wild stampede of clouds which nourish both the soil with moisture and soul. These images are joined with visions of Vilnius and Poland. Classic european beauty that satisfies with it's history and architectural elements. Quite the opposite I'd think from the american West(at least my corner of it) but the mood this diversity of locations presents is oddly identical. Loranc does this not by "lowering" europe to match the vin ordinaire of the San Joaquin Valley, nor by elevating the sow's ear(SJV) into a fine european silk purse. The landscapes are equally beautiful and as seen through Roman Loranc's ground glass, rendered in the immediate telling present, although paradoxically they could easily have been taken 75 or 100 years ago. They are timeless. I like paradoxes!
This one will join Vittorio Sella and Bradford Washburn in my bookshelf as one of the books I look at for inspiration.
What do you think?