Photographer Figure, Ernest Braun

Ernest Braun

Ernest Braun likes nothing more than being in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains wilderness, next to a campfire, listening to the crackling embers at night. For him, this is happiness -- being close to the bubbles from melting ice, dew-covered flowers, and spider webs when the rosy glow of dawn appears.

Ernest Braun's romance with photography began more than a half-century ago, at San Diego State College, where he pondered a career as photo-journalist. A few years later, during World War II, he worked as a combat photographer for the U.S. Army. In Europe, he photographed the battles and the concentration camps, an intense experience, he recalls, "where I observed closely man's incredible inhumanity to man."

For the next 30 years, while supporting a family of seven, Ernest Braun's bread-and-butter photography revolved around a who's who of architectural, industrial, and commercial clients. Since the early 1960s, when he first strayed from his commercial work into the realm of the shoreline, tidepool, stream bank, and mountain meadow, Ernest Braun has been a dedicated advocate of the natural world. "I continue to explore the concept of moving in close and getting to know living things intimately," he says.

PUBLISHED BOOKS
· Living Water (American West)· Tideline (Viking Press)
· Exploring Pacific Coast Tidepools (Naturegraph)
· Grand Canyon of the Living Colorado (Sierra Club)· Our San Francisco (Doubleday)
· Portrait of San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area
(Graphic Arts Center)

EXHIBITS· Time-Life Gallery, New York City
· San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
· DeYoung Museum, San Francisco
· Oakland Museum
· California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

PHOTOMURAL INSTALLATIONS
· Oakland Museum, Hall of Ecology
· California Civic Center, Fairfield

EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS
Life, Look, Audobon, Oceans, Outdoor Photography, McCalls, Ladies Home Journal, Sunset, Better Homes and Gardens, House and Garden, House Beautiful, Holiday, Fortune, Modern Photography

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS
Del Monte Company, Alcoa Corp., Kaiser Aluminum, Royal Viking Line, Castle and Cook, Quantas Airlines, Ampex Corp., Hewlett Packard Co., Memorex Corp., Spectra Research, IBM Corp., Paul Masson Vineyards, Crocker Citizens Bank, Chevron Chemical Co., Georgia Pacific

TEACHING
U.C., Berkeley; U.C., San Diego; Oakland Museum; Pt. Reyes Field Seminars; Marin Discoveries; Mendocino Art Center; California Academy of Sciences; Ansel Adams Workshops; Environmental photography workshops in Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos islands, Alaska, Kenya, Tyrolian Alps, New Zealand, China, American southwest and west

AWARDS
· Life Magazine Photographic Contest, first prize
· AIA Architectural Gold Medal
· Los Angeles Art Directors and Artists Club
· San Francisco Art Directors Club

Soon I will be able to be like you, Ernest Braun. #DecemberWish :) Sure, I can Be!!

Just The Way You Are

Oh her eyes, her eyes

Make the stars look like they're not shining

Her hair, her hair

Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful

And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know

When I compliment her

She wont believe me

And its so, its so

Sad to think she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay

I say

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile,

The whole world stops and stares for awhile

Cause girl you're amazing

Just the way you are

Her nails, her nails

I could kiss them all day if she'd let me

Her laugh, her laugh

She hates but I think its so sexy

She's so beautiful

And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know

I'd never ask you to change

If perfect is what you're searching for

Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking

If you look okay

You know I say

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile,

The whole world stops and stares for awhile

Cause girl you're amazing

Just the way you are

The way you are

The way you are

Girl you're amazing

Just the way you are

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile,

The whole world stops and stares for awhile

Cause girl you're amazing

Just the way you are

Who is the prophet Muhammad pbuh.?

Muhammad pbuh was born in Makkah in the year 570. Since his father died before his birth and his mother died shortly thereafter, he was raised by his uncle who was from the respected tribe of Quraysh. He was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained so till his death. His people, before his mission as a prophet, were ignorant of science and most of them were illiterate. As he grew up, he became known to be truthful, honest, trustworthy, generous, and sincere. He was so trustworthy that they called him the Trustworthy. Muhammad pbuh was very religious, and he had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society.

At the age of forty, Muhammad pbuh received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. The revelations continued for twenty-three years, and they are collectively known as the Quran.

As soon as he began to recite the Quran and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered persecution from unbelievers. The persecution grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This emigration from Makkah to the city of Madinah, some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

After several years, Muhammad pbuh and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies. Before Muhammad pbuh died, at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the truth and clarity of its doctrine. Islam calls for faith in only one God, Who is the only one worthy of worship.

The Prophet Muhammad pbuh was a perfect example of an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human being. Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil characteristics and strove solely for the sake of God and His reward in the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of God

Source of this article:

http://www.mohammad-pbuh.com/

Siapakah Nabi Muhammad SAW itu?

Nabi Muhammad SAW lahir di Makkah pada tahun 570. Sejak ayahnya meninggal sebelum kelahirannya dan ibunya meninggal tidak lama kemudian, ia dibesarkan oleh pamannya yang berasal dari suku Quraisy yang dihormati. Dia diangkat dari buta huruf, tidak dapat membaca atau menulis, dan tetap demikian sampai kematiannya. umat-Nya, sebelum misinya sebagai nabi, tidak mengetahui ilmu pengetahuan dan kebanyakan dari mereka buta huruf. Ketika ia tumbuh dewasa, ia menjadi dikenal jujur, jujur, dapat dipercaya, murah hati, dan tulus. Dia sangat terpercaya yang mereka sebut dia Terpercaya. Muhammad saw sangat agamis, dan dia sudah lama membenci pada kemerosotan moral dan penyembahan berhala masyarakat nya.

Pada usia empat puluh, Muhammad SAW menerima wahyu pertamanya dari Allah melalui Malaikat Jibril. Ayat-ayat turun berlangsung selama dua puluh tiga tahun, dan itu semua secara kolektif dikenal sebagai Quran.

Begitu ia memulai membaca Quran dan memberitakan kebenaran yang Allah telah turunkan padanya, ia dan sekelompok kecil pengikutnya mengalami penganiayaan dari orang-orang kafir. Penganiayaan sangat sengit, sehingga pada tahun 622 Allah memerintahkan mereka untuk berhijrah. Perpindahan ini dari Mekah ke kota Madinah, sekitar 260 kilometer ke arah utara, menandai awal kalender Islam.

Setelah beberapa tahun, Muhammad SAW dan para pengikutnya dapat kembali ke Mekah, di mana mereka memaafkan musuh-musuh mereka. Sebelum Muhammad SAW meninggal, pada usia enam puluh, tiga sebagian besar Jazirah Arab telah menjadi daerah kekuasaan Islam, dan dalam abad kematiannya, Islam telah menyebar ke Spanyol Barat dan Cina timur. Di antara alasan dalam penyebaran Islam adalah kebenaran dan kejelasan doktrinnya. Islam menyeru karena iman hanya satu Allah, yang satu-satunya patut disembah.

Nabi Muhammad saw adalah contoh sempurna yang jujur, adil, murah hati, belas kasih, jujur, dan manusia yang berani. Meskipun ia adalah seorang pria, ia jauh dari semua karakteristik jahat dan berjuang semata-mata demi Allah dan pahala-Nya di akhirat. Selain itu, dalam semua tindakan dan perilaku, ia selalu waspada dan takut kepada Allah.

Translation of Quran - Sahih Internasional and Muhsin Khan Version

Surah Al-Baqarah (2)

Ayah 1

Shahih Internasional:

Alif, Lam, Mim

*Alif, Lam, Mim

Muhsin Khan:

Alif-Lam-Mim [These letters are one of the miracles of Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

*Alif-Lam-Mim [Huruf-huruf ini adalah salah satu keajaiban Quran dan tidak ada selain Allah (Seorang) yang mengetahui maknanya].

***

Ayah 2

Shahih Internasional:

This is the book about there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.

*Ini adalah Kitab yang tidak ada keraguan, menjadi petunjuk bagi mereka yang sadar Allah.

Muhsin Khan:

This is the book (The Quran) whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which he has ordained)].

*Ini adalah Kitab (Quran) kadarnya tidak ada keraguan, menjadi petunjuk bagi mereka yang Al-Muttaqun (bertaqwa) [orang-orang sholeh dan orang-orang benar yang sangat takut kepada Allah (menjauhkan diri dari segala macam dosa dan perbuatan jahat yang telah dilarang) dan sangat cinta kepada Allah (melakukan semua jenis perbuatan baik yang telah Ia tahbiskan)].

***

Ayah 3

Shahih Internasional:

Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.

*Orang-orang yang percaya pada yang gaib, mendirikan salat, dan menghabiskan dari apa yang Kami telah sediakan untuk mereka.

Muhsin Khan:

Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what We have provided for them [i.e. give Zakat, spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc. and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah’s cause-Jihad, etc.].

*Orang-orang yang percaya pada Ghaib dan melakukan shalat (Iqamat-as-Salat), dan menghabiskan dari apa yang Kami telah sediakan bagi mereka [yaitu memberikan zakat, mengeluarkan untuk diri mereka sendiri, orang tua mereka, anak-anak mereka, istri-istri mereka, dll, dan juga memberi sedekah kepada orang miskin serta dalam jihad karena Allah, dll].

***

Ayah 4

Shahih Internasional:

And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].

*Dan orang-orang yang percaya pada apa yang telah diwahyukan kepadamu, [Wahai Muhammad], dan apa yang diturunkan sebelum kamu, dan mereka yakin terhadap akhirat [dalam iman].

Muhsin Khan:

And who believe in (The Quran and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad Peace be upon him) and in (the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] which were sent down before you and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad seeds, paradise and hell, etc.).

*Dan orang-orang yang percaya (Quran dan Sunnah) yang telah diturunkan (diwahyukan) kepada kamu (Muhammad pembawa kedamaian) dan didalam (Taurat dan Injil, dll] yang diturunkan sebelum kamu dan mereka percaya dengan pasti di akhirat. (kiamat, balasan perbuatan baik dan buruk mereka, surga dan neraka, dll).

***

Ayah 5

Shahih Internasional:

Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.

*Mereka berada diatas petunjuk [yang benar] dari Tuhan mereka, dan merekalah orang-orang yang berbahagia.

Muhsin Khan:

They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.

*Mereka berada dalam petunjuk (yang benar) dari Tuhan mereka, dan mereka adalah orang-orang yang berbahagia.

***

Ayah 6

Shahih Internasional:

Indeed, those who disbelieve – it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them – they will not believe

*Sesungguhnya, orang-orang yang kafir – semua sama saja bagi mereka apakah kamu beri peringatan atau tidak kamu beri peringatan kepada mereka - mereka tidak akan beriman.

Muhsin Khan:

Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe.

*Sesungguhnya, orang-orang kafir, sama saja bagi mereka apakah kamu (hai Muhammad pembawa kedamaian) beri peringatan atau tidak kamu beri peringatan, mereka tidak akan beriman.

***

Ayah 7

Shahih Internasional:

Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.

*Allah telah menetapkan mati pada hati mereka dan atas pendengaran mereka, dan menutup penglihatan mereka. Dan bagi mereka azab yang besar.

Muhsin Khan:

Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearings, (i.e. they are closed from accepting Allah’s Guidance), and on their eyes there is covering. Theirs will be a great torment.

*Allah telah menetapkan di dalam hati mereka dan pada sidang mereka, (yaitu mereka tertutup dari petunjuk Allah yang diberikan), dan di mata mereka ada yang menutupi. Mereka akan mendapat siksaan yang besar.

***

Ayah 8

Shahih Internasional:

And of the people are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” but they are not believers.

*Dan orang-orang yang mengatakan, "Kami beriman kepada Allah dan hari kemudian," tetapi mereka tidak beriman.

Muhsin Khan:

And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say “We believe in Allah and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not.

*Dan di antara manusia, ada beberapa (orang munafik) yang berkata "Kami beriman kepada Allah dan hari akhirat" padahal mereka tidak beriman.

***

Ayah 9

Shahih Internasional:

They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive (it) not.

*Mereka [berpikir untuk] menipu Allah dan orang-orang yang beriman, tetapi mereka tidak menipu kecuali diri mereka sendiri dan mereka itu tidak merasa.

Muhsin Khan:

They (think to) deceive Allah and those whose believe, while they only deceive themselves and perceive (it) not!

*Mereka (berpikir untuk) menipu Allah dan orang-orang yang beriman, sementara mereka hanya menipu diri mereka sendiri dan mereka itu tidak merasa.

***

Ayah 10

Shahih Internasional:

In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they (habitually) used to lie.

*Dalam hati mereka ada penyakit, maka Allah telah meningkatkan penyakit mereka dan bagi mereka azab yang pedih karena mereka (biasa) untuk berbohong.

Muhsin Khan:

In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah had increased their disease. A painful torment.

*Dalam hati mereka ada penyakit (keraguan dan kemunafikan) dan Allah telah meningkatkan penyakit mereka. Sebuah siksaan yang menyakitkan.

***

Bring Hands, Join Hearts That's the Beauty Gathering On the Day of Our Victory Match Sincerity to Forgive Each Other

Irsyad & Family
Say

"Taqobbalallahu Minna Wa Minkum"

Happy Idul Fitri 1st Shawwaal 1431 H

Let's get together to welcome the day that FITRI

*
Sebulan sudah kita jalani Ramadhan bersama
Malam penghujung hari yang indah ini
Genderang Perang sudah di tabuh.
Pekik Kemenangan dikumandangkan
Alunan Nada Pengagungan dinyanyikan
Suara Riang Gembira berkeliling kota
Ramadhan dengan segala perniknya telah kita lewati bersama
Demi Masa sesungguhnya manusia itu merugi
Mudah mudahan Jerit kemenangan ada dalam diri kita semua
Sebab tiadalah semua ini kecuali kembali kepada Fitrah Diri
Mari bersama kita saling mensucikan diri menuju Illahi Robby
Membersihkan diri melangkah menemukan diri sebenar diri
Mulai menghampiri DIA tulus ikhlas karena CINTA
Meraih keselarasan diri dalam Ketenangan Jiwa
Bebenah dan jadikan momentum kemenangan ini
Menjadi Manusia seutuhnya meliputi lahir bathin
Dahulu datang putih suci bersih
Mudah mudahan kembali suci putih bersih
Tiada kata yang terungkap lagi
Mari kita bersama menyambut hari yang FITRI
Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1431 H
Taqoba lallahu minnaa wa minkum
Mohon maaf lahir dan batin

***

My Friends, My Everything and My All. DOT

Teman adalah kata sederhana yang tersusun dari lima huruf abjad yang mepunyai makna besar dan membuat sejarah. Kita hidup tersenyum dan sedih hingga sebesar ini tak lepas dari keterkaitan seorang teman, kita menangis ingin dibelikan mainan karena teman. Tertawa karena kekonyolan mereka. Menghabiskan waktu disekolah bersama teman, terkadang sisa waktu setelah sekolahpun, dihabiskan pula dengan mereka. Begitu berartinya makna teman dalam hidup. Membuat cerita-cerita lucu, mengerikan, permusuhan, bahkan cerita ‘baikan’ sekalipun yang diidentikan dengan bersatunya jari kelingking yang melilit diantara jari kita dan teman, masih teringat dalam ingatan, dahulu kita menyebutkan ’pacantel’ agar kita dapat tersenyum kembali, bermain bersama. Sungguh, semua itu akan menjadi sejarah penting dan menjadi bingkai cerita terindah dalam hidup bagi setiap orang yang merasakannya.

Orang bilang, teman itu segalanya. Selalu menemani kita, dikala senang atau sedih. Jika aku ibaratkan, mereka selalu dekat bagaikan jari telunjuk dan jari tengah, atau jari kelingking dan jari manisnya yang tak akan pernah terhalang oleh ibu jari.
Memang benar, tak seorangpun yang tak butuh seorang teman. seluruh manusia di dunia merasakannya, karena kodratnya manusia memang diciptakan lemah yang membutuhkan sesamanya untuk berjuang melawan jahatnya dunia.

Teman menggenggam masalah-masalah. Teman menguatkan jiwa yang rapuh. Teman membuat kening kita mengkerut. Teman membuat kita tertawa lepas. Teman membuat kita gundah dan meneteskan air mata. Teman membuat kisah yang menyenangkan dan tak terlupakan dalam hidup. Teman memberikan semangat. Mecintai sepenuh hati. Menjauhi karena peduli. Allright! Mereka meringankan masalah yang kita pikul saat ini sehingga kita bisa berdiri tegak dengan senyum yang lebar, menghangatkan hati yang beku. Namun terkadang membuat kita mengkerutkan kening dan ingin jauh dari mereka, hanya karena keegoisan dan ketidak sadaran kita, karena setulusnya mereka peduli terhadap kita.

Teman merupakan anugrah Sang Pencipta kepada setiap makhluk yang diciptakanNya yang patut dan seharusnya kita syukuri. What’s the meaning of life without them? (apalah arti hidup jika tanpa mereka?) Syukurku kepada Sang Pemberi Kasih Sayang telah menciptakan mereka untukku. Teman-temanku selamanya aku tak mau kehilangan kalian.

Ketulasanmu adalah ketulusanku, Senyummu juga senyumku, bahagiamu bahagiaku pula. Sedihmupun akan menjadi sedihku.

I have never felt regret at all, having you.
You’re my All.
Thank you for you had been my friend.
You have filled my beauty life story together with.
You will be always in my heart.
Forever.

For my best friends that I had in this world and always beside me although wherever you are.
<3