Matt Oxman

“Wow! This image is captivating. California Dreaming? I can feel the sunshine and the wind blowing through my hair. Although the image seems simple, it has many layers. First, I see the young woman on her bike and then the palms. The texture of the tire tracks in the sand forms an elegant S shape, sweeping my eye through the frame and back to a wave in the distance that is almost blown out, but still keeps its form. In the last layer, the Santa Monica Mountains add the final touch. Forgive me if the photo was not taken in Southern California, but I’d be shocked if it wasn’t. The image is both dreamy and timeless. Was it taken in the 1950’s or in 2014? Without her polka dot dress gently blowing in the wind and her circular glasses the photo wouldn’t have the same nostalgia that transports the viewer to another time. The crossed palms balance the frame and add to the multiple triangles found throughout the image. I believe there is a sailboat caught directly between the two trees, but I may be imagining it. The blue sky above lets me breathe and adds to the overall feeling of relaxation. The image as a whole makes me wonder: why the hell am I behind a computer right now!” – Ivan Kashinsky