Silent Moments 2007-10-26 01:48:00 We live a frantic, fast-paced life. At times, everything around us is a blur of movements, a flurry of activities, a rush of chores and things to do. We overlook how it is to stay still, to pause and take stock of the moment. I took a picture of this guy one morning in the remote coastal village of Barobo in the province of Surigao del Sur. He was very still, probably deep in thought, staring at the calm waters. I envied him. I have spent more than half of my life in the chaotic, concrete jungle of Metro Manila, jostling my way in the big city with 15 million other souls. Yet in the countryside, people like the guy above can afford the luxury of peace and tranquility, enjoying the gift of surrounding silence, able to think deeply without distraction in priceless moments of quietude. I was so taken in by the scene before me that I kept clicking, forgetting all together the rule of thirds, and had the subject smack right in the middle! Read more:Moments
, Silent
Chroniclers of Beauty 2007-10-23 22:48:00 An English songwriter once said: "I am a messenger of the beauty of creation." Photographers passionate about their craft, particularly those who specialize in landscape, travel, environment, nature and wildlife, are indeed bearers of the world's wonders. I am still awed, and probably everyone else, of National Geographic images produced by top-notch professionals. At times we come across pictures of wildlife taken by amateurs like my Fotothing friend Bill Haack, and yet the quality of their images is spectacular. I find this class of photographers a special breed. I take pictures of just about anything, but have a special liking to nature photography. Admittedly, I have much to learn and my images are a far cry from the works of those I have mentioned who are, truly, recorders of the earth's majesty. Read more:Beauty
Sunsets, Sunrises & Silhouettes 2007-10-20 06:37:00 Nature's grandeur meets us every start and end of the day. Their magnificent glows, glorious light rays, marvelous sky colors, shapely cloud formations, as well as interesting shadows and silhouettes that are formed, make sunsets and sunrises top subjects of photographers. Here is a showcase of beautiful images on these subjects taken by the Pinoy Kodakeros. Enjoy this visual feast. Read more:Silhouettes
, Sunsets
Break of Dawn 2007-10-18 00:41:00 It was all so quiet as I as moved to the shore that morning. The stillness was broken by occasional lashing of small waves on crushed corals and grainy sand, chirping of birds as they passed overhead, gentle gush of cool wind here and there, and rustling of palm leaves in the background. My mind, however, was never still. I imagined a concierto...the rousing opening of Beethoven's 5th Symphony, as a tinge of light breaks in the horizon, getting brighter, eventually saturating the skies in full glorious yellow. The break of dawn is a daily miracle in our lives. We may not appreciate its comings and repetitions. But it is always there, personal and perfect, signalling another day, marking another milestone, ushering yet another 24-hour chapter in this lifetime of meanings, memories and messages. Read more:Break
Things to do in Subic 2007-10-14 02:11:00 Hmm...jetski (obviously, with this pic), swimming, sailing, kayaking, diving, parasailing, fishing, cruising or yachting. That's for water activities alone. This former site of a US military base which is now an economic zone, offers much more for the eco-tourist, sportsman and adventurer at heart. Subic Bay Portal lists the essentials - what to do, where to stay, eat, shop and how to get around. You can also get information on land and eco-activites, theme parks, gaming and nightlife (yes sir, the bustling city of Olongapo is situated there). Since Subic Bay is just a three hour ride from Metro Manila, it is a fave weekend destination for work-weary and stress-laden metropolitans.
Beautiful Bohol 2007-10-11 19:40:00 The island province of Bohol is one of the Philippine's premiere tourist destinations. One can even visit the island's best attractions in a day. Bohol-Island.com gives a summary of delightful offerings: the geological wonder that is the 1,200 identical mounds known as the Chocolate Hills, perfect white-sand beaches, crystal blue sea waters, great scuba diving spots, majestic caves and waterfalls, man-made forest, the deep-green Loboc River, centuries-old churches, exotic flora and fauna, and of course its charming and hospitable local folks. Special mention - tranquil, romantic havens for relaxing and enjoying a sunset. Read more:Beautiful
Pastel Sky 2007-10-11 02:46:00 Is photography art? Many consider it inferior to the traditional painting, drawing or sculpting which requires the combination of creativitity, imagination and coordination of mind, heart, hands, eyes and skill. A camera is just a machine that captures images wherever you point it to. True. But behind that machine is also a heart, mind, hands and eyes which determine focus, composition and lighting, recognize pattern, shapes, texture, and instill beauty in everyday subjects that are shot, framed and captured. Read more:Pastel
Love's View 2007-10-09 20:51:00 Soul singer Lou Rawls croons with his trademark baritone - "Love is in the air, everytime you look around..." Indeed! With a mountain top view like this, you can't help but snuggle up to your partner, like the two lovebirds, and just enjoy the cool, fresh air and pristine, relaxing sight. This park, perched on a mountain's upper slope, offers a panoramic view of the metropolitan city of Cebu and is a favorite nature getaway of locals and tourists.
Over The Rainbow 2007-10-09 00:20:00 There's something magical when you see a rainbow. Though science has long unlocked its mystery, rainbows still amaze us, not only because of their colors (I still remember ROY G BIV which stand for each rainbow color) and majectic arcs, but also of their brief and enigmatic presence. You never know when and where they will form. I have never seen one forming. I see a rainbow already full and formed, then another minute its gone. Its this character which makes rainbow images special. You can visit Crystalinks.com which has a gallery of marvelous and interesting rainbow photos. Read more:Rainbow
The Shape 2007-10-07 21:17:00 A photographer friend told me the photo above reminds him of a tripod. I was observing this girl during a beach outing, and as soon as she stooped to write in the sand, I clicked. People come in different shapes and sizes and it's interesting to take photos of them even in awkward poses or angles. Eyes are drawn towards the triangular form or even diagonal and vertical lines. Add to that a gradation of colors as backdrop and voila! I had the shape and the shot. Read more:Shape
Sunset Shot 2007-10-05 21:19:00 How do you shoot one of the most beautiful and favorite subjects of photographers? Basic-Digital-Photography.com offers some tips on photographing sunsets: 1. Get a full view, such as perching yourself on a high point; 2. Keep shooting, to get as many shots as you can and select the best; 3. Look for cloudy skies to add color and texture to your shot; 4. Shoot off-center, and get many interesting silhouette effects; 5. Use multiple exposure settings; and 6. Zoom in, to make the sun larger and more impressive. Does my shot above follow the basics? Read more:Sunset
Work With A Smile 2007-10-05 00:39:00 How pleasant and inspiring to see people work with smiles on their faces. This rice farmer may have given such facial expression at that moment only for the camera, yet it teaches us something on a broader aspect. No matter what our load, burdens or problems in life, the daily grinds we go through, we must exude a positive outlook, always hope for the best, say our prayers, and carry that joy-elevating, mood-boosting, infectious smile. As Snopes.com banners it:"Happiness Is Only Grin Deep." Read more:Smile
A Symbol of Faith 2007-10-04 11:28:00 The Philippines is the only predominantly Catholic country in Southeast Asia. Ninety percent of its people embrace the Catholic faith, a result of 300 years of Spanish colonization which started when Ferdinand Magellan discovered the archipelagic islands on March 16, 1521. The Christian symbol depicted in the photo above, thus, holds great meaning for a populace who holds high the values and teachings of Christianity. Read more:Faith
, Symbol
Dinner by the Sea 2007-10-03 21:21:00 You reserved this table in this exact romantic spot. It's late afternoon and the soft, soothing wind tickles. There is excitement and anticipation as you pull a chair for your date. You settle on the other seat, right across her. You gazed at her eyes, lips...their is something angelic in her face...or is it just a beautiful aura that glows. Then you hear a sound from somewhere...incomprehensible murmurs at first, asking but getting louder...begging, groaning, getting louder...."Hey!!!" You snap out from daydreaming as your date yells with enough authority to send the breeze back to the sea: "I'm famish! Can we order now?" Read more:Dinner
Water Lover 2007-10-02 23:30:00 With a country coastline stretching over 21,500 miles, Filipinos are natural seafarers and perennial beach-goers. Families usually reserve holidays for beach outings. Of course, the Philippines boast some of the best beaches in the world. Boracay is a by-word. But it is just one of many wonderful water destinations. Never wonder if most of my photos feature beaches, seas and waterfronts...a Philippine scenery is never complete without them.
Rock Isle 2007-10-02 04:53:00 Nature can be soooo tempting! Yes folks, dive right in!
Family Moment 2007-10-02 00:05:00 The human eye can be trained to pick up patterns, textures, subtleties like ripples, shades and hues. It can distinguish 16 million colors and variations and boast of the highest resolution. If the best digicam can top out at 12megapixels and film cameras at 20megapixels, a 20/20 vision has a resolution of 120MP! Read more:Family
, Moment
Isla Verde 2007-10-01 03:05:00 What could be more spectacular than the mighty sun about to set on the horizon, ending another day and heralding the coming of the moon and stars, affording us mortals the chance to rest and recharge in this time-cycle of life? A Jollibee Champ burger or Chickenjoy maybe? Nah! They are better consumed with your favorite up-size beverage while enjoying this scene...
Rural Reflections 2007-10-01 01:42:00 Inside this one-room lodges are the barest of essentials - a hard cot to lie on, pillow and sheet, table and chair and electric fan (more to blow away the mosquitos at night; the sea brings in the cool breeze) but the atmosphere on the veranda (on the other side facing the sea) at dawn is marvelous. Let me describe it this way - if you could ever "smell", "feel" and "hear" morning tranquility - that's it! Read more:Reflections
, Rural
Rice Farmer 2007-09-30 01:15:00 There are three million rice farmers in the Philippines who labor to plant and harvest rice that there may be food to eat at the tables of 89 million Filipinos. Theirs is a back-breaking toil which offer little monetary returns, yet they pursue with their work knowing that the sustenance of a nation lies in their industry. This image is a salute to these unsung heroes!
Northern Sunset 2007-09-29 06:56:00 Our convoy had to stop on the side of the highway. We had to pause to take in the magnificent view. We were en route to Manila, but still had 8 long hours of travel. The scene was a welcome respite. We also had to stretch our legs that were feeling cramped. I gazed at the sunset and felt meditative. An image like this makes you ponder about life in general - work, family, loved ones, work , deadlines, staff meetings, paperwork...work! I had to snap out from a repetitive reverie! Off we went and continued our way back to the urban jungle of Metro Manila. Read more:Northern
, Sunset
Flower Power 2007-10-28 04:45:00 One of the most colorful subjects are flowers. They are vivid, bright, lively and dreamy especially with those droplets after a rain. Their shapes are varied, elegant, flamboyant, fluid. More than an irresistible attraction to photographers, painters and artists, people in general love flowers. In his discourse, Henry Ward Beecher explains why: "Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock." The gallery of Pinoy Kodakeros is full of these floral subjects - rich, stimulating images. Here are some samples. (Photo above is the Sampaguita, national flower of the Philippines) Read more:Flower Power
The Pinoy as Photographer 2007-11-04 07:11:00 This photo blog is just over a month old. I started it as a site to display local scenic sights. Yet more than that, this site is a tribute to the excellence of Filipino Photographer
s, literally translated in Tagalog slang as "Pinoy
Kodakeros". For the past two years I came to know and became friends with Filipinos living in different parts of the world who all share a passion for photography. Some are overseas contract workers, others are immigrants. All are amateurs like me, and are fond of uploading images in photo sharing sites. We hooked up on one photo site, exchanged comments and messages, gave each other our cellphone numbers, and when anyone of them came to Manila from abroad or from the provinces, we would set up an "eyeball" or meet up. Get togethers would actually be shooting sessions. One friend who came home and met up with me goes by the username QC who lives in Toronto, Canada with his family. I knew our first meeting would be a session, so I brought him to nearby Quezo
A Matter of Luck 2007-11-01 23:23:00 One finds stunning landscapes in travel magazines, and one wonders "how did they get that?" Did the photographer wait patiently for the right moment when all essential elements converge to produce a magnificent sight? Can this be taken only with a DSLR? On a tripod? Now was this "photoshoped"? The condition was this when I took the above pic in Batangas Bay: I woke up and it was still dim so I decided to walk along the shore hoping that I would catch a lovely sunrise. Thirty minutes after and 200 meters from my cottage, the sun began to climb and I came upon a banca (small boat). I crouched to compose the shot and, yes, the elements I hoped for were there. No, I didn't have a tripod, which was a mistake. My cam? Not a DSLR but still a reliable one: a Canon S2-IS. I am not a fan of Photoshop but the image above underwent simple editing. Using Photoscape, I had the colors mildly deepened and edges a bit sharpened. A photographer once said that taking a good shot is a matter of luck. I
Bay Watch 2007-11-08 22:28:00 Another thing which I haven't been able to do is photograph the famous sunset over Manila Bay. Time and traffic are the greatest deterrents. From Quezon City I wouldn't dare go to Roxas Boulevard in the middle of rush hours during weekdays. And on weekends where traffic is lighter, I'm bogged down with family and house chores (yes, aside from running my own business, I'm a certified houseband...hehe). But one weekend I had the opportunity to drop by the noted baywalk strip. Unfortunately, it was noontime and the skies were overcast. However, devoid of harsh, bright lights gave me perfect photo moments, such as the above - a guy strolling along who paused to enjoy the bay view - enough time for me to snap a shot. To photograph the bay sunset tops my wish list. And if ever my photo guardian angel grants me this, I hope luck would be on my shoot.
Silver Ripples, Simple Pleasures 2007-11-06 01:19:00 This is a list of simple (or not too simple) things I would like to do, given the time and opportunity. By the way, all of these I haven't done yet: 1) Take a boat ride around a lake (such as the photo above which I took in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato); 2) Go horseback riding; 3) Take a rollercoaster ride; 4) Take that one-day tour to Corregidor Island; 5) Trek to the Banawe Rice Terraces; 6) Go para-gliding; 7) Take a bus ride from Manila to Davao City (I think that would take three days!); 8) Climb Mt. Apo, the Philippine's highest peak (dear me, this may be beyond my physical capacity, so any small mountain will do); 9) Go scuba-diving; and 10) Go dolphin or whale-watching (which I wasn't able to do in Bohol). You may have noticed most of these involve travelling. Well, for a shutterbug like me, it's an excuse to take photographs. Read more:Silver
, Simple
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