on Sunrise and Landscapes

"Any idiot can complicate things, but you need a genius to simplify them..." -- Albert Einstein

I had a chance, over the weekend to visit the Panabo Mariculture park. It has been two years since I first went there. Back then, I knew very little about landscape photography. Well, not much has change apparently because I still don't know squat about shooting landscapes. And I have had very little practice over the time skip.

And since I had little practice and do not even own a wide angle lens (I had to borrow a kit lens for this shoot), I spent a lot of time figuring out how to properly frame my shot and get just the right amount of light into my shots. This is one thing I do not like about landscapes since I have only a short period of time in which I can shoot a scene during sunrise or sunset. And I forgot that I could extend my tripod to eye level so I was shooting really low and got a lot of mud in the foreground since the tide was coming in slowly. I got a few (subjectively) "good" frames from the sunrise shoot.

Shooting landscapes for me are a taxing endeavor. I have to wake up really early (or not sleep at all) and shoot only for a limited amount of time. And timing is everything since overcasts and rain can ruin a trip. Well, I am admittedly still learning; it’s a process. And after the shoot, I told my fellow shooters that I'd be tagging along more often to the landscape shoots so I can learn. I do hope that I will learn more the next time I shoot.

PS: Many thanks to the Ange Bersabal and the Photobombers for organizing this landscape shoot.

On Insects and People

A client once asked me: why do you spend more time shooting insects than shooting people?

She probably wondered because I told her that I spent a lot of time shooting macro when I should be out earning a living to support my hobby. I know insects can't pay me. In fact, I spent more on macro stuff than any other type of gear; I even use my only portraiture lens for macro purposes. The return on investment is practically zero in macro photography. Nobody wants to buy stock photos since its too easy to just go out and shoot. And those darn macro lenses are so darn expensive.

So why do I do it?

Well, for one, there is a different sort of satisfaction in taking photos and learning at the same time. You get to observe insects and other living things up close. You learn how they move, react to people and what they are made of. It's fun to spend hours on end crawling and searching for new insects in a grassy field; cuts, itching and all. And shooting macro is no easy feat especially with jittery insects and all the things that crawl around your feet. I developed discipline and patience; moving slowly and not rushing into things is key in this field.

And there are other things as well...

Insects do not complain how you shoot or what your output looks like after. They don't dictate to you anything and they don't make faces when they aren't happy. Oh, and they trust you fully. How can I say they trust me? Because they sit still. If they don't trust me, they just simply jump or fly away. No words said, no complains, they will just let you shoot if they want you too; creative freedom at its finest.

I wish people were more trusting or honest just like insects.

And lastly, unlike most other hobbyists who aspire to become pro photographers, I do not aim to be like Lito Sy, Dino Lara or any of the other big name photographers. My dream is to be a National Geographic Society photographer. Now, I can't name any NatGeo photographers even after watching that special on macro photography; but I do know I want to be one. Growing up, my dad a whole collection of NatGeo magazines and I read every one of them. And ever since, I wanted to take those kinds of pictures. Shooting macro is my way of somehow living my dream. I am not a NatGeo photographer (yet), but at least I am making interesting photos. That in its self is worth the time and money I spend.

So there... I am, and will always be a macro photographer first and everything else second.

(I'll leave you with my newest addition to my growing macro insect dictionary.) :D

Tortoise Beetle

White Leafhopper

Derbid Bug

The 2010 TO DO List

It’s the first working day of the year. I don’t feel any changes yet but I think that they will come soon enough. All I have to worry about right now is how to further progress in my field and in my fields of interest. And I am making a "TO DO" list for 2010 and hopefully fulfill whatever I set out to do this year. So here goes:

- Travel.
I need to travel since I have been stuck in Davao for the last two years. I want to go to Manila to see my friends and relatives (and get a copy of my transcript). And I want to go to places where I can take pretty landscape photos.

- Get started on my MBA degree.
I have been putting this one on hold for the last two years. I hope this year I will find the time and the finances to further my career. It’s one of those things that I need to do to get a better job.

- Take at least one good photo everyday (or 7 a week, whichever is much more convenient).
I read about this Project365 on the internet where photographers take at least one picture everyday so that they can hone their skills in photography. And since I want to get better at photography, then I might as well try it. I don't think it will be too much of a hassle for me and it’s interesting to see if I really have the patience for this hobby.

- Gain around 10 pounds of lean muscle mass.
I know people never really get contented with what they have but then again, I'm putting a limit to what I want to look like. I don't want to be bulky and muscle-bound like other guys. I just want to be lean and just have enough muscle that I wouldn't be shy about taking my shirt off. =P

- Fix all those Government IDs and whatnots.
My TIN and SSS IDs are both in Manila. I need to change my address to Davao City. And I need to fix other stuff like PhilHealth and HDMF records too. What a drag.

- Open a savings account.
I need to do this so that I won't spend as much of my salary as I am now. I really need to save up for the stuff I need and want. Right now, I can't control spending because there is a lot of ready cash available in my ATM.

- Write more.
Before, I write about once a week. But since I have been busy with other things, I'd like to make it a point to write at least twice a month. And perhaps make some photo blogs too.

- Continue living a Healthy Lifestyle.
I really don't need to emphasize more on this one.
- Get a new credit card.
My current credit card is a hassle because not all stores accept it and most that do not offer installments. It's a pain when shopping for big items like camera stuff. I need to get perhaps a BDO or HSBC card but one would be enough for my purposes.

- Buy a new camera lens and bag.
I need just one lens (a 55-200mm zoom lens) and a backpack. And I need a few other stuff like flash, IR remote trigger, extra batteries and filters. But I won't spend that much on accessories right now, maybe when I get Photo-ops in the coming months. Right now, I'll just have to make do with what I have.

There, 10 things I need/want to do this 2010. I'll add more as I go along. I hope that I'll be able to do all of them this year (or at least most). And I hope that all of you will have a great 2010 too!

Christmas Wish List 2009

It’s almost Christmas and everybody is done with their shopping spree. I, on the other hand, have been to busy to even think about the things I want under the Christmas Tree. But being grown-up and preoccupied with the world doesn't mean that I can't be a kid sometimes; especially during the Christmas season. I heard somewhere that kids these days have an average of 15 items on their Christmas wishlist; so I will do the same. Perhaps, it won’t be too late for Santa to grant them.



1. Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm VR Lens. (this will look awesome on my d3000!)
2. A Tamrac / Kata / Lowepro backpack with tripod sling.
3. Whey Protein Supplements.
4. A 22" Samsung HD LCD Monitor.
5. 5 or more boxes of Hawiian Host Macademia Nuts Chocolates
6. A new Slazenger Badminton Racket
7. Adidas Gym Bag with the shoe pouch
8. The Black Ferrari Jacket from Puma
9. Nike Weights Training Gloves
10. T-shirts from Nike or Adidas
11. Licensed Adobe Photoshop CS4 with Lightroom
12. Slippers / Sandals from Puma or Reebok
13. A Round Trip ticket to any of the Asian Cities that will host an F1 race (plus tickets to the race and hotel accomodations.)
14. 12 Months Gym Membership to Holiday Spa
15. And last but not least, lots of Fruitcake (as always)!



And as always I also wish for PEACE on Earth and STOP GLOBAL WARMING (the penguins are suffering.)! And also for justice for those victims of the recent massacre and continued recovery for the victims of the massive flooding in Luzon.

For my last wish, I wish to spend this Christmas with all of my friends. I want to make up for all the times I have been very busy this past year.

Merry Christmas to everyone!