My New Toy, the Nokia N8

Sorry, this shot was taken by my Nokia C2-00

Ever since my Nokia N82 died, I have been wondering what phone to use next as a backup camera from my Lumix and then, Nokia N8 was born. It was publicly announced last October 2010 but was able to own it only this November 2011. That was after year, it was because of my very busy schedule that I wasn't able to buy this phone immediately also, I haven't saved a lot of money to buy this last year. Right now, I am announcing this because I want you all to expect that some of my new shots here at Ang Maniniyot are from my Nokia N8 phone. Wiwo! ☺

Place I remember

This afternoon, I had a chit-chat with my classmate about how’s life going on. We were talking about personal experiences and stuff and one topic that brought into us is about the places I’ve been through. I told her that I was raised in Davao City and transferred to Manila to help my parents on their small business. I enjoyed living in Manila because everything there is a challenge. When my parent’s small business went bankrupt, I decided to work at an advertising firm. It’s more of a nocturnal shift so I’ll have to sleep during daytime and will have to wake up at night. Geez! That’s an abnormal life. I am on that way of life for more than 2 years until I got tired with it. So I decided to resign from my post and work somewhere else. Now, I’m here at Naval, Biliran, at my Father’s province and currently doing something that I really like (something I can’t disclose online). I found it very easy to adjust here compared to Manila. People here are very hospitable and very friendly.

Waiting for an MRT at Cubao Station

Kamias Road where I used to stay

Anyway, I am creating this post because there are times that I’m missing Manila sometimes. I never came back there since last year. There are times that I miss the MRT, the busy traffic, the people walking waiting for a jeepney ride at Aurora Boulevard and of course the food there. I can’t find Yellow Cab here or Krisypy Kreme, not even Max’s or Wendy’s or Burger King. I’ll have to travel to Cebu just to ease this salivating mouth. Here are some of my snapshots taken from my late N82 (rest in peace Cammy).

Foodtrip at Max's

Happy Kids

At first I thought this kids were really hard to get when taking a picture of them but when I approached them, they were all very happy and excited. I never had a hard time capturing their smiles because they were all cooperative during the shoot. Thanks to this kids, they are very wonderful! ☺

Rocks and Trees

Rocks and Trees at Baybay, San Jose, Tacloban's shoreline

I was walking along the beach of Baybay, San Jose, Tacloban and saw this huge collection of cut coconut trees. Got interested on their different formations so I took a snapshots of them. Too bad I haven't noticed the uneven horizon at the background because I was totally focused on the trees and rocks.

Police Operational Tactics Training

Camouflaging after crossing a river

Yesterday, I had a chance of watching police trainees of Region 8 in action doing their quasi-tactical operations inside the PPSC-RTS 8 camp at San Jose, Tacloban City. There are different stations that the trainees will have to pass through like the rope course, ambush and the night navigation. Its very awesome how this young men and women were able survived the hardships and all the challenges just to become a public servant.

On the way to the ambush site

Future police officers trying to cross a river

When I was watching them, I realized that police officers are not really as bad as what people believe. They have been very accommodating and very patient to the people watching them. Though there have been a lot of anomalies that involved policemen but let us not forget that they are the people that we call when there are criminal activities happening in our area. They are the one who protects us from evil minds at night when we are asleep.

Mommy, Mommy

I took this shot at a farm owned by the family. I really had a hard time taking this shot because both of them were moving. I think this one is the best shot on this set. ☺

Anchor

I was really wondering when was this shot taken but yeah, I was the one who took this shot. Its somewhere near the Redstone Ville. That anchor was attached to our floating kubo.

Pineapple-like plant

I hope I'm doing better and better with HDR. What do you think? You'll be the judge. ☺

Redstone Ville Sunset Shot

Here's another sunset shot from the Redstone Ville. I was browsing my laptop and checked some of my old photos when I saw this. I wonder why I haven't posted this shot earlier. Anyway, I hope you guys will like it. ☺

Something Green

I was standing just outside the door from our room at my Uncle’s house when I saw this small herbs soaked by rain water. I was always interested about it but didn’t have enough time to take a picture of it. Not until today that I have a fever. I was all alone in our room when I felt bored and checked what’s interesting outside. The rain has stopped and I saw this plant.

Indoor Vase

Its been a long time since I last updated this blog and now, here's my welcome back shot, a flower base from our house at Naval. I was trying my cousin's D90 and I am very impressed with its features and the quality of images it can get. I've been very busy for the past few days and now I'm having a fever but that doesn't hinder my urge to post this picture here in my Photoblog.

How to be a Wedding Photographer?

Being a wedding photographer is one of my goals in the Photography field. I would love to shoot pre-nuptial and of course, the wedding proper. Hitting that goal is a long way to run and I think that it’s too early for me to become a wedding photographer. I believe I still lack some photographic talents that I’ll have to learn. Anyway, just this morning, somebody asked me if I can be the official photographer of her daughter’s wedding. I paused because I was shocked. I didn’t know how to answer that One Million Peso Jackpot Question. I just told her that I’ll have to think about it first. I don’t have enough resources to shoot a wedding but I do really love to do it. Tsk. Maybe in a few years, I’ll be shooting a wedding but if it’s gonna be now, I don’t think so.

Higatangan Island

The Rock Formation at the Higatangan Island

I arrived early in the morning at Naval from Cebu when I heard that my Uncle and his basketball team will be going to Higatangan Island. Higatangan Island is one of the tourist destinations in the province of Biliran. It is located in Naval Municipality. Higatangan Island boasts the finest white sand in the province. Since I haven’t visited the island, I decided to go with my Uncle. It was fun during the first time. We arrived at the island noon time and ate our packed foods. We chose to stay at the back part of the island because it is a bit “virgin” yet to tourists. Only locals know this part of the island. Another part of the island that I liked so much is the Shifting Sandbar. I’ll be posting some picture of it some other time because I don’t have a photo of it yet. My camera went lowbat when we arrived there.

Update (05012011): As promised, I'll be posting a picture of the Shifting Sandbar. Last week, my family and I went to the Island to spend the the last days of Holy Week there. For the Shifting Sandbar, you can't expect too much from it because when we went there, its high tide so we weren't able to enjoy the Sandbar that much. Check on this link to view my story of how I saved a doctor's life in that Sandbar.

The Shifting Sandbar during high tide.

I Joined the National Geographic Channel Asia Photo Contest and I NEED your Help!

All this time I have never been very lucky in joining a contest. Whether it’s a raffle contest or any other kind of contest. The only contest I won was the Schützen® Notebook from Batang Yagit’s contest almost a year ago. Right now, I’m trying my luck in joining a Photo Contest sponsored by the National Geographic Channel Asia. It’s a photo contest about “Migration”. Basically, you just have to tell the world about your own insight of “Migration” with three categories; Born to Move, Race to Survive, Feast or Famine and Need to Breed.

I submitted my Fisherkid photo for the Feast and Famine category. Now, I am asking for your support to just simply like my entry at Facebook. That’s how easy it is for you to vote. I hope I’m gonna get a good feedback about it and Thank you for taking time reading this blog post. I hope I'm gonna win this contest!

Please visit this link to "like" my entry.

Botanical Dos

I don't really know the name of this flower. I just saw it beside the chapel inside the cemetery of Naval. I found it interesting so I took a shot of it.

Botanical Uno

Since I like taking pictures of flower, I'll be posting my collections of flower shots here in my PhotoBlog. This shot was takin somewhere at the cemetery during our visit to my Grandparents and my Girlfriend's Father.

Bagasumbol Festival

The fiesta at Naval was an enormous event with lots of events and presentations. Of course, it won't be possible with the help of the local Government of Naval and the Naval Festival 2010 Execom. The highlight of the festival includes parades, band presentations of different schools of Naval, the Matron Queen of Naval, Bagasumbol Festival, Tsinelas Party and so much more.

Since I arrived late at the Festival, I never had a chance of taking pictures of some of the events in the Festival. Last Saturday, I had a chance of having photoshoot at the Bagasumbol Festival. Bagasumbol Festival is one of the highlights of the fiesta in Naval. Bagasumbol is the commemorating of how Biliranons defend the island during the colonization of the Moros. Here are few of the shots I took at the Bagasumbol Festival Parade and Competition 2010. Click here for more photos!

House Decor For Sale At Dauis Church Bohol

I was browsing some photos in my Facebook account and saw this photo posted in my Ang Maniniyot folder. I belived that all the photos there have been posted here but not this one. This shot was taken at the Museum beside Dauis Church of Bohol. I wonder why is it a bit noisy but I think it all came out when I post processed it via Picasa and Lightroom.

A mini-Photowalk at Tacloban City

I just had a mini-photowalk this afternoon at Tacloban City. I have been here in Tacloban for almost a month now and have been planning of doing a photowalk since then. It’s just that I didn’t have any chance of doing it because of my hectic schedule. This photowalk was not in the game plan today but my scheduled appointment was cancelled so I decided to go for a photowalk. Too bad it wasn’t fun doing it the first time because of the heavy rain that poured out the whole city. I think there’s gonna be a part 2 for this one because I know there’s a lot to shoot in the City. It’s so nice having a photowalk in Tacloban because the people are not over “usisero”. What I like most in the city is that people are obeying traffic rules. Since they don’t have foot-bridge yet, people are crossing the streets in the pedestrian lane. I was on my way to the Capitol when the rain started so I stopped by somewhere so that my camera won’t get any drops of rain water. I was waiting for over an hour and still the rain never stopped so I decided to just go back home and have a 2^nd photowalk next time. So for now, these are the shots that I took on the busy streets of Tacloban City. 

The Anti-Jay Walking Sign

Busy street of Tacloban

Might be one of the old buildings in Tacloban

Tacloban's inter-City Tricycle

Street signs

No jeepneys

Big Fish for dinner. :D

A renovated old house

An Old House on the way to the Capitol

Another Old House on the way to Capitol

The Two Old Houses

Raindrops somewhere near Capitol

Playing With Lights At Naval

I was busy watching TV one evening at Naval when the electricity went off. Another night of boring brown out. I was all alone at our old house so I decided to just go out and check if there are common friends outside. I was watching all the vehicles lighting up the street and that's when I realize to play with the vehicle lights that night. Took my camera and the tripod my sister lend me and went to our terrace and try to check a perfect spot for my subject. I've seen a lot of photos before about streets with lights flashing on it from the vehicles passing. I was so amazed about it so I decided to create my own version of this shot. After making sure that my camera is safe from falling to the ground, I then set the camera's aperture and shutter speed. I am a very big fan of "Auto Mode" in my camera but there are times that I use "Manual Mode" in photo shoot. I set the camera to f6 / 60sec. and then waited. After a few tries, I have now my finished product.

Kaang, Cebu's Finest Street Food

Kaang

While I was walking on the streets of Cebu, I stumbled upon this street food along I don't know street. Its somewhere in Colon anyway. I saw a man eating something on a stick and the other guy on a plastic cellophane. I was really curious about the food they eat so I decided to check it out. I haven't such street food back in Manila and Davao so I think its Cebu's original. They call it "kaang" and this shells are being hauled from Bohol to Cebu. Big sized shell will cost you P15 and then smaller for P10 and those on the sticks are P5/sticks. I tried them all and was satisfied about it. Well, its hard to eat it because it has some sandy part that you will have to remove first before you enjoy this God's gift. Two thumbs up for this one.

THP: Broken Hearted

Broken Hearted

Just last night, I mentioned about this project that I would want to share to all ya'll. Here's my first entry for this project and I call it "Broken Hearted". 

The Heart Project

When I went back to Naval, Biliran last week, I've come up of this idea of doing a project in photography. I have a friend who has a Project 365 where his plan is to post a picture every day in a single year. Since I could not commit to take pictures everyday and post it in my blog or in my Facebook account, I planned a different project and I call it, The Heart Project. I know its too cheesy and corny but I think with this project, I can enhance my creativity and the way I see things. Actually, I already have shots taken somewhere in Naval and in places I've visited. So, in my later posts in this blog, I'll be posting them one by one and I hope I'll get a good feedback from the people who visit my blog.

HDR Photo Using Dave Hill Effect

HDR is one of the coolest arts in Photography. I have posted HDR photos before but not really satisfied with the results but was just trying to show you all my work. Anyway, when it comes to HDR, Dave Hill is the name. He’s been doing well in HDR and still creating great results in his post processing technique. I tried Googling some articles and tutorials about the Dave Hill effect and learned a few tricks on how to do it in Lightroom. So, for those who are trying to develop their HDR using Lightroom, here are the settings I found that can make your HDR a Dave Hill Effect type.

* Recovery = 100

* Fill = 100

* Contrast = 100

* Clarity = 100

* Vibrance = 100

* Saturation = -75

* Adjust the black/exposure

* Add a lens vignette

Portrait: Luc

Let’s just say, I really like this photo of my girlfriend. One of my quality portraits shot, I think. But yeah, no bias at all, I really like this photo. I did a bit of an edit here specially with the light condition and all in all, this photo is perfect. Took this photo at the seashore at the back of their house.

Fisherkids

Four fishes for dinner

Poverty is one of the great problems our country needs to overcome. In Biliran province alone, major population is in the poverty level. I have an Aunt who's a nutritionist in Region 8 and said that Biliran Province is at the top 5 that has the most number of malnourished children.

When I had a week vacation in Naval,    I went to Red Stone Ville to have some lunch. It’s almost Sunset when I saw some kids fishing on the stony part of the sea shore. I approach them and asked if how was the catch. They said that they were already there since 10AM and hasn’t caught any promising fish for their meal. They only got few small fishes probably not enough for most of us but enough to complete their meal for the day. While talking to them, I never thought that they would be very enthusiastic in sharing their stories to me. One kid told me that this day is not a very lucky day for them but still they will strive for more catch.


Life is really hard for them and but still they are eager and willing to survive. At a young age, they already started to work for their food. One good thing is that they don’t lose hope and they have the courage to stand in their own feet.

A Matter Of How You See It

This photo here is inspired by the Photoblog of Kala, AMatterOfHowYouSeeIt.com. I wasn't really expecting a good feedback on this photo but I just like the composition. I was actually challenged by Kala's blog. I really liked her photos and those photos inspired me when I took this shot. There are a lot of very nice subjects that you can see around its just the matter of how we see it.