Visit to Taboan, Cebu. The Dried Fish Market

Me and Nanay was asked by Tatay to visit Taboan. Taboan as known for dried fish. A famous place to buy "danggit" for pasalubong. Well, we went there because Tatay will be having a trip to Manila tomorrow and he wants to bring dried fish to his colleagues. I never thought that this items are being sold for about Php400-Php500/kilo. A bit expensive but I think its "sulit" because of the fact that its one of Cebu's specialty. I just thought that maybe this food are being sold twice the price in different places. But one thing is for sure, I am drooling for this one. This one is my favorite meal during breakfast. So, to stop my mouth from watering, I asked my Nanay to give me 1/4 kilo of the "danggit" she bought.

Taoist Temple Cebu City

People who visit Cebu do always take time to visit the Philippine Taoist Temple. Taoist Temple is one of the landmark that Cebu is boasting to its visitor. Its a place where you can just sit and relax and enjoy the panoramic view of Cebu City. Yesterday isn't my first visit to the temple. I already visited the place maybe 2004 or 2005 together with my SK family in our barangay in Davao City. When I went to the place, I thought there's no other visitor around and that made me think that I can shoot well since there's no people walking around. Before entering in, the guard told me that taking pictures of the saints inside the temple is strictly prohibited. The stairs caused me muscle pain but ignored it when I reached the top. Then I realize, we didn't pas through this stairs before, we were on the other side where you can see a replica of the Great Wall of China. Well, I continued walking inside the temple when I saw bunch of Koreans and other nationalities inside it. The place was like swarmed by tourist from all over the world. Stayed in low profile while taking pictures. The place is very well maintained except to some part of it. There are statue of dragons and lions in every corner of the place. Chinese are really mysterious based on their belief and culture. But that's the reason why every nationallity is different, because of their belief and culture. Well, just take a look at some of my shots from the Taoist Temple.

Rosary in a Low Light Condition

This rosary shot was actually taken last night when I was taking a break after dinner. I just saw this rosary from my mother's cabinet and tried to take a snap of it in a low light condition. I used a flash light to put a small amount of light on it. Well, flashlight on my left hand and the camera on the right hand, I really had a hard time taking this snapshot. No post processing being done in this picture.

Canon Lens Mug

Tacloban Festival

During our last day in Tacloban, we were caught in the middle of a fiesta celebration. I think its a Sto. Nino Fiesta in Tacloban that they celebrate during the 29th day of June. Our scheduled trip to Naval, Biliran is at 12:30p.m. and we woke up early because my parents will have to go to church and I was left in the hotel room to watch over my brother. When my parents came back from the church, I went out and watched the parade being held on the streets of Tacloban. It was a very colorful fiesta celebration. Participants are dressed in different tribal costumes with complete props. I managed to take some shots of the parade. Taking pictures during this kind of event is one my dream. I really like this kind of scenario because you're not gonna have any problem with light conditions and also, colorful costumes will give your image a very fantastic mood. I can say it is a bit hard when you're gonna take pictures of marching people because everybody is moving. Sometimes you're lucky if the presentor will stop in front of you to pose but it rarely happens. When I started taking pictures I noticed that there are a lot of armed photographers waiting in line too. All of them are equipped with high end lenses and other accessories. I was a bit shy because I was only using a "hybrid" camera, not even close to a dSLR. Well anyway, I didn't really care about it because all I was thinking is to shoot and shoot the parade's participants. It was really fun taking pictures under the heat of the sun, I felt like I'm a pro too! Lol. Anyway, just take a look at some of my shots below.

The Social Network -- Facebook Movie

This morning, my father and I went to Gaisano Country Mall here in Cebu and I was looking at the Coming Soon movies and I was a bit curious about the movie they've posted "The Social Network". I thought it was some kind of a thriller film about people being stalked and killed by stranger online. Just recently, I was blog hopping and saw someone posting about the said movie. I was reading his blog post and there I knew that the movie I saw in the "Coming Soon" on the mall was all about how Mark Zuckerberg founded the social networking site, Facebook. It was mentioned that Justin Timberlake will be in the movie too but not to play as Mark Zuckerberg. It will be at the big screen on October 1, 2010. Just check out the trailer below.

HDR First Try

I'm really curious on how do people create a very wonderful image like HDR. I've seen photos and was really jealous on the way they post process the pictures. One of the thread created in Symbianize is all about photography. Forum members share their tips and tricks on photography and also showcase their wonderful images. A member posted some HDR photos on there and I asked some advise from him. He gave me StuckInCustoms tutorial about HDR. At first I thought HDR is very complicated but he proved me wrong. HDR is simple. You can create an HDR image in a few minutes as long as you have all the tools and of course, the patience and effort. I tried creating an HDR of my own and felt satisfied about my final images. I know I'm still not good at it but I also know that practice will make me good in creating an HDR image. That photo on the left is my very first HDR photo. Comments and suggestions are highly appreciated. Thanks!

A Father's Day Special Post

I know its a bit late for me to create a post like this but I think its still worth it. I just want to say belated happy father's day to my father. I know I've been a pain in the ass for quite a bit now but I thank you for accepting me and for guiding me in every single day that the Lord have made. I know I'm not that expressive but just to let you know that I ain't no here without you, so Tatay, I love you and thank you.

Bird Shot

I really had a hard time taking pictures of a bird and when I was at Dauis Church in Bohol, I saw birds coming in and out of the cottage where we we taking a rest. I took the chance of taking a snapshot of this birds and I think this one here is the most clear and steady one.

Bohol and Siquijor Trip

I just got a few shots in Bohol and Siquijor because I don't have enough time. The boat docked at Bohol port and stayed there for only 4 hours and then we reached Siquijor 11pm. When we were at Bohol, I decided to step off the boat and go to the nearest vintage church that I know, Dauis Church. Inside the church is a fresh water well though the church is residing at the shoreline of Panglao Island. Stayed there for an hour maybe and then went back to the boat. The boat undocked Bohol Port and reached Siquijor late evening that Saturday. The next morning, the rain poured out the town of Larena so there's no chance for me to get out of our room and visit some places. After the rain, I went outside and visited some places in Larena, Siquijor. Here are some of the shots I took in BOhol and Siquijor.

 Back of Dauis Church

 Belltower behind Dauis Church

 Inside the church

Front view of the church

An old boat behind the church

Replica of the Dauis Church Belltower

Boat shot taken from the port of Bohol

An old bell near Larena Municipal Hall

One of the oldest Belltower in Siquijor

Worldwide Photowalk

I've never been to an event like this before. Meeting new people is not my type of game. I am not good in socializing but with this kind of event, I think I'm gonna have to forget all those negative traits and be confident to join this event. This is my chance of showing, learning and participating in an event for photographers. I know I'm not good and I still have a lot of things to learn in this field. Anyway, thank you to Nalen of Manilenya for sharing me this event. I signed up for the event and will wait for them to send me an email if I'm in or out. They will only accept 50 photographers and when I joined, there's only 7 slots left. Good thing I was able to sign up. :D

Cebu City Cathedral

After the Sto. Niño tour, I went to the nearby church which is the Cebu City Cathedral Church (I forgot its real name, I'm sorry). Anyway, I was really happy when I got there because everything seems to be perfect. The sky is very friendly and the lights of the church are very dramatic. Really had fun taking pictures of the church. Because of its beauty, people are starting to make it a park and at the same time, a lover's lane. Tsk tsk. Them guys should show respect to the place.

 Side View Shot of the Cathedral

Bell Tower

Kandol Bay!

I just took this photo awhile ago when I was at the Sto. Niño Church here in Cebu City. I was trying to rest in my bed when Nanay ask me to go to Sto. Niño to check if my brother is there. As you all know, we're still in search for my brother. Went inside the church to check but no signs of Kuya. Got tired of walking so I went nearby this candles. People are sincerely praying and offering candles to the good Lord.

Ring + Book = Heart

This shot was not actually my idea. I have already seen this shot before in someone else's blog (I'm sorry I forgot who you are) and the credit goes to her. I was just amazed of the concept forming the shadow into a heart shape. My father actually helped me with this one because he was the one holding the flashlight for the light effect. Thanks Tay! Thanks Nay also for the ring. Lol. Anyway, sooner or later, I might be using a ring for my future wife. :D

60KPH at SRP

Somewhere in SRP, Cebu, there's a place where travellers can take a rest and enjoy the panoramic view of Cebu Gulf. I went to that place after the Fort San Pedro shoot. Took some rest and still trying to play my camera. I don't know if we can consider this as a good urban shot or its just an ordinary picture. Well, anyway, I like this photo and I am sharing it to you.

Nipa Hut

I never really expected that this photo can be great. One of my fried really liked it. Its a very simple shot taken outside Red Stone Ville. We were all sleeping outside the guest room because there's no electricity and its too hot inside. I woke up early and after a few puff of cigs, grabbed my camera and start shooting nothing.

Kids at work

We were on our way to Tacloban City when we stopped at a Comelec Checkpoint. I was standing at the back of the multicab when I saw this two kids struggling to carry this woods that I suppose they'll be using for fire.

The Wood And The Circle Lightroom Edition

 Here's another version of The Wood And The Circle photo I've posted last May. Edited the photo using Adobe Lightroom 2.0. An online friend just taught me how to use it and gave me some presets for the Lightroom 2.0. Comparing the 2 pictures, I kinda like this photo. :D

Portrait: Julianne

I know I don't have my cousin's consent in putting this picture into my blog but I think this is an art of portrait photography. This is my first "guinea pig" in making portrait shots. I am still on the process of shooting portrait photos and still needs to practice. Even the post-processing part. I hope I'll learn a lot in this photo-journey.

Afternoon Moon Shot

I know to some, early-birdie moon showing at 5PM in the afternoon is normal but to me, its something that I appreciate much. I always wonder why the moon showed up too early sometimes. I hope this simple photo would make us realize how wonderful this world is.

Sunset shot at Naval Port Area

 Here's another photo for my Golden Hour collection. I just love to take pictures during this time. The light exposure is so perfect. I hope you'll like this shot.

The Wood and The Circle

We were at a beach one time and I saw this circular design in one of the cottage's stand. I don't really know why it took my attention but I was really interested in taking a snapshot of this part of the wood. So, here it is, one of my favorite.

Red Stone Ville Sunset

This shot was taken after a day of trip in 3 different falls in Biliran Province. Took it at Red Stone Ville or Pulang Bato. Everything seems to be perfect when I took this photo.

Sunset at Cebu Expressway

I don't really know what's the name of the place but its the expressway of Cebu going to Talisay City, I think. I'm not really certain. But yeah, that's the place where I took this photo. I was waiting for the sunset but it was hiding of those clouds so got nothing else to do but to just shoot and shoot.

Tree Trunks

It was during the election campaign period when I volunteered myself as the photographer of my Aunt's candidacy. We went to this far far away barrio to do the daily chores of a candidate, the house to house. What they do is they go to every single houses in the barrio and introduce themselves to let the people know that they are running for this certain position. While we were having a rest, I saw this line of trees in front of me and it looks like they are so even. You can actually pass through in the middle of this trees. I like the setup and I like to take a shot. So here it is!

I want a Raynox Lens

Lens is one of the most essential part of a camera. With my FZ30, it does have a 35-420mm, and it works perfectly fine with me. I can be able to take pictures in my satisfaction. But there's a "but", sometimes, I can't take pictures that are out of range. Pictures that are too far are not so clear anymore. So I thought I'll have to buy a lens for my camera. The FZ30 is not an SLR. The lens is fixed and built in so its really hard for me to find a lens. Good thing is when I googled a lens for my camera, I found the Raynox lens that are specially built for my camera model. I checked their website and it has a macro lens, telephoto and a wide angle lens available for my camera. There's a Singaporean website selling Raynox lenses and I inquired about it. The macro lens is about Sing$100 something or 3,300Php and the telephoto for about Sing$390 or 12,700Php. Both are expensive for me now since I already resigned from my job but I'll have to save money for this lenses. I badly need those lenses specially the telephoto. For now, I can't buy those lenses yet but soon enough, I'm sure I'll be owning those lenses.

Fort San Pedro Cebu

               Last night I stumbled upon this blog dedicated to Cebu City named Cebu City Photos. I was checking some of his photos and it was cool. I'm here in Cebu for more than 2 weeks now and I'm still on the process of familiarizing the places here. The blog has been a very big help to me specialy in discovering new and exciting places here in Cebu. I saw one of his post about the Fort San Pedro here in Cebu and I was excited about it. When it comes to historical places here in the Philippines, I'm always go with it. So I decided to go to the place and try to check everything about it. When I got there, I immediately went inside but the problem is theres's a wedding reception being held inside. I went back outside and try to observe the people coming in and out. While waiting outside, I was talking to an old man outside selling key chains and offering paid photographs to the tourists. If I'm not mistaken, his name is Mang Victor. Mang Victor has been working in the area for about 15 years now. Mang Victor told me that it is OK to get inside the Fort. I went inside the Fort and asked the receptionist and she let me in but will have to pay 30Php for the entrance fee. The lower ground has been restricted because of the wedding reception and the only place allowed to the tourists are the upper level. It was really nice inside. I tried thinking the history of the place and realized that life before is very simple. People doesn't have cellphones, camera, laptops, electricity and other basic needs that the new civilization is enjoying. I think I can't live their life. I'm so used to the modern world. I had a great experience inside the Fort San Pedro and will discover more exciting places here in Cebu. Next stop? Taoist Temple!

Creating a collage in Picasa 3

Creating a collage is not too easy for me before. I really had a problem creating a collage. I'm using Picasa that has a built in collage maker but the problem is that I can't figure out how to fix the alignments of the pictures. I was browsing online when I stumbled upon the Funtography blog teaching how to create a collage in Picasa 3. I checked on it and I felt like I'm so dumb because creating a collage in Picasa was too easy that even an elementary student can do it. Good thing I was patient of reading her blog and following the instructions until I was able to create my first collage. I was planning to make the background color as black but I noticed that my Half Moon Shot has a black background. So I decided to change the color into something else and here's the result. I hope you guys like my simple collage. I'll continue creating more of collage and I think creating a collage of the set of photos you have can be an elegant way of showcasing your photos into a single post than putting multiple images in a post.