Framed Memories – Past and Present

Kirsten Jae on a hammock at my Parent’s house – Balungao Calumpit

Whenever I go back to my hometown I always forget to take a single photo of where I grew up. I always finish a photo project or a video project but regretfully forget to snap a photo of the greatest thing in my childhood. This place always gives me a sense of solace. I don’t feel rushed and stressed out when I’m there. I can definitely kick back relax and enjoy the view or the moment. Maybe I can only say it because I’m on vacation but I really feel that there’s something more to it than a feeling of nostalgia. Now that I’m a Dad myself I’m glad to have introduce to my daughter Kirsten Jae the place where I played, got dirty, broke a bone, bitten by a dog, climbed, fell and got scolded.

Beach Time with Kae-Kae

Beach Time with Kae-Kae – Vimeo

A simple video of our daughter Kirsten Jae “Kae-Kae” at Nirwana Beach Resort Bintang Indonesia on July 2013.

Film & Edit: Kris Gironella

Music: Empire00 – Blurry Moonstar

Novoflex – A Wonder Adapter with Video Test

Mama & Kae

Last time we went to the Zoo Kae is still very small and she did’t actually appreciate the animals there but now she knows almost all the names of the animals well at least all the characters of MADAGASCAR.

It was also an opportunity to put my manual focusing skills to the test. My Nikon D700 batteries where drained from my last interior photography shoot (very irresponsible of me) so I brought along my Canon 60D with my Nikon 24-70mm f2.8G lens and a Novoflex Nikkor G lens to Canon EOS mount adapter (whew that’s long).

Wildlife Photography with Nikon 105mm f2.8G VR

Warning: This is not a review of AF-S Nikkor 105mm f2.8G Micro VR instead this is just to share my experience using this lens on wildlife. I most of the time use this awesome lens (despite of its minor flaws) for portraits and macro shots of inanimate objects or toys (not the one you are thinking naughty you) so this is a departure from my regular usage of Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR and I won’t be discussing any technical specifications or MTF charts on that matter ’cause I can assure you this lens is sharp (I did a few front and back focus testing of my own). Let’s treat this as a simple field application of this lens and my “likes” and “dislikes” while I’m using it for wildlife. Take note that all photos are shot hand-held without the use of any tripod or monopods and I can say that it’s not “proper macro photography” the fact that I didn’t use any ring light or the Nikon R1C1 Macro lighting system. I just want to see for myself if it’s possible to shoot macro photography hand-held with the use of VR (vibration reduction in Nikon terms) or IS (Image Stabilization in canon terms) on just available lighting like other photographers claim.

“AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR ED 105mm F2.8G (IF)”

or Nikon 105mm VR for short

Cliche or Another Postcard?

“Amber Dusk”

I don’t usually shoot landscapes or seascapes but I guess the sunset is the most wondrous event that we always take for granted. No matter what other (photographer/s) may say  that it may look like a postcard photo or another sunset cliche just try to watch the amber sky at sun down then you’ll start to think you should have brought your camera along with you. Anticipate the right moment ’cause it’s only a matter of minutes before the sun fades into the horizon.

*Photo taken last January 2010 Boracay Philippines.

Beauty Of The Not So Obvious

Walkin around Lasalle College of Arts I saw few things that are not very interesting looking on a common point of view. Some some are already interesting in its own right but became more interesting viewed on a different perspective and some static objects can tell us something that is not obvious at first but upon observation a story is revealed.

“Life Saver No.2”

A Dash Of Nostalgia

I’m not a big fan of post-processing but if in need I will do it. In the case of these series I did! I’m curious about the hype of retro style in photos or the plastic lens look but never had the chance to apply it on my own shots, well it looks nice to others (photos) but trying it myself makes a difference. I did love it better than doing HDR. I have nothing agains HDR but some photographers seem to overdo it… In a very weird way. I guess there is no wrong way or right way post-processed or not. Different people, different way/technique of achieving their own style – whatever suits you.

“Lonely Canoe”