first shoot "out"

Last Saturday, I welcomed the even colder weather by going on my first ever field trip for the photography class I was taking.  I got my times all mixed up, and I arrived an hour later.  I thought, great, now I have to make up for it by taking less photos with better quality.  Having gone through the shots, I don't think I did so well.  I do have one or two that I liked, but overall, needs improvement.

Anyhow, sharing photos of the place, Balbriggan Harbour.  It was a nice venue for the shoot, I think.  It wasn't an enormous space that you'd not know where to start, but it had plenty of details of lots of subjects to shoot from.  Here are two that would give an idea of the setting:

Also, as it was a real working harbour, there were fishermen about.  Two of them actually wanted me to take their photos as they thought I was a tourist who was there to sightsee (close but not quite).  One of them kept saying "We're Irish fishermen!" before I took their photo.  Afterwards, the other one told me..."Have you ever asked yourself, what would you say to cheese when you're taking their photo?"  Errrmm...no, I haven't.

Table for two, finally

So I flew to the US a few weeks ago not because of the lure of the land of milk and honey, but more importantly, to spend time with the other half.  Allan was spending St. Patrick's Day at Chicago and I flew in from Ireland (because I just had to have more than just one Paddy's Day celebration?).

 

It was the weekend when I took photos again and promised to keep at it. Chicago's architecture and the river dyed green gave me the perfect beginner-again practice shots.  Photos posted at my flickr site...but I have to say, this one's my favorite:

Batanes Day 4 - Sunset Attempt # 2

IMG_3586, originally uploaded by socs.

After two days of touring Basco and Sabtang, the following day was spent slowly and leisurely. Our main plan was to find what was called "Rolling Hills" on our own and then head off to the lighthouse again to wait for what would hopefully be a breathtaking sunset.

I think the best sunset shot I got that day was this....more photos in my flickr gallery

IMG_3636, originally uploaded by socs.

Batanes Day 3 - Sabtang Island

(All photos from Day 3 are in my flickr gallery).

I bravely said yes to crossing the sea to Sabtang for our trip --- and I found out later on that I was only brave because I didn't know what I was getting into.

I've been on boats and sea vessels big and small and I've only been scared once (it was an overloaded ferry from Camiguin crossing turbulent waters with no lifejackets in sight) before...This was my second time to be terrified (and we each had our own lifejacket this time).

I remember thinking to myself that it had better be worth risking our lives --- and it was. It really was.


The little boat that could -- and DID!

IMG_3403, originally uploaded by socs.

We crossed the open seas on that boat! Granted, its not as small as it looks -- it carried 20+ passengers to and from Sabtang. It does, however, move with the waves...and in all directions! I regret not having taken a photo of our boat captain, he did bring us to and fro safely. But when you're worried your boat will sink, there's no reason why the camera should go down (and die) with you.

Below: trees blowing in the wind.

IMG_3216, originally uploaded by socs.

Even street signs are carved on the Ivatan stone houses

IMG_3224, originally uploaded by socs.

Photo below is at the same are where most of our first posted Batanes photos were taken. Francis has done a great job taking photos that time and I was too shocked to take anymore afterwards.

IMG_3277, originally uploaded by socs.

Me with a traditional Ivatan basket. The lady in the photo was kind enough to show an ignoramus like me how to properly wear and use it. Photo by Allan Vistan.

IMG_3363, originally uploaded by socs.

Sabtang Lighthouse

The minute I caught a glimpse of this lighthouse when we were out on sea I focused on it. I just kept thinking 'we're almost there, we're almost there'. While reviewing these photos though, the lighthouse reminded me of this photo I took while in The Netherlands.

IMG_3508, originally uploaded by socs.

Batanes Day 2 - Around the Island of Batan (part 2 of 2)

(The photos posted here belong to the same Batanes Day 2 set...I felt compelled to make this as "Part 2" just to highlight some photos of the wonderful sights)

Marlboro Country

IMG_3073, originally uploaded by socs.

No horses, no cigarettes...just rolling hills and a vast expanse of grazing grounds that offer (more) breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. Ate Remy, our tour guide, told us that this was a public area where people can take their herd hang out. That explains the abundance of, er, fertilizer.

If I were cattle, I would love to graze here....weeds + winds + view = natural high! ;)

Valugan Bay

IMG_3186, originally uploaded by socs.

I will admit to a little favoritism...there were other stops between Marlboro Country and Valugan Bay BUT my fiance did mention he considered proposing here....so I'm going straight to this site. Beachfront and filled with huge rocks...its not ideal for a walk on the beach, but perfect for shots like that above. The location is also suitable for sunrise photoshoots --- which we attempted a few days later.

Exploring Dublin (hopefully the first of many)

reflections, originally uploaded by socs.

I need to go into the habit of shooting...and to start it off, I ventured out today in some parts of the City that I haven't been to yet. Took photos, walked around, took some more photos and did some more walking...as a result, I have a handful of almost decent shots I'm willing to share. Most are from Christ Church and inside Trinity College, with an added photo from a street march for Palestine and Joel trying out some toys from a favorite music shop.

Please visit my flickr gallery for more.

everybody loves Bear

Ally and Carl have a taken a fascination with my camera, Bear. They borrow it every now and then and takes photos of anything and everything...

some shots they took ...
photo of Ally by Carl
photo of Carl by Ally
and photo of Ally's shoes and shoes by Ally.

hello,Manila

court + ruins, originally uploaded by socs.

I went back to Intramuros last week for Bear's (that's my Camera, by the way) first photo trip to Manila and among the photos I took, this one is among my favorites. I dont think I've ever taken one like this before....

My first photo shoot in Intramuros was for an HP magazine, my first ever published work. Sort of.

Manila, Manila...I'll keep coming back to Manila.

admu bonfire 2008

Photos from the Ateneo bonfire from weeks ago. Please visit my flickr site for more.

live fire part 2

Headed back to MCS for another round of real guns. More photos posted on my flickr gallery (click on photo to view).

squeeze, originally uploaded by socs.

pisay homecoming

pisay berde, originally uploaded by socs.

a handful of long overdue photos from Pisay's Homecoming held last September 6.

Quezon City Circle

It was a Saturday, my chores were all done and I didn't want to waste a perfectly good late afternoon, so I decided to hop on to a jeep with my camera to take photos at the nearest place I could think of.

Sometimes all a girl needs is a walk in the park.

grill, originally uploaded by socs.