Life as I see it - Photography and Literature of Everyday Life

Palaui Island, Philippines

2012-01-23T17:13:00.000-08:00

The Cove, Palaui Island, Philippines

Palaui Island in the Philippines is situated at the northern-most part of the country. A 30- minute boat ride from the port of Sta. Ana, Cagayan is needed to reach Palaui Island. Palaui Island consists of several islands that are either inhabited or populated. The boat ride and a tour around the islands costs around 1,500-3,000 pesos depending on how good you haggle with the boatmen. You might prefer to bring packed food and snacks as the islands doesn't offer much when it comes to amenities. But if you want to have a peaceful time away from the hustle and bustle of the usual tourist destinations, try Palaui Island and its nearby islands to experience the serenity and purity of untouched nature.

It is indeed more fun in the Philippines. :)

Avenue of the Stars, Hongkong

2011-08-11T03:17:00.000-07:00

"The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering"

-Bruce Lee

Tsim Sha Tsui, Hongkong

2011-07-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life"

-Jack Kerouac

Hongkong Junk - The Aqualuna

2011-07-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

Traditional Hongkong Boats or "Junk" as they are called can be seen traversing across the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hongkong. You can get in touch with the Hongkong Tourism Board if you wish to ride one. Visit www.discoverhongkong.com for more information.

It's all about passion!

2011-04-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

image taken with a camera phone

It has been quite some time since my last post on this blog (seven long months to be exact) ever since that fateful day of losing my camera (I did not actually lose it. I sold it with a dream of upgrading to a better one in the not so distant future). Since then, my photography dreams had been set aside for the meantime. But the world around me never ceases to pose and take one for the cameras. Without my usual arsenal in my backpack, I took the leisure of storing every amazing moment in my mind. Capturing in speeds like that of a 1.4 aperture and zooming in on every detail like a 90 mm macro. With my mind going crazy and everything artistic in me seeping out of my earlobes, nostrils and eye sacs (don't take this like a crazy horror film), I need to find an outlet. It was then that I started experimenting with the camera phone of my wife, taking pictures like there was no tomorrow, catching up on everything that I've missed. A camera phone definitely has its limitations, but it is better than not capturing those special moments at all.

Above is a picture of my son on his first high chair. Fantastic isn't it?

What are you waiting for? don't let the moment pass you by. Great Photographers are not defined by the cameras they use but by the moments they capture. It's all about the passion.

Looking back, I only wish I had a better camera in hand and get the best out of that moment but then again, this is far better than missing the moment at all.

Photography Inspiration - Invictus

2010-08-30T04:41:00.000-07:00

Canon EOS 450D, F/4.5, 1/1600 sec., ISO 200

Out of the night that covers me,

black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

for my unconquerable soul.

-Invictus, William Ernest Henley

Infant Photography - Caden

2010-08-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

Canon EOS 450D, F5.6, 1/5 sec., ISO 1600

"If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle." - Vincent Van Gogh

Nathan & Avon's Prenuptial Shoot

2010-08-09T01:32:00.000-07:00

"True love stories never have endings." -Richard Bach

Maternity Portrait - Oneness

2010-07-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

Canon EOS 450D, F4.5, 0.8 sec., ISO 250

"To have and to hold..."

Maternity Portrait

2010-07-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

F5, 1/5 sec., ISO 800

"A great joy is coming!"

My Introduction to Product Photography

2010-07-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

Zonik Store, Corniche Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Necessity allowed me to become a so-called "Professional Photographer" for a day. Although I must admit that being one isn't sort of my thing (at least at the moment). I enjoyed Photography as a hobby and as a way to express myself and let others take my perspective on life through my images. Being the crazy shutter-happy employee that I am, I often take pictures of anything that interests me. During office events, I am often invited to take a couple of snapshots--I took pictures of basketball games, corporate meetings and even headshots for employees. I also volunteer to take photos during birthday celebrations of my colleagues (there's always free food!). Every shooting opportunity brings a different kind of satisfaction to me. Having others appreciate your work, seeing the smiles of your friends and colleagues when you captured a candid shot are all worth the sorting and post processing of pictures.

Recently, our marketing department requested me to take a photo for an advertising banner of a new product that we are selling. Bravely, I tested my skills in a kind of photography that is new to me. Having read tons of article about product photography, I knew I could pull this one off. Armed with nothing but an entry-level dslr, a couple of A3 Bond papers, we headed to our store for a product shoot.

After countless exposures and lighting improvisations--we placed the product near the glass door, made use of the strong Saudi sun and crafted a mock light tent using the bond papers (Brilliant!)-- we managed to get the shot we wanted.

Although I end up seeing only a tightly cropped image of what we shot, the satisfaction of seeing what you had captured in a banner, at a store, in plain public view is definitely worth it.

Never limit yourself to your equipment and to what you can or cannot do.

Photography is all about creativity and passion.

Have a good day!

Photography Inspiration - Hope

2010-06-23T08:18:00.001-07:00

Canon EOS 450D, F11, 1/8 sec., ISO 100, 55mm

"Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible & achieves the impossible"

Urban Decay Photography

2010-06-22T00:51:00.001-07:00

canon eos 450d, f/5.6, 1/8 sec, iso 800, 18mm

"The difference between animals and humans is that animals change themselves for the environment, but humans change the environment for themselves" -Ayn Rand

for more urban decay photography, visit http://www.thephotoargus.com/

Architectural Photography - Al Khobar Construction

2010-06-15T05:52:00.000-07:00

Canon EOS 450D, 1/125, ISO 200, F11

The Middle East has one of the most amazing architectural structures i've seen so far. And here's another proof of it. Most of the concrete highrises are colored in more or less the same way (beige, light yellow, brown). Aside from reflecting heat, this presents a maintenance-friendly option in an event of a sandstorm.

Reflections - Building Cleaners

2010-06-07T04:15:00.001-07:00

Canon EOS 450D, 1/250, F8, ISO 200

Street Photography

2010-06-05T01:45:00.001-07:00

Taken at Subaiqah, Al Khobar Saudi Arabia. 1/500, F4.5, ISO 200

Long before there was Digital, Street Photography had been the avenue of many artists aspiring to capture the vibrance, rhythm and timeless moments of everyday life. With the advent of Digital Photography came a revolution that ushered in an army that carried guns that capture time. Among my primary influences as a budding photographer are street photographers (see love photography? link).

What I love about street photography is that you don't need to have the proper equipment to get a magnificent shot. All it takes is just your creativity and passion to see beyond the ordinary.

Photography in general is about finding personal satisfaction and value in what you had captured. Whether it be an ordinary signboard, or a picture that tells a story, your eyes can tell if you had something worth sharing to the world.

What are you waiting for? Grab your camera, go out in the streets and don't forget to stop and smell the asphalt.

Happy Shooting!

Al Khobar Architecture

2010-05-30T04:19:00.000-07:00

Street Photography - Alleys of Saudi Arabia

2010-05-29T01:06:00.000-07:00

Wildlife Photography - Love at the 5th Floor

2010-05-20T02:19:00.001-07:00

Canon EOS 450d, 1/60 sec, ISO 320, F7.1

"Paradise is always where love dwells"

-Jean Paul F. Richter

Triptych Photography

2010-05-12T02:30:00.000-07:00

Learning Photoshop had never been this fun. Last night while I was given another opportunity to practice my photography (courtesy of my ever-willing model), I came across this idea of creating a triptych. Thanks to the countless resources available online, I stumbled upon http://www.photoradar.com/ which provides its readers with a simple to follow guide on making triptychs. What's more, they offer free templates to use. Perfect!

Sunset Photography - Together

2010-05-05T02:43:00.000-07:00

ISO 200, 1/400, F5.6, adobe photoshop cs4

"Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction"

-Antoine De Saint Exupery

Tilt Shift Photography - Photoshop tips

2010-05-04T05:57:00.000-07:00

mini al khobar, ISO 800, F22, 30.sec, adobe photoshop cs4

Who does not love miniatures?

Today I found an interesting site that discusses how to make big things seem small in photography (of course with a little post-production help). If you don't have the budget to buy those expensive tilt-shift lenses, why not try venturing to this site and try it for yourself. Don't forget to tell me about your first tilt-shift photoshop project!

http://www.tiltshiftphotography.net/

Black and White Photography - Then and Now

2010-05-03T00:29:00.000-07:00

Canon EOS 450d, ISO 1600, F8, 1/30 sec., post production using adobe photoshop cs4

Portrait Photography - Yearning

2010-04-28T02:36:00.000-07:00

"Sadness flies on the wings of the morning, and out of the heart of darkness comes the light"
-Jean Giraudoux

Taken at Cornishe Al Khobar @ ISO 200, F4.5, 1/1600

Night Photography - Al Khobar light trails

2010-04-28T02:22:00.000-07:00

taken with canon eos 450d @f22, 30 sec. exposure.

Life as I see it - Photography and Literature of Everyday Life

2010-04-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

For almost two years, Saudi Arabia has been my second home. Hesitant at first, I tested the waters armed with nothing but courage and a hope that I will grow in a foreign land both professionally and personally. As fate would bring it, It is here where I would re-discover my passion for photography and writing.

"life as I see it" would be a photo journal that is intended to inspire others to re-discover their passion--just as i had discovered mine. Although I am only starting to discover the amazing world of photography, I am eager to share with you my learnings, experience and as well as the world in which I live in.

Join me and let me know your thoughts.