{.p.a.l.a.h.i.}
It's not really easy for me to take the "other" road. It is more easier to just simply follow the crowd knowing that I will never be alone when the road meets a dead end. More often than not, because that is the usual road to take.
Making a decision to take the "other" way is kind of a daunting task especially when you are leading people. They put their lives into your hands and thus adding more pressure. Venturing into an uncharted territory is truely a scary thought. The road is unpaved and definitely not an easy path to trek hence the fewer people. But you have to lead them. You have to make the decision. You have to face the reality that you are facing an unknown result.
It is the kind of risk that most us has to face every now and then. But once you conquered the obstacle and reached your goal and destination, it is a feeling that cannot be described nor can be taken away from you. The fact that you stand on what you believe in and having that strong faith in your heart, makes you want to face every task and take the road less traveled.
Journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Have you started yours?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
a rose for the fallen
All we can offer is just this simple rose. This is nothing to what you gave. This is nothing for what you've been through. This is nothing to what and where we are now. I don't even know you, but you gave your life to give us a brighter and peaceful future. THANK YOU.
It was the lone flower offered at the wall. The wall usually is full of flowers, but last weekend was an exception. There were a couple of letters and this one rose. The bright yellow caught my eye and had to stoop to get this shot.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Long lost blog
I found my other blog!!!
This blog was from my first friendster account. That account was long cancelled and I thought my blog will go down the drain along with it. Surprisingly, it is alive and kicking. The only problem is, I can't connect it back to my new Friendster account and that means no more updates. Well, I have blogspot anyway - and I like it better.
So hit the link to jump.
Monday, October 26, 2009
My daughter Chelsea at Baltimore Inner Harbor
You are the sunshine of my life.
Still at Baltimore Inner Harbor. I noticed the sun's reflection through the yellow trees and told my daughter to stand still while I looked for the best glow on her hair. I love how the image came out. I've been dreaming of doing this shot for years now and finally found that moment.
Still at Baltimore Inner Harbor. I noticed the sun's reflection through the yellow trees and told my daughter to stand still while I looked for the best glow on her hair. I love how the image came out. I've been dreaming of doing this shot for years now and finally found that moment.
i see trees are yellow
It's the fall, It's the fall, it's the fall!
A visit to the baltimore resulted to a very subtle and cool capture of the season for me. I actually consider it as a reward for my self.
We took my father-in-law to Baltimore for a casual stroll. Well, the visit and walk was actually a good way to burn calories after a very sumptuous lunch at a japanese restaurant an hour earlier.
The weather was perfect. A little breeze and a soft touch of sun sets the mood for a good afternoon fall stroll along the harbor.
A visit to the baltimore resulted to a very subtle and cool capture of the season for me. I actually consider it as a reward for my self.
We took my father-in-law to Baltimore for a casual stroll. Well, the visit and walk was actually a good way to burn calories after a very sumptuous lunch at a japanese restaurant an hour earlier.
The weather was perfect. A little breeze and a soft touch of sun sets the mood for a good afternoon fall stroll along the harbor.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Estrera's Family
My first every family portrait job. I've known the Estrera's for almost ten years now and they are like a family to me. Working with them was easy and fun.
Friday, September 25, 2009
home sweet home
{ t a m - i s }
First, let me say DAGHANG SALAMAT (Many Thanks) to my cousins and aunts who sent us a package full of sweets and pasalubongs (Presents). For us, you are not only sending sweets, you are also sending "home" with it. It seems like home is not that far away... and thanks to my sister too for the free shipping.. hehehehehe.
And so, for the photo setup. Well, my usual canon gears and for the lights, a white-led flash light. The flashlight comes very handy for small subjects. I like how the light is concentrated right in the middle.
First, let me say DAGHANG SALAMAT (Many Thanks) to my cousins and aunts who sent us a package full of sweets and pasalubongs (Presents). For us, you are not only sending sweets, you are also sending "home" with it. It seems like home is not that far away... and thanks to my sister too for the free shipping.. hehehehehe.
And so, for the photo setup. Well, my usual canon gears and for the lights, a white-led flash light. The flashlight comes very handy for small subjects. I like how the light is concentrated right in the middle.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Digital Scrapbooking
I've been into digital scrapbooking for almost years now. Here are some of my works. Click on the image to view the bigger size.
three's a company
{ u h o n g }
As I was picking up the mail, I noticed these mushrooms sprouting all over the place. It was around 5:40 in the afternoon and I was loosing the light fast. I rushed home and grabbed my camera. I told Chelsea about what I saw and brought her to the place to see it. I took some shots and of all the sets, I think this is my winner. I love the angle of the light and also the height of each mushroom. The grass around them add drama to the scene. It also represents our family - me, my wife and our daughter.. :o)
I used my 70-200 2.8IS. I was shooting at 1/100, 2.8 and 400 ISO to give it a washout effect.
As I was picking up the mail, I noticed these mushrooms sprouting all over the place. It was around 5:40 in the afternoon and I was loosing the light fast. I rushed home and grabbed my camera. I told Chelsea about what I saw and brought her to the place to see it. I took some shots and of all the sets, I think this is my winner. I love the angle of the light and also the height of each mushroom. The grass around them add drama to the scene. It also represents our family - me, my wife and our daughter.. :o)
I used my 70-200 2.8IS. I was shooting at 1/100, 2.8 and 400 ISO to give it a washout effect.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Communion Portrait - My favorite shot
{ k o m u n y o n }
Chelsea had her first Communion at St. Francis Parish Church. I took some studio shots a couple of days before. It was really fun setting up shots and trying to make things work. With a few imagination and patience, you will always have a good result. I love taking portraits and studio shots.
Chelsea had her first Communion at St. Francis Parish Church. I took some studio shots a couple of days before. It was really fun setting up shots and trying to make things work. With a few imagination and patience, you will always have a good result. I love taking portraits and studio shots.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
asian cabbage wrap
{ r e p o l y o }
A mix of ground pork, Shrimp and asian spices wrapped in a cabbage and steamed. To finish, I mixed a butter, balsamic vinegar, lime and freshly ground pepper.
A mix of ground pork, Shrimp and asian spices wrapped in a cabbage and steamed. To finish, I mixed a butter, balsamic vinegar, lime and freshly ground pepper.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
9th Year Wedding Anniversary
{ k a m i n y o o n }
It's our 9th wedding anniversary! I LOVE YOU MOM!
I gave my wife these 24 Beautiful Roses for our 9th year Wedding Anniversary. God has been very good to us. We are showered with one beautiful daughter Chelsea, good health and of course, the love for each other.
Those are our wedding rings btw. I took a macro shot of it by inverting my 70-200 2.8 IS over my 28-135.
.. waiting for the master's hand
{ p i n t o r }
After the shoot out with the wooden lion, I went downstairs where my daughter placed and arranged her presents. I took the color pallete and the brushes and tore a 3 foot artist white paper - without my daughter's consent - to be used as background. Chelsea got this painter/artist set for her birthday.
Upstairs, with my desklamp with a day light bulb took some shots in different perspective, this shot stands out.
After the shoot out with the wooden lion, I went downstairs where my daughter placed and arranged her presents. I took the color pallete and the brushes and tore a 3 foot artist white paper - without my daughter's consent - to be used as background. Chelsea got this painter/artist set for her birthday.
Upstairs, with my desklamp with a day light bulb took some shots in different perspective, this shot stands out.
puppy faced lion
{ l i y o n }
I was gathering all my photography magazines and books last night. I am starting to file them up for future reference. There are plenty of good articles, actually, most of them are. Lot's of trade secrets exposed and tricks of the trade told.
After all the piling and shelving, I took some time out with my camera and started looking around again for another victim - of my photo shot that is. Need not to look far, I saw Chelsea's wooden lion on her doll house. Small subject require small light for close ups. So took out my while led flashlight and pointed it right on top of the lion's puppy face. Click! - gotcha!
I was gathering all my photography magazines and books last night. I am starting to file them up for future reference. There are plenty of good articles, actually, most of them are. Lot's of trade secrets exposed and tricks of the trade told.
After all the piling and shelving, I took some time out with my camera and started looking around again for another victim - of my photo shot that is. Need not to look far, I saw Chelsea's wooden lion on her doll house. Small subject require small light for close ups. So took out my while led flashlight and pointed it right on top of the lion's puppy face. Click! - gotcha!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Carousel
{ k a b a y o }
We were at the mall one day and saw this beautiful decor. It was placed on the shelf right on top of the expensive ones. So we thought it was one of those expensive ones. But still we decided to take reach for it and just take a look. Surprise! surprise! it was put on sale and the price was way way way low - not just low, but low-low-low!. We hurriedly placed 2 inside our basket and off to the cash register and now sits on our display cabinet.
I took them out for a photo session. I used my black tshirt as the background. A Canon 430EX II on top and a Vivitar 285HV to the left of the camera highlighting the front of the horse. It took me some shots to finally nail the one that I really liked. Had more figure shots on my flickr account - check them out!.
We were at the mall one day and saw this beautiful decor. It was placed on the shelf right on top of the expensive ones. So we thought it was one of those expensive ones. But still we decided to take reach for it and just take a look. Surprise! surprise! it was put on sale and the price was way way way low - not just low, but low-low-low!. We hurriedly placed 2 inside our basket and off to the cash register and now sits on our display cabinet.
I took them out for a photo session. I used my black tshirt as the background. A Canon 430EX II on top and a Vivitar 285HV to the left of the camera highlighting the front of the horse. It took me some shots to finally nail the one that I really liked. Had more figure shots on my flickr account - check them out!.
Monday, August 17, 2009
County Fairground
These images are from the County Fairground. Chelsea had a blast from the rides and games. But took us 45 minutes to take the exit from the parking lot. The park was full to the brim.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
chelsea at 8
{ k a l i p a y }
Chelsea will turn 8 this August. I always prepare her invitation like a couple of months before. But this year seems to be very different and difficult for me. I've run out of ideas and plans kept on changing. Chelsea initially wanted a pool party. After a couple of calls to the community center, we were told that only 15 kids will be allowed in the party, and she has more than 25 kids on her list. So we have go back to the drawing board. We've decided to have the party at home instead and just make it simple this time.
After coming home from church, I wen't upstairs to change and the white wall on our extra room gave me an idea on the invitation.. I said to myself - a white wall, a spring bed, with 2 lights on both side (cross lighting) and a little fun and imagination, looks perfect - and so we came up with this shots..
Chelsea had a great time jumping on the bed!!
Chelsea will turn 8 this August. I always prepare her invitation like a couple of months before. But this year seems to be very different and difficult for me. I've run out of ideas and plans kept on changing. Chelsea initially wanted a pool party. After a couple of calls to the community center, we were told that only 15 kids will be allowed in the party, and she has more than 25 kids on her list. So we have go back to the drawing board. We've decided to have the party at home instead and just make it simple this time.
After coming home from church, I wen't upstairs to change and the white wall on our extra room gave me an idea on the invitation.. I said to myself - a white wall, a spring bed, with 2 lights on both side (cross lighting) and a little fun and imagination, looks perfect - and so we came up with this shots..
Chelsea had a great time jumping on the bed!!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
lemon jackfruit cupcake
Had fun baking cupcakes :o) - so I am actually hitting 3 birds with 1 stone this time.. having fun baking, taking photograph and of course, enjoying the fruit of my labor..
coconut shrimp popcorn
{ p a s a y a n }
Sad to say it but I am asthmatic. I've been this way since I was a child. There was not year that passes by without me checking into a hospital because of an attack. Binded with this health condition is the fact that it can be triggered by food. Yes, shrimps, crabs, squids - these are just some.
Luckily, I've outgrown the condition and can now have those food on our table - not just a decoration, but I prepare them myself, of course, for our consumption. I've even added lobster to the list. Life is great!!
Sad to say it but I am asthmatic. I've been this way since I was a child. There was not year that passes by without me checking into a hospital because of an attack. Binded with this health condition is the fact that it can be triggered by food. Yes, shrimps, crabs, squids - these are just some.
Luckily, I've outgrown the condition and can now have those food on our table - not just a decoration, but I prepare them myself, of course, for our consumption. I've even added lobster to the list. Life is great!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
daughter
{ a n a k }
Our only daughter Chelsea during our visit to the Cathedral at Washington, DC. She is growing fast and soon will be celebrating her 8th birthday. Time fly so fast, as if, not so long ago, she was still singing ang dancing to the Barney Song.... Now, gone are the days of purple, yellow and green dinausaurs - it's time to do the Ice Cream Freeze with Hanna Montana. :o)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
celebration
{ k a s a l }
This was the beautiful and delicious cake at Pinky and Stephen's wedding. I took this image but never found a time to work on it - it's been a year already.
For the post processing, I dragged the curve level and placed a vignette. 
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
rainglow
{ kay wala nay lain }
I was at our basement trying to figure out what my photo subject could be. Chelsea came and brought along her "lazer sword" .. well, it's not the sword from Star Wars, this one is just too fancy and colorful for Luke to use.
Lights, camera........ action!
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Just 3 seconds - if you know what I mean.
Monday, August 10, 2009
your song
{ ang harana ug ang gitara }
This may not be around anymore. For the new generation, the only way to know what it is about is to gather around your Grand Pa's and Ma's and listen to their love story.
Harana is a traditional form of courtship through music. Together with his guitar, a man pays her lady a visit by serenading underneath her window during the night. Some, tag along their friends to be a "doowoop" backup and for encouragement. It is through harana that a man may win the heart of her lady... actually, the whole family.
- Usa ra gyud imong padulngan inig ka human, dawaton ug pasak-on ka o dili ba kaha yab-an ka sa arinola ni lola. -
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A one light setup on our stairs. A Canon 430EXII snooted with a foil at 1/32 power. Camera at 1/250, ISO 100 and 8.0.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
dark bars1
{ t s o k o l i t }
Made from cocoa fruit found mostly in South America and Asia. The sweetest treat in the world is actually - bitter in its natural form. To extract the cocoa oil and powder, it is first fermented, then dried and ground. It is then packed and sacked.
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Doing another product shot.. still learning everytime.
What's for dessert?
This is one of my guilty pleasures.. just love extra dark brownies. For breakfast, I pair it with a hot coffee and for snacks, an ice cold coke..
I used the regular Betty Croaker Dark Brownies mix for the cake but added a squirt of heavy Nesquik Chocolate. I placed the extra chocolate after scooping a mix to the tray so that it will settle in the middle and would ooze when you open it.
I used the regular Betty Croaker Dark Brownies mix for the cake but added a squirt of heavy Nesquik Chocolate. I placed the extra chocolate after scooping a mix to the tray so that it will settle in the middle and would ooze when you open it.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What's for dinner? - part 4
{ m e n u d o }
Oh, so you thought it's the teen idol group that stormed the airwaves in the 80's.. I am referring to the boy band from Puerto Rico with the same name - the Menudo. Google told me that the band was originally formed back in the late 70's. I was too young to notice them and when I did, it was Ricky Martin, Robie Rosa, Charlie Maso and more.. "It's an explosion, My Love For You!!" or "Please Be Good To Me, Dont Make Me Cry Anymore!!" even "I'm Going Back To The Philippines Where My Love Is Waiting" and "Kiss Me Tonight Heavenly Angel"...
But I am talking about one of my favorite filipino recipe.. Menudo Mechado Sarsado Sarado Sinaw Nga Kaldero!
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