Sunsets and more!

I had the chance today to take some pictures in our area. Though it may not be that great but I guess its a good way to hone my skills. I went under the bridge connecting Cebu and Mactan and was able to take few pictures while the sun is about to set. The picture below is the 2nd Mactan-Mandaure Bridge. Taken from down below.


While I was there, I also took a picture of the old bridge. The picture above is actually the new one connecting Cebu and Mactan. Here is the picture of the old bridge from my end.




I guess it really matter much the lighting condition. I am sure that if I took it on a noon time, the effect would not be like the ones I have posted here. Well, here are some other sunset pictures I have taken the previous day in a different location.












Well that's it for now. I am still new in the world of photography. There are still many things to learn. I hope to develop this skill and present great pictures later on. For the meantime, I will just have to be satisfied with the pictures above.

A day in Kawasan Falls

I had the chance to visit Kawasan Falls and was able to take some pictures. If in case you have not visited the place, perhaps these pictures will make you decide to go there.






The pictures above is not the main falls but just some of the d small streams of water within the area. Going to Kawasan is very easy. All you need to do is go to the South Bus Terminal and take a bus (Ceres) heading for Badian. Its actually a 3 hour ride by bus and 2 hours ride by private vehicle if you wish to go there. Once you reach Badian proper, you go continue moving until you reach Matutinao. You will not miss the place since you can easily ask any resident in the area for directions. If you take a bus, then just advise the bus driver that you wish to disembark in Kawasan.


This is the main falls (First Falls) in Kawasan. There are actually two main waterfall in the area. You can even reach the source. Cottages are available for overnight stay and the place is very safe.


This is the entry towards the main falls..... so what do you think? Just bear in mind that you need to walk around 15-20 minutes from the main road before reaching the heart of Kawasan Falls, but I'm sure its worth every step.....

Pictorial Practice November 4, 2011

Due to the long holiday, I had the chance to bring out my camera and do some practice shots. The picture below is a restaurant (under renovation) in Day-as, Cordova, Cebu Province. Picture was taken during sunset.



I have read a book that one of the important things to consider in photography is a "Good Light" This is usually a few minutes before and after sunrise and a few minuter before and after sunset. I guess, what I have read is clearly true. Look at the difference on the picture below. I did not change any setting for both. All I did was take the picture a during sunset and a few minutes before sunset... you could clearly see the difference.







Looking forward to my next pictorial practice... See you around guys!

Our Shooting Video

Just adding up to our shooting adventure. A video was taken yet I was not able to load it here. So here's the video:





Not to be outdone, here is my buddy Leo,






Well, I am back in Cebu right now and will be in Cagayan by next week. Hope to be able to take some photos from there....

A Night In Kidapawan's Grand Ficus Hotel

restaurant at Ficus Hotel

If you have been following my blog, you will surely know that I am now in Kidapawan and my previous post was the firing activity that we did. Well, though I have posted this late, after the firing activity, we stayed in our room to relax and wait for evening to come. I would have wanted to sleep, but I do not have the habit of sleeping in the afternoon. So by 3 in the afternoon, I took my favorite snacks.. a cup of coffee outside my room.


Truly Kidapawan City always have this normal drizzle of rain usually in the afternoon, most of time. It might be because of the trees in the area that always provide the cooling effect within the surrounding. I took a couple of shots on some nearby flowers and plants, just to see if I have improved my picture taking abilities... this is what I got... well, whether you like the picture or not, it truly proves that the drizzle was there proving once again that Kidapawan City is obviously cool.

So evening came, we proceeded to Grand Ficus Hotel where we had our dinner in one of the cottages near the poolside. The place is eventually great and is indeed a good place to relax and unwind...

rooms at Ficus Hotel

one of the cottage near the swimming pool

the swimming pool

the restaurant... a closer look

Well, If you happen to pass by Kidapawan and would want to stay, you can surely check out the place. Its just near the Kidapawan Terminal in near the heart of the city.. See you on my next post....

Our Kidapawan Adventure Part 2

Guns and Roses!

I am now in Kidapawan City, a day earlier than our training schedule. There was not much to do except to let the day pass by and just relax. But our coordinator had something different in mind. By 10 in the morning they pick us up from our humble abode so that we can go on firing. Yes, their usual hobby… Our host Dr. Abejo and his wife Mam Sonia are avid shooters, including their children. They usually spent time going to the firing range from time to time.

So we proceeded to a firing range in a Military Camp stationed in Makilala, just a few kilometres drive from Kidapawan City.

Upon arrival, our able and energetic coordinator wasted no time preparing the gears and setting up the target as I set up the camera to capture this special moment.

Along with us were some nurses who have joined our training before. This is their first time to shoot a weapon. I am sure that they are very much excited to do so.

Of course no firing is done without proper safety. So Sir Bong conducted a short safety briefing to our first time shooters. He fired a few rounds so that they can see what it is like.

After such, each of us took turns firing the weapon. If you have not fired yet, I'm telling you, firing is fun and tiring. It can also make you hungry. So after firing, we proceeded to a restaurant or shall I say carenderia which serves all kinds of dishes from goat meat. It was indeed a great adventure. We laid back to our room and was advised to rest.. I have a feeling that we are going for another adventure by the evening...

I will certainly update you on our evening adventure. Stay tuned.... But before I go, I would like to thank our Sir Bong for this wonderful adventure!!!

A Night at the Mactan Shrine

MACTAN SHRINE

I have traveled to different places and have posted pictures I have taken here in this blog of mine. Yet I have not posted anything about my place. Just today, I went to the Mactan Shrine and had the chance to take some pictures of the place.

The Mactan Shrine is such a historical Place. This according to history, was the place where Lapu-lapu and Magellan happened.

park @ mactan shrine

The Picture above shows Lapu-lapu at the far end overlooking the sea, watching as if Magellan will ever come again. During the battle, Magellan was killed. The event happened sometime on the year 1521. Well, that was long ago, the place right now is a very beautiful site to view and stroll around. It has become a tourist attraction.




As I sit down and let the time pass by, I could not help but take another shot, as I see the moon on top of the shrine. I could have taken a better view, but the gates were locked. From what I understand, it has always been locked to prevent people from climbing up for safety reasons... Well, I will just have to be satisfied with the pictures above....




One more thing, if you get tired walking, there are a lot of Sutukil restaurants very near the shrine. It has also become a haven for people who want to eat seafoods at its best... Check it out when you visit Mactan, Lapu-lapu City.