Walk Aim Shoot

Happy Valentine’s Day! Or Not.

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 01:16:00 +0000

D A T E : DECEMBER 1, 2011
L O C A T I O N : MANILA BAY, PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : CANON POWERSHOT S3IS
L E N S : SONY 1.7X TELECONVERTER LENS
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT

S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 400 | 1/1,250 SEC | F/5.6
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, BLACK AND WHITE CONVERSION

I found this photo while looking for some landscape stocks on my image bank. I can’t even remember snapping this, but it seemed quite fitting for the coming holiday.

So here’s something for the lonely hearts club this coming Valentine’s Day. Not everyone’s happily paired off tomorrow, but look around, you’re definitely not alone in your aloneness. Cheer up! Happy hearts day, everyone!

Lessons from a Programmed Sunset

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:53:00 +0000

D A T E : JUNE 7, 2008
L O C A T I O N : MANILA BAY, PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 18-55MM F/3.5-5.6
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT

S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 100 | 1/60 SEC | F/5.6
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

During my first few months into photography I was deathly afraid of the manual dial.

But by the time I graduated from a prosumer camera to a DSLR, I already have a basic grasp of the exposure triad; the ISO, shutter speed and aperture. But still, I kept on using the program mode on my camera, afraid that I might miss something while mixing my apertures with my shutter speeds.

I took the photo above on program mode. While it’s pretty okay, I knew that it could’ve been better if I’d taken it on manual. See, it was the camera that computed the settings for me and it said that my shutter speed should be 1/60 seconds; which was way too slow for that moving boat. If I’d set it myself, that boat would’ve been a lot sharper than what it is.

Well, lesson learned.

Insects Wide Open at 50mm

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 10:47:00 +0000

D A T E : AUGUST 11, 2014
L O C A T I O N : HIDDEN GARDEN, VIGAN CITY, ILOCOS SUR, ILOCOS REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 50MM F/1.8 D
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 1/400 SEC | F/1.8

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

I love using Nikon’s 50mm f1.8 prime lens. It’s light, fast, unforgivingly sharp and dirt cheap to get. I use it mainly to shoot street scenes, portraits and food. But once in a while, I get a bit crazy and would also use it to do landscapes, which is really a pain with its very narrow field of vision (especially on a cropped censor like my D80) and even insect shots ala macro sans the macro filter.

I would usually set it on its widest aperture, f/1.8, and try my darnedest to capture an insect along its very narrow depth of field. It is quite challenging; the DOF being so thin that the most miniscule of movements would leave your subject out of focus.

Bring in the fact that you can’t really get very close to your subject since it is really not a macro lens. What I do instead, having no real macro lens at my disposal, is simply include the subject’s environment into play. It works pretty well, that is until my pocket—which also has a very shallow depth of field—allows me to get a real macro lens.

Thirty Two Frames

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 15:34:00 +0000

D A T E : NOVEMBER 1, 2014
L O C A T I O N : MALABON PUBLIC CEMETERY, BARANGAY TUGATOG, MALABON CITY, METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 50MM F/1.8 D
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : APERTURE PRIORITY MODE | ISO 800 | 1/250 SEC | F/1.8

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

I’ve been shooting the All Saints’ Day celebration like a true zealot every year since I bought myself a camera. The nice thing about this holiday, which is somewhat like a less riotous Day of the Dead in the Philippines, is that the public cemetery in Malabon City is literally just a stroll away from our home. But every year, I found myself bringing my camera less and less, thinking perhaps that I’ve photographed everything there is to photograph about it; which I found earlier to be not quite true.

Earlier, I trudged back to my old shooting grounds and slung along my old Nikon plus a 50mm prime with me. I was surprised. In less than an hour of walking around, I think I got more keepers from the 32 times I tripped the shutter than from the hundreds I usually did every year.

#bnwchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 03:44:00 +0000

D A T E : DECEMBER 27, 2013
L O C A T I O N : CABANGAN, ZAMBALES, CENTRAL LUZON, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NOKIA LUMIA 1020
L E N S : N/A
F I L T E R : N/A
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 100 | 1/160 SEC | F/2.2

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : BLACK AND WHITE CONVERSION, CURVES

A tagging game, the #bnwchallenge, has been going around the past few weeks over at Facebook. It’s where someone would post a single black and white image for five days and tag another photographer, every time you do, to do the same for the next five days.

I’ve been seeing it doing the rounds on my newsfeed, and was quite glad that no one was tagging me. While I do have some monochrome images, I don’t profess to be the best in the genre. A successful black and white photograph requires certain disciplines. The scene has to have a good contrast, a good light gradient and a perfect subject. Not all photos look good on black and white.

And for this reason, I was dreading to be a part of the challenge. Doing monochrome photographs is hard and I simply love my photos in color.

Alas, someone finally remembered my name and tagged me. And for the past few days, I’ve been scratching my head and scouring my library to look for a photo that can rise up to the challenge. Hannah Reyes, this is all your fault. :P

On Shooting People

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:17:00 +0000

D A T E : FEBRUARY 29, 2008
L O C A T I O N : AYALA AVE., MAKATI CITY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : CANON POWERSHOT S3IS
L E N S : N/A
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 80 | 1/25 SEC | F/3.5

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

There was a time that I was really into street photography and photo journalism. I walked the streets, wanting to get that perfect black and white shot. I joined rallies and protest marches, running as the crowd ran.

I was that new guy with the bright shiny camera back then. The one that’s too shy to train a lens on any living person.

Somehow, I now find it quite ironic, looking some years back. I can’t imagine a street photographer too shy to point a camera and shoot a person face to face.

But… Where’s the Foreground?

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 07:23:00 +0000

D A T E : MARCH 6, 2013
L O C A T I O N : BACUIT BAY, EL NIDO, PALAWAN, MIMAROPA REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : B+W 77MM ND106
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 15 SEC | F/8

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, TEXTURE ADDED

First rule of landscape photography is—use a foreground to anchor your image in.

The second rule of landscape photography is—use a foreground to anchor your image in.

Foreground. Foreground. Foreground. The boon or bane of a successful landscape photograph.

True enough, especially if you’re using an UWA (Ultra Wide Angle) lens, a foreground helps in leading your viewer’s eyes around your photo. It makes them explore it. It makes them pause and look some more.

But sometimes there are instances when such rules do not apply. Times that you simply have to toss the rule book and go with your gut feel.

Cosplayers Rule!

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 03:39:00 +0000

D A T E : APRIL 11, 2010
L O C A T I O N : OZINE FEST, MEGAMALL, PASIG CITY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 50MM F/1.8
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : NIKON SB-600 BOUNCE TTL
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 1/100 SEC | F/2.8

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, TEXTURE ADDED

One other thing I really dig about going to toycons are the hordes of anime geeks donning crazy outfits portraying their favorite characters. Granted, there are not a few whose costumes are a bit on the sloppy side (but hey, I still give them an A for effort), but there are those who really put on a show and will just amaze you with their outfit.

If you want to practice your skill in portraiture or simply build up your confidence in asking a total stranger for a quick photo, a comicons and toycons are one of the best places to do it. These guys aren’t shy to have their pictures taken, in fact, they like it when people ask for them. Well, the only thing is you have to find a suitable background for your models, like I mean, somewhere without the crowd or mall advertisement or whatever distracting thing.

But one thing’s for sure, cosplayers rule!

Yes, I do need to see your identification.

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 09:53:00 +0000

D A T E : JUNE 14, 2008
L O C A T I O N : TOYCON, MEGAMALL, MANDALUYONG CITY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 18-55MM F/3.5-5.6
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 1000 | 1/15 SEC | F/5.6
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, PHOTO FILTER

Before the photography bug hit me, I was really into collecting toys. Not that I don’t collect them anymore, but it has toned down a lot since my attention was diverted into more expensive ones—like cameras, lenses, filters and what nots.

These two hobbies blended together when I visited a toy convention in a mall somewhere. Since I really couldn’t afford to buy every Star Wars toys in sight, I made do with simply taking photographs of them. At least I get to bring them home without withdrawing all my savings to the last centavo.

Err, but wait, there’s really nothing more to withdraw. My cameras claimed them all.

Wedding Photography, Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 01:30:00 +0000

D A T E : JULY 6, 2008
L O C A T I O N : PASIG CITY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 18-55MM F/3.5-536
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : APERTURE PRIORITY MODE | ISO 640 | 1/100 SEC | F/5.3

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

You take really good photos; can you shoot my wedding please?

I have received not a few of these messages ever since picking up a camera more than six years ago. My usual reply? A polite no. I then usually refer them to another photographer whom I know would do justice to one of the most important days of their lives. Why? Because I know that I’m simply not a superb wedding photographer. I know where my strengths and weaknesses lie and I simply don’t want to ruin someone’s big day just because of ego (and a big payout, yes that too, lol)

Why not try it? is the usual reply I get after turning them down.

Well, I tried it twice. And I can confidently say that wedding photography is not for me.

* Please don’t mind the camera settings, I was a total newbie when I took this shot lol

The Ungolden Hour

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 07:35:00 +0000

D A T E : AUGUST 9, 2014
L O C A T I O N : MINDORO BEACH, BRGY. MINDORO, VIGAN CITY, ILOCOS SUR, ILOCOS REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : B+W 77MM ND110
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 30 SEC | F/5.6
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, BLACK AND WHITE CONVERSION

Monochromes always have its appeal to me. It works well, and is a favorite, for most photographers shooting street, but surprisingly, it also works wonders for landscape photographs; especially if the golden hour doesn’t cooperate with your wishes for a grand display of colors.

So it was when I was shooting these massive jackstones at Vigan’s Mindoro Beach. The slamming waves were perfect for a long exposure shot and I have suitable subjects for the image I have in my mind. The only thing missing were the warm splashes of colors as the sun retires for the day.

What to do? I removed all colors and simply let the subject speak for itself.

* And yeah, I decided to bring back real titles for my photos. Hope none of my nine loyal readers would unsubscribe because of that. :P

Somewhere Above the Netherlands

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 07:25:00 +0000

D A T E : OCTOBER 20, 2011
L O C A T I O N : SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE NETHERLANDS

C A M E R A : NIKON D90
L E N S : NIKKOR 55-200MM F/4.0-5.6
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 200 | 1/1000 SEC | F/8

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

While the normal thing to photograph while on board a cabin of a hurtling plane are the interesting bird’s eye view of the landscapes below. Sometimes, you just get lucky and witness an aircraft speeding right alongside yours.

Yes folks, that is an airplane right at the front end of that dark exhaust line.

And that is as far as my telephoto lens go, unfortunately.

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 06:12:00 +0000

D A T E : MAY 15, 2011
L O C A T I O N : JAVA HOTEL, BRGY. 55-B, SALET, LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES
C A M E R A : CANON POWERSHOT S3IS
L E N S : N/A
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 100 | 1/1600 SEC | F/4
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, BLACK AND WHITE CONVERSION

Photographing birds requires unending patience, serious skills and loads of money.

I can probably be patient enough to try it. For the skills, I can also probably develop it through time. But the last one, I can probably just leave to those with fat bank accounts.

The hefty prices of lenses alone would make you fly out of bird photography faster than your avian subjects fly out of your frame.

So how do you photograph birds without breaking the bank? You do it creatively.

Coron, Palawan

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 03:37:00 +0000

D A T E : MAY 20, 2014
L O C A T I O N : EL RIO Y MAR RESORT, BRGY. SAN JOSE, CORON, PALAWAN, MIMAROPA, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 16-85MM F/3.5-5.6
F I L T E R : HOYA HD CPL
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : APERTURE PRIORITY MODE | ISO 100 | 4 SEC | F/16

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

Staying at an ultra cold air-conditioned room is problematic for photographers in tropical countries.

It was an exquisite Palawan morning I woke up to that day. There was a nice cloud formation and the sun was just striking it with the right kind of light. I quickly got my camera from my bag, took off its cap, peered through the viewfinder and lo and behold. Fog.

The change in temperature fogged the lens filter and the viewfinder. Wiping it off didn’t work.

I waited for the camera to adjust to the temperature as I watched the sun throw off a bravado of colors into the sky. After what seemed like forever, the camera is finally usable.

I was able to get one good photo of the pastels before everything transformed to a normal morning.

Manila Bay, Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 06:39:00 +0000

D A T E : FEBRUARY 13, 2008
L O C A T I O N : CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES, MANILA, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : CANON POWERSHOT S3IS
L E N S : N/A
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 80 | 1/400 SEC | F/3.5

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, PHOTO FILTER

Many claim that Manila Bay has the best sunset in the country.

While I normally would’ve technically explained that sunsets in most western coastal parts of the Philippines are generally the same, since really, they are basically looking at the same dying sun wherever they may be. But there’s really something about Manila Bay’s sundown that’s undeniably beautiful.

Maybe it’s the pollution or simple luck, but I cannot remember ever being disappointed by the watching the day end at this part of the Philippines.

Tugatog Cemetery, Malabon City

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:06:00 +0000

D A T E : JANUARY 13, 2014
L O C A T I O N : TUGATOG CEMETERY, BRGY. TUGATOG, MALABON CITY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, PHILIPPINES
C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 30 SEC | F/5.6
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

Moon Rings. Moon Dogs. 22° Halo. Winter Halo.

Whatever they may call it, it’s that circular band that encircles the Earth’s natural satellite when it is particularly bright. It refracts millions of randomly oriented hexagonal crystals in the evening atmosphere, creating that mysterious halo around it.

I’ve always wanted to photograph one ever since seeing the phenomenon as a child. I was collecting candle droppings then during All Saints Day at the Tugatog Cemetery, which was just one tumbling from our house.

And earlier this evening, I witnessed the same phenomenon once more.

I quickly went back to my room for my camera and together with a few homies, went to the cemetery to photograph the mysterious halo. It took four shots in the dark before I finally got the image I wanted.

Moon Rings. Checked.

Sabtang Island, Batanes

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:53:00 +0000

D A T E : JANUARY 6, 2014
L O C A T I O N : SABTANG LIGHTHOUSE, BARANGAY MALAKDANG, SABTANG ISLAND, BATANES, CAGAYAN VALLEY, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : 77MM IRSHOP INFRARED FILTER
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 30 SEC | F/8

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, IR COLOR CORRECTION

It’s always a struggle for me to take infrared photos of places I visit.

Besides the cumbersome process of taking one which I’ve discussed numerous times before, there’s always the image noise that comes with converting the image to the traditional IR snap. And this one from Batanes’ Sabtang Lighthouse is no exception. I even had to resort to image noise reduction to make it decent for your computer screens.

Mall of Asia, Pasay City

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:50:00 +0000

D A T E : JUNE 7, 2008
L O C A T I O N : MALL OF ASIA, BAY CITY, PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : NIKKOR 18-55MM F/3.5-5.6
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 100 | 1/60 SEC | F/6.3

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

Filipinos consider malls as the new parks.

This is where people shop, congregate and eat out; but they’re usually uninteresting photography-wise.

The Mall of Asia in Pasay City is one such place. We usually visit it to dine at their seafood dishes at Dampa, but once in a while, I get to see a facet that deserves a click of the shutter button. An interesting detail, a good play of color, a nice set of lines.

Wright Park, Baguio City

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 07:57:00 +0000

D A T E : OCTOBER 15, 2013
L O C A T I O N : WRIGHT PARK, BAGUIO CITY, BENGUET, CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : 77MM IRSHOP INFRARED FILTER
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 30 SEC | F/8
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, IR COLOR CORRECTION

I’ve always wanted to take an infrared photo of one of Baguio City’s many tourist attractions. These places have already been photographed endlessly since the Americans converted this mountainous region into a city. But I have seen only a few instances when they were taken using infrared light.

It is painstakingly cumbersome to take a single infrared image. One has to set up a tripod, screw in an IR Filter, set the correct white balance and calculate the exposure time before pressing the shutter button.

Up to now, I’m still unsure if the photos I took during those sessions are any good until I process the raw file in Photoshop.

I’m lucky this one from Baguio’s iconic Wright Park turned out pretty well.

Burnham Park, Baguio City

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 06:21:00 +0000

D A T E : JULY 8, 2008
L O C A T I O N : BURNHAM PARK, BAGUIO CITY, BENGUET, CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : CANON POWERSHOT S3IS
L E N S : N/A
F I L T E R : RAYNOX DCR-250 CLOSE UP FILTER
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : PROGRAM MODE | ISO 80 | 1/200 SEC | F/3.5

P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

It’s the last month of the year and the air has again that certain nippy bite to it; perfect time to revisit the City of Pines.

I still remember the first time I took my first camera out into a trip. It was in Baguio City. I was still as green as can be and as unfamiliar with the city as tourists confusedly poring over various Baguio itineraries and travel guides.

It’s been more than half a decade since. I guess I’m not that green anymore and I definitely know Baguio City like the back of my hands.

The only thing that remains, my same love and yearning for that cold pine city.

Puka Beach, Boracay

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 04:12:00 +0000

D A T E : AUGUST 24, 2013
L O C A T I O N : PUKA BEACH, BRGY. YAPAK, BORACAY ISLAND, MALAY, AKLAN, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : 77MM IRSHOP INFRARED FILTER
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT

S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 30 SEC | F/2.8
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, COLOR INVERT

Okay. So it’s been a while since I last updated this blog. The excuse always is: I’ve been busy. But that’s really the way it is.

Anyways!

I finally loaded an infrared shot I took from a trip some weeks ago. The first infrared I did in a long long while. I took four different shots from Boracay’s Puka Beach and only one came out to my liking after the IR conversion process. And look, it has a human element too! (clap!)

Hope you guys like it. :)

The New Kid in Town

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:16:00 +0000

D A T E : AUGUST 1, 2013
L O C A T I O N : MUNOZ, QUEZON CITY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : SONY NEX5N
L E N S : SONY E-MOUNT 18-55MM F3.5/5.6
F I L T E R : NONE
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 3200 | 1/25 SEC | F/5.6
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : BLACK AND WHITE CONVERSION, CURVES, VIGNETTE, GRAIN

My camera bag is already as heavy as a refrigerator. I’m actually thinking of switching to a lighter set up, like a mirrorless system perhaps.

Unfortunately, I saw an ad a few days ago. A guy from a street photography club I’m with is selling his pristine Nikon D3000 at a price point that I simply cannot refuse. I’ve always been dreaming of getting a second body to accompany my Nikon D80 and spare Nikkor 16-85mm lens that has been gathering serious dust since I bought it years back. I would have preferred a D7000, but beggars cannot be choosers.

Welcome to the club, D3000! You’d have all sorts of scratches, dings and duct tapes soon enough.

And yeah, there goes my dream of having a lighter set up.

Bolinao, Pangasinan

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 07:19:00 +0000

D A T E : NOVEMBER 12, 2012
L O C A T I O N : PATAR ROCK FORMATION, BRGY. PATAR, BOLINAO, PANGASINAN, ILOCOS REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : 77MM ND106 B+W FILTER
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO 100 | 3 SEC | F/8
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES

I clicked my shutter, waited for three seconds and gazed at my camera’s viewfinder. No good.

The image was muddled from the sea spray that pervaded my ND filter. I can see a ghost of a good photograph, but it really was not up to par. My thumb neared the delete button; I thought once, twice and thrice. I held off deleting the obscure picture.

And I’m glad I did. Sometimes, you just have to trust your instinct, how hazy it maybe.

San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 06:34:00 +0000

D A T E : NOVEMBER 4, 2012
L O C A T I O N : MALATAN-OG WATERFALLS VIEWDECK, DON SALVADOR BENEDICTO, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, WESTERN VISAYAS REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : 77MM HOYA HD CPL FILTER
M O U N T : HANDHELD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO100 | 1/13 SEC | F/8
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, BLACK AND WHITE CONVERSION, VIGNETTE

Gray skies are sad and electric poles are lonely. Black and whites drain.

It's only right that you should play the way you feel it
But listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness
Like a heartbeat drives you mad
In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost, and what you had, and what you lost

Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental

noreply@blogger.com (Christian L. Sangoyo) — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:29:00 +0000

D A T E : NOVEMBER 4, 2012
L O C A T I O N : MALATAN-OG WATERFALLS VIEWDECK, DON SALVADOR BENEDICTO, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, WESTERN VISAYAS REGION, PHILIPPINES

C A M E R A : NIKON D80
L E N S : TOKINA 11-16MM F/2.8
F I L T E R : 77MM IRSHOP INFRARED FILTER
M O U N T : BENRO TRAVEL ANGEL TRIPOD
L I G H T : AMBIENT
S E T T I N G S : MANUAL MODE | ISO100 | 30 SEC | F/5.6
P O S T - P R O C E S S I N G N O T E S : CURVES, COLOR INVERT

Infrared photography is not for everybody. The process of taking one is so freakin’ cumbersome.

First you compose your image without a filter. You set your focus point to your desired place. You screw on your infrared filter. You then hope that your camera would focus on your wanted location (if not, repeat second and third step). Finally, you dial in the customized white balance for your camera and the correct exposure settings.

Press the shutter and cross your finger that the final image is spot on.

But it doesn’t end there. You still have to post process the photo to correct your sky and foliage color.

And yet I kept on doing it. Ugh.