Ciritical Mass Ride-Firefly Brigade

The Firefly Brigade holds a monthly themed Critical Mass Ride (CMR) which basically runs through city streets within Metro Manila.  This month’s theme is “Wet T-Shirt Ride” in step with the coming rainy season.  The 280 strong group started off from the Greenhills Shopping Center riding through Mandaluyong City, Makati City, a stopover at McKinley Hills at the Bonifacio Global City.  On the way to Pasig City, the rain poured but did not dampen (pun intended) the riders’ spirits.  Slowly but surely the group made it to Pasig and back to Greenhills.

Tina and I enjoy these monthly CMRs.  It give us time off from work and to be together in an activity that we both enjoy.  This is also an opportunity to meet cool and interesting people who also love the fun of riding.  Click here for more images.

Mountain Biking

My wife Tina and I started mountain biking early this year and its been quite an experience.  We initially bought built bikes and started this wonderful journey of trail and urban rides in the last five months.  Since then, Tina upgraded to a whole new full suspension bike while I chose to upgrade select parts on mine.  I’ve had two unforgettable crashes already.  One at the University of the Philippines oval and the other at the La Mesa Watershed.  But they did not deter me from going back to the saddle each time.  Biking, if done properly and safely is a great way to exercise!   Tina’s blog says a lot about our experiences.

Passing through small communities within the trail.

Eating. One of the pleasures of biking.

Food Photography

Haven’t blogged for quite sometime.  Been busy but hey, its not an excuse.  Here’s the real reason:  I am still trying to get up to speed with this blogging thing.  Really.  My daughter Patricia is putting me to shame with her blog site. So here are some menu images I took last May for The Room Upstairs owned by Ari and Pinky Peralta located at the second floor of the LRI Building along Reposo St., Makati City.  The images were taken using natural light, reflectors and a bit of flash.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In these trying times and humbling situations, let us be thankful for being blessed with our families and friends.  May you be blessed with peace and prosperity in 2009!  Glory be to God!

Cheers!

Turning Japanese

Last November 18, Tina and I were commissioned by Mr. Philip Sanvictores of Yagimoku Philippines, Inc. to take  images of a 3-unit  Japanese designed townhouse aptly named Chidori located in No. 4 Scout Fernandez St., Laging Handa, QC. I found the place to be authentic Japanese and so inspiring.  Minor adjustments have been implemented to adapt to our local culture but Japanese home building technology is evident all throughout the place.  Here are two HDR images that show what I mean.  Interested?  Here’s a link to their site.

Coming home from work, I can just sit down and contemplate in front of this garden.  And this is just the garage area.

How would you like to come home to this?  Notice the LCD projector on the ceiling? Awesome!

Thank you Brother Philip, Sister Maribel, Ayet, Mian, Dana and all the staff of Yagimoku Philippines for the giving us the opportunity to document such a wonderful place! God bless you all.

One More Cityscape

An additional image from my event shoot last Saturday.   Taken a bit ealier than the image in my previous post and converted to black and white.  I hope you also like this.  Take care and God Bless you.

Cityscape at Night

My wife Tina‘s Maryknoll High School batch ’88 had their 20th anniversary reunion last November 8 and I was very fortunate to be the official photographer of the event.  It was an experience being with almost a hundred lovely and vivacious ladies.  I was assigned (by no less than my boss, Tina) at the photo wall.  While waiting for the event to start, I went over to the balcony overlooking the city and took some long exposures.  Here’s my pick of the lot.

I would like to thank Donna Simpao and the organizing committee for the opportunity to shoot the event.

Pat’s Birthday

Today, my second daughter Patricia or Pat, as we have gotten used to calling her, turned 12.  After our Sunday church service, the whole family had lunch at TGI Friday’s at Bonifacio High Street.  Lunch was attended by her grandfather (my wife’s father), aunts and uncle.  Of my three daughters, Pat is the most athletic which explains why she chose a Swingboard for her gift.  After a few minutes practicing with the board, she got the hang of it.  Way to go Pat! We are so proud of you. Happy Birthday!

The Birthday Girl

Pat with her brand new Swingboard

Getting the hang of it. Go Pat!

Engagement Photos of Peter and Cha

In our wedding photography business, my wife handles mostly creative direction, post processing and layouts. I handle most of the technical stuff like lighting and lying down on the ground or hanging up a tree to get a different shot angle .  But I like to do a bit of post processing myself.  Trying my hand at this, here are two images of Peter and Cha in taken Intramuros last October 25 for their upcoming wedding on November 29 at Caleruega in Batangas.  We had a great time in this session together with Bong Manayon and Enzo Munoz. The couple really knew how to “work it” in front of the camera as you can see in these images  More of their photos can be viewed at tinazamora.com

Note:  The doves in the image on the right took flight at the exact time I was taking the photo. Cool!

Focusing in Low Light

When shooting people in very low light, instead of relying on the AF assist light, what I do is have the subject hold a mobile phone with the display light open under the chin (similar to holding a light meter) and spot my focus there.   Works well especially with off-camera flash.  Here’s a sample image taken on a 30D with a 580EX.