Shooting cascades in Papa-a
As soon as I saw small cascades running down the stream, I immediately thought it would be good to do long exposures. It was just disappointing that I did not bring my tripod [again!]. But then I felt I had to shoot.
Awesome sunset in Butuan City
It is not very often you get to witness a stunning sunset that gives you goosebumps. For a photography junkie like me, you should never, never, never let it pass just like that.
Winning a photo contest
Winning a photo contest for the first time (well, officially and with a prize for that matter) gives a different high!
Missing Cordi
From afar, I could already see the clouds rolling over the mountaintops. It was a sight to behold. So I asked the driver of our vehicle going to Buguias, Benguet to stop so I can capture this once-in-lifetime scene.
Cory Aquino: An inexhaustible gift to democracy
She further stressed the belief that the Filipino people, as a nation, can be great again. During her last State of the Nation Address (SONA), she said: I believe in the inexhaustible giftedness of the Filipino people.
Conversation with a cab driver on climate change
Ironically, this cab driver who would like to contribute something help curb climate change and global warming, by planting his narra tree becomes discouraged and disappointed...
At home [and at peace] with HDR Photography
HDR is not bad per se. HDR is nice to learn. In fact it is a must for non-pro like me to learn HDR to learn more about shadow and light and exposure, which is the crux of photography.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
20 | As we end our mourning
Early this year, we faced a big test. Losing a mother was painful. She was our mentor, best friend, a confidante, our chef, and everything for us. Losing Mamang was like losing an anchor, but just like what I mentioned in my earlier blog about her, there was a reason for her leaving us. Until now, the teacher that she is, she is still teaching us a lesson--about being a family. We have not lost an anchor, and we did not drift far apart. We realized we are safely tied up together.
I could only go back to the sweet memories. Remembering her still pinches the soft spot in me, but everything has to go on, just like the way she wanted us all to be. Every time I pay her a tribute, I feel a certain loss, but her memories will always fill me.
As we end our mourning today, we raise her up to Our Creator.
She's in good hands.
I could only go back to the sweet memories. Remembering her still pinches the soft spot in me, but everything has to go on, just like the way she wanted us all to be. Every time I pay her a tribute, I feel a certain loss, but her memories will always fill me.
As we end our mourning today, we raise her up to Our Creator.
She's in good hands.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
21 - A star lamp is born!
Earlier, I blogged about a set of busted Christmas lights and wondered where I could use it. Then I noticed a lamp inside the bedroom, which we do not actually use for the longest time. Besides, it's sinamay fabric is already a bit faded, ergo, it does not look good. I got the lamp as a gift from one of project partners in Davao and I do not want to give it away for some sentimental reasons.
So I thought, perhaps sprucing it up a bit could make that lamp shade put to good use again. So, I tried putting the stars on, and it just does not work. I tried again, and the stars could not fill the entire shade. Then I tried again, leaving some spaces, and now I got extra 3 stars and I was tired to remove them again.
I turned off the main light and tried it out and voila! I was happy with the result! In fact I can make use of this the whole yer round since stars have that universal appeal and there are only primary colors, except for the green.
So here it is!
and the full size...
Do I have a chance at designing? I only used 2 meters of fine GI wire (that includes the wasted ones) and s small long nosed pliers to secure them in place.
I knew I could make something out of a trash!
So I thought, perhaps sprucing it up a bit could make that lamp shade put to good use again. So, I tried putting the stars on, and it just does not work. I tried again, and the stars could not fill the entire shade. Then I tried again, leaving some spaces, and now I got extra 3 stars and I was tired to remove them again.
I turned off the main light and tried it out and voila! I was happy with the result! In fact I can make use of this the whole yer round since stars have that universal appeal and there are only primary colors, except for the green.
So here it is!
and the full size...
Do I have a chance at designing? I only used 2 meters of fine GI wire (that includes the wasted ones) and s small long nosed pliers to secure them in place.
I knew I could make something out of a trash!
Friday, December 4, 2009
22 - Star
Two years ago, when I blogged about the family tradition of putting up the Christmas tree, I have already noticed that something was different. Yes the boys are growing up and the kind of excitement is almost over. Gio is now 15 going on 16, and will be going to college 2011. How time flies! Gelo is now 11, and will be in his teens soon. Our babies are no longer "our babies".
This year, putting up and sprucing up the tree was a little late. We usually put up the tree after the Halloween. But the typhoon Ondoy has somehow dampened our spirit and "affected" our house, and we decided it was time to had to repaint the interiors. Well this time, it is celery green instead of the usual white boring walls. So decorating for Christmas, was done in between available time. It sounds like a rut, but we thought, "in the spirit of Christmas." And yes, Gelo still wants the tree being spruced up. After all he is still a kid.
Putting up the last piece of the tree, the star, has always been assigned to the youngest. Still, Gelo has that privilege, and so I grabbed this opportunity to record what he likes doing for the past years.
Christmas is near...
This year, putting up and sprucing up the tree was a little late. We usually put up the tree after the Halloween. But the typhoon Ondoy has somehow dampened our spirit and "affected" our house, and we decided it was time to had to repaint the interiors. Well this time, it is celery green instead of the usual white boring walls. So decorating for Christmas, was done in between available time. It sounds like a rut, but we thought, "in the spirit of Christmas." And yes, Gelo still wants the tree being spruced up. After all he is still a kid.
Putting up the last piece of the tree, the star, has always been assigned to the youngest. Still, Gelo has that privilege, and so I grabbed this opportunity to record what he likes doing for the past years.
Christmas is near...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
23 - A Christmas gift
Last September, I received an email from ABS-CBN, and it says:
Dear Mr. Ding Fuellos,
We have recently visited your gallery of beautiful photographs over the internet. We are most impressed by your creativity and exemplary skills. We hope that you are open to the idea of donating one of your photographs for the benefit of our Alay sa Batang Basileno campaign, a project that will equip schools in the war-torn towns of Tipo-Tipo, Lamitan, Sumisip and other nearby communities in Basilan with educational television video materials like Sinekwela, Mathinik, Bayani and Hirayamanawari . We believe that by providing children with supplementary learning materials, we will be able to contribute to the long–term peace efforts in the province. Last July, we were able to reach out to 17 schools by giving them educational video libraries, school supplies and a special teacher training orientation on educational television. We are determined to go back to Basilan next year to help some more students and teachers.
Part of our fundraising campaign is the production of “Nais Ko: Mga Pangarap ng Batang Pinoy” calendar . The images will depict aspirations of a Filipino child for himself, his community, his school, his family and his country. You are free to interpret the theme in your photograph. We will be happy with images that convey hope, inspire national pride and the pursuit for excellence . You may send an image from your existing file or capture a new one specifically for the project.
In appreciation of your donation of time and resources, we will be happy to issue you a certificate of donation which you may use to avail of tax incentives next year, complimentary copies of the calendar and an acknowledgment of your photograph in the promotional activities that we will undertake. We also guarantee that you will be properly acknowledged by including your name and contact information in the photo credits.
If you are willing to accept this invitation to take part in the project, please feel free to call us at ***** or email us at *******. We will be happy to hear from you soon.
I also thought that this gesture is a good birthday gift for me, and my gift to humanity. However, the typhoon Ondoy put a halt to this, and I thought that ABS-CBN foundation is no longer interested. Today, as I was contemplating on what to post for my 3rd countdown day, I got an email from them again that is requesting for a particular photo, which is this....
So all in the name of Batang Basileño, I am just glad to share my photo with them.
I can't describe my feelings, but I am just honored with this request for me to donate my photo. I can't wait to see the calendar. Hope you can also buy one of those when they are already available.
Thanks a lot, ABS-CBN Foundation for believing in me.
24 - To go or not to go?
Day 2 - Countdown to Christmas 2009
It has been one year and I never really paid attention to this busted set of Christmas lights we bought a few years back. It did serve us for at least three (3) Christmases. Not bad! Anyway, I saw this on a pile of things that needed to be disposed (We usually dispose "garbage" at the end of the year.), and I thought that, perhaps, I could make something out of it.
The Ondoy tragedy brought many people to be concerned about the environment including me. (Although many critics say that the the issue on global warming is one big money-making scam, because global warming is a natural phenomenon, so they say, and we are but heading towards that direction--as a matter of course. But that is not my discourse for now.). Still, i think and feel that it is my moral responsibility to protect my "home."
So back to recycling these stars.
One of my flickr contacts commented: "reduce reuse recycle. your xmas gift to mother nature:)."
Oh yes! why not? That is what I exactly have in mind. I mentioned in my Flickr page, that I just need some time patience and time to make something out of it. Creativity is not a problem! It runs in my DNA! [pun intended--if you know that PGMA blurb!].
Cheers for an environmentally friendly Christmas!
