Kids and Kites

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One of the best memories I had with my internship was meeting these kids in Lapu-Lapu City. I suggested the place to my senior writer, Reb, when he was looking for some kite-flying kids for a feature. I've seen a couple of kites near the Mandaue-Mactan bridge which led me to suggesting the story.

john-john

We were surprised that an innocent kite-flying story had some deeper story. John-john's story was like those you'd see in movies. He was battered by his grand uncle in Leyte and came back to Cebu even without a single cent for the boat fare. Despite all that, he had a simple goal for summer and that's to make kites. 

Looking at these kids I can't help but feel how selfish I've become. As we get old, we tend to want bigger and nicer things. However, kids just want to make and fly kites that they can be proud of. They just laugh and joke around like they don't have any problems, even if they have big ones. I wish I can still have their enthusiasm and outlook in life, especially during dragging days.

john-john looking up at the kites.

*photos taken with Fujifilm XTRA 400 (expired) in Minolta Maxxum 3*

From A Point to Another

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There are trips that you just have to make, even if you really don't want take them. There are trips that you really want, but doesn't happen. Well, this was more of the former.

Most often long trips that you have to take alone paves way to some moments of reflection, especially when there are big waves and you don't know how to swim. Sometimes that awkward silence with your seatmate at the bus makes you think about the different places people come from yet manage to go to a similar direction.

bubbles

However, you just have to make the best out of your scheduled trips. There are times when some happy accident or surprises come along your way, like meeting an old friend, and making a new one. And you'll end up happy you took the time to travel that far.

These photos were taken en route to Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and in Bayawan. :)

high school friends. ♥

paunay

boulevard, but not of broken dreams.

mingaaaaay

*photos taken with Kodak Ultramax 400 (expired) in Minolta Maxxum 3*

Internship Travels

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an orchid somewhere in Olanggo

en route.

splashing away.

demure catty.

Being a Mass Communication student is never an easy job, trust me. We have to go through three different internships just to get that diploma. I spent my summer (of this year), not on the beach, but running from one office to another to gather and write news for next day's paper. I was due for my print internship. 

I was assigned to the news, even if I applied for the soft pages, which isn't really a big deal. I just found that news really is difficult. My forte in writing has always been feature. But one of the perks with being a news writer, especially in my beat, is you get to go to different places and meet wonderful and fun people who seem so serious on TV or on-air. I was able to go to Olanggo, attend a number of fun events, and just be submerged with the field life of a journalist.

take a dip.

at the bird sanctuary.

Olanggo bird sanctuary.

Allan T., my photographer.

Mandaue City.

Walking Alcoy

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Your feet can take you anywhere. Yes, that's true. Have you ever experienced just wanting to go out and just letting your feet take you anywhere because you're bored to death with staying at home? Oh, yes. I've had those times. And I ended up in a tea shop sipping my milk tea or at someone's house watching movies. But, I'm talking about being out and about in a new place.

After taking a dip at Tingko, we decided to head on to the Alcoy proper and walk around the town. It's just something about walking and discovering new places that entices me..

Reading signs is really a good way to find new places to go to. What sparked my interest in Alcoy were signs that had 'heritage' on them. I I like everything old, like cameras, bags, teacups, clothes, buildings, etc. This was why I was drawn to them.

What I did notice is that the residents in Alcoy don't even know where the heritage well or cave really is. Those we've asked weren't able to tell us where those places are (except for the cave).

1890

a century-old convent.

heritage cave.

the traveler.

line of trees.

vintage.

alcoy church.

I'm itching to go out again. Been locked up with my academic and work duties. I wish I can just walk and get lost in my thoughts or with the view.

*photos taken with Minolta Maxxum 3 with Lucky Super 200 (fresh)*

First Double Exposure

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Since I started film, I've already wanted to have a double exposure. I'm just a bit disappointed with the cameras that I have since they don't allow me to go a frame back, unlike other cameras like Sprocket Rocket. This makes shooting double exposures and even multiple exposures really easy.

Since I have toy cameras which wind up manually, I decided to do a bit of experiment. I used my CDR-King 35mm film camera for the deed. After finishing the entire roll of film, I started to rewind it. I randomly stopped somewhere and began to shoot again. Then, I went ahead to finish rewinding the film.

My first attempt was just 'okay' for me. I actually wanted better photos. But this is to be expected since one is advised to shoot two contrasting images. One darker and one lighter. There are other photographers who just shoot normally, especially those who use color negatives. There are also some who underexpose the first image by 1.5 stops and the next by 0.5 stop. This really depends on the effect that you want. 

Since I can't properly expose with my toy camera, I'm happy with what I've got. I'll try to do little experiments soon with another toy camera. I hope all goes out well. 

Lesson Learned through the Sunny Juice Box Camera

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I was sooo happy to finally have a new baby on my list, a cute Sunny Juice Box Camera. The boyfriend gave it to me as a present a few days ago, sadly, I dropped it accidentally two days after. I got really depressed that day and went out and binged on KFC's french fries. I thought my new camera's a gonner.

the accident left a mark. :(

I decided that the best thing to do to test if the camera is still working is to shoot the entire roll and have it processed. I was really nervous. A part of me expects to see an empty roll, but I still wanted to be hopeful. It would really break my heart if the camera ends up broken.

At 4pm that day, I had the roll processed. I had to know that same day whether my new baby needed some fixing. I hoped for the worse. Thank heavens, it was okay. It was probably the worst roll I've ever had. Even my first roll was better and I've been shooting film for a couple of months already. Anyway, it was a breath of fresh air. I was more than relieved to see actual images on my roll, even if there were only three good ones.

The rest were either underexposed or covered by the broken flap of the lens, which I'll be discussing in a camera review soon. :)

The following photos where taken with an expired Fujifilm 200.

flap covers most of the photo :(

Mental note to self: Always use an ISO 400 roll with the juice box.

P.S. Always be careful with the camera. It's way too fragile.

Why I Shoot Film?

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Since I started shooting film, I’ve been having a problem explaining to people why I like it better compared to digital photography. Most of them think I’m crazy for going backwards. It’s really difficult to explain to some people why I see magic with film and why I’m letting go of shooting digital (not entirely though).

Using film forces me to be a disciplined photographer. You really have to take your time and compensate your shots properly or else it will look awful. You also have to be sure of your framing. If not, this will just waste your shots. You have to keep in mind that certain “moments” just happen once and you’re either getting it or not. You also have to properly budget your shots since you only have 36 shots in a roll or 24, depending on your film.

UP Cebu Oblation (taken with CDR-King 35mm x expired Kodak Ultra 100)

Cathedral on Film (Minolta Maxxum 3 x Lucky Super 200)

Bubble Tea (Minolta Maxxum 3 x expired Centuria DNP 400)

There’s also a level of excitement with having your rolls processed. It’s never like digital where you can see the photo right away. Having to wait to see your finished shoots is an interesting factor with shooting film. I get all jittery when that guy behind the counter develops my roll and scans it.

To be honest, I’m too lazy to edit my shots. With film, I can already get instant photo effects that I like such as grains, vignette, chrome, or red scale photos depending on the film and camera I’m using. I’m in love with grainy photos and film lets me get the effect without spending time on Photoshop.

I have to admit though that I sometimes get frustrated with film. You can’t really reshoot everything and you’ve got to be really sure with your shots. The limited shots in every roll  also stops you from being trigger-happy. Sometimes, you have to wait until you finish the entire roll before you can get that one photo that you need.  

Waiting for the Smile (taken with Canon 500D)

Realities (taken with Kodak point and shoot)

Nevertheless, using film is a sort of redemption for my love of photography. There came a time when I was too lazy to shoot. When I started this affair with film, I got hooked. After every film and camera that I purchased, I’ve been wanting more and more. It’s like an addiction. But, I’ve never been this fulfilled in all-consuming addiction. And, I’m happy.