open up your heart and let the context in

Context.

It is in context where photos of sunsets and sunrises are considered passé. Too many of them, oft overused especially in tourism.

We still see them.

It is in context too, that I fear they will be most treasured in the future, like the photos in your previous post.

Let us see.

Jordan
072311

*Bataan sunset during one of Adarna House's office outings.

Ephemeral views/ephemeral blues

We live in a city that is teeming with people and the things we create and use -- the concrete and metal structures, cars, advertisements, artificial lights, smoke, and noise -- the pollution and over-stimulation that defines life in urban areas. Once in a while, though, I'm amazed by how parts of this city can be so quietly beautiful, with trees, earth, and sky filling the landscape. However, due to over-development and bad urban planning, places like this are hard to come by.

Through photography, I try to capture and document some of this beauty -- while it lasts. A sadness fills me as I think of reported plans to "develop" these areas, thus introducing more structures, cars, and pollution and destroying the little bit of nature that still exists. Looking ahead, I can't help but wonder what these landscapes will look like 10-20 years from now.

Remarkably, the words from Joni's song still ring true: Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.

Jo
072011

*Scenes in Quezon City

city lights

I long to take a shot of Metro Manila at night on top of Antipolo. The city lights are like star constellations down here on earth.

These stars on earth, though, are the reason why we can't see the stars above, the same way Jack did in the movie Titanic (like a prepubescent teenager's face pockmarked with pimples!)

Light pollution is what they call it, right?

Jordan
070411

*Me feeding the boys during Earth hour, 2011

Lightseekers

Indeed, it was a dilemma, but I believe we made the right choice of going separately and each attending this very special event in our friends' lives.

After hours in traffic and luckily making it just in time to Tagaytay, I was struck by the lovely, relaxed atmosphere at Kat and Erman's wedding. Such beautiful light graced the wedding of these two former Collegian photographers -- soft afternoon light, the golden light of sunset, and later, a constellation of lanterns illuminating the night sky.

For lightseekers, as those who profess a love for photography must be, nothing could be more fitting.

Jo
070311