Into the night

I love shooting at night.

It's not always spooky, like in your photograph. Sometimes, I find night stories that are full of life -- where light (as sparse as it may be) illuminates, reveals conditions and commonalities, and shines from within the faces that I encounter. The night helps cloak my presence, and I just go with the flow, not thinking or planning, but allowing intuition to take over.

As you've reminded me before, the photo editor in me should be more deliberate about what shots I need to take and consider a shot list. Yet, there are instances when I don't think about lists or other specifics. I immerse myself in the moment and approach photography in as uncomplicated a way as I can. There are certainly different ways to create images -- what works for some may not work for others -- and I'm still too new at this to have a definitive approach. Nevertheless, there's much to be said about intuition and allowing one's natural curiosity and emotional response lead the way. At least, sometimes.

Jo
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*Photos taken in the Aeta community of Manabayukan, Capas, Tarlac. At night, the residents typically use candles, except for a few lights strung along the street and attached to small generators. With no TV or internet available, children continue to play outside under these lights. Parents and elders also come out to observe the children and gather later on for a bonfire and other social activities. From January 28-29, 2012, a cultural regeneration was held in this community and was attended by Aeta children from this area and other villages.

wearing different hats

Sometimes when I take photos, I compose my shot with an extra space here and there, the graphic designer in me setting it up for some title, a body of text, or an author's byline to be added later. But there is also the editor in me, telling the photographer in me to get all the angles and shots possible: wide shot, mid shot, middle close up, close up, and the extreme close up. I want as many choices possible. And a safety here and there, too.

Taking this shot, I thought I had it all covered. When I saw your two shots though, I knew you had the best shot of all when, upon taking a picture of a stoic angel, you managed to put some humanity in it.

I get dibs on the spooky shot though.

Jordan
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*Angel statue on one of those streets behind SM North

By your side

We were driving down our usual route when you convinced me to stop by this spot. We each took out our cameras and came up with our own interpretation of this scene -- an angel statue outside a Quezon City shop. You went near the statue while I stayed across the street to capture the tricycle passing by. I suppose it's my street photographer side coming out, while your appreciation for details and graphic design required a closer look. Naturally, we have a different approach to photography, a different style and way of seeing things. Even if we disagree at times, we still maintain a respect for each other's views and work. We share what inspires us and whatever new things we learn.

And just like you are with me, wherever we may be, I'll stay by your side as your look-out and partner while you take that photograph.

Jo
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everyday-with-you day

And a happy everyday-with-you day, dear.

Does that make sense?

So says the person who sits in the passenger seat when you drive in the highways of life. Also when you park in the parking lots of life.

Jordan
022012

*SM Parking lot spiral exit thingee

The moment

Regardless of the quality of light and shadows, regardless of graphic design, composition, etc. -- there's something about human emotions expressed within a moment which I never tire of capturing. Call it sentimentality, being old-fashioned, or perhaps my simple understanding of what still matters. As challenging as love can sometimes be, to see it shining in a person's eyes and smile -- for even a second or two -- is enough to bring a smile to my face.

Happy V-day, dear.

Jo
021412

shoot the shadows

There is a chicken/egg kind of question to what you said there. Are you shooting the ones illuminated by light, or the ones hidden by shadows?

There are times when shadows reveal things, too. And in those instances, this quote from Luis Carlo Baretto comes to mind:

"Forget about the light and try to photograph the shadow.”

Jordan
021312

*MRT-Ayala Station

Light and discovery

For sure, I need more pins, Jordan. And a thicker skin.



Despite any bubbles bursting, if there's one thing that keeps me fascinated with photography, it's my love for light and discovery. Like this unplanned still of achuete in pottery, which I photographed at my uncle's house in 2010. Here, I happened to notice an intense, isolated shaft of light falling onto this scene. By experimenting with the camera settings, I tried to make the most of how the light brought out the colors and textures of the achuete flowers and the clay pot. And I had to be quick, as that late afternoon light was fleeting and gone within minutes.

This was a revelation for me, as I realized that in photography, moments have to be seized, images created, and opportunities recognized. Usually all at once. As the creative process has become a mode of discovery -- not only about what is around me, but also about myself -- I've come to appreciate and look deeper into photography as visual storytelling. And for every story told, I still look forward to that special light and discovery.

Jo
021212

analogies

Ah, bubbles. In the same way we love making them, we love bursting them, too. Sometimes, a bubble would burst on its own even. Regardless of the circumstances, always empower yourself with pins.

Jordan
020812

*Pincushion with various pins

Inside and outside the bubble

I love the photos of lanterns and balloons in your last post. I’m reminded of this photo that I took in early 2010, during our first time to visit and photograph the Chinese New Year celebrations in Binondo. In retrospect, I consider this as my first time to do “street photography” -- even though I had never heard of street photography, let alone contemplated what it is or isn’t, or was told of its so-called rules. I was just going on instinct, capturing what looked visually interesting to me, and shooting with an almost childlike curiosity, without any preconceived notions. I really was quite naive about what I was doing. I only knew that I liked taking photographs.

This was the period of time when I was learning the manual settings of our new Canon G11 compact camera. The G11’s features allowed me to experiment with photography and go beyond mere snapshots -- to actually think a bit more about how I was taking pictures. Of course, I had taken snapshots for many years using other cameras, mostly automatic film cameras, and had the chance to use a darkroom a few times in high school. Although I valued my photos as souvenirs of places I had been to and people I had met, I didn’t take my photography seriously, especially as I found it too expensive a hobby to ever maintain. I had taken some good photos off and on during those years, but they were just that -- personal momentos that I would rarely share with other people.

As I told someone recently, for most of my life, photography was something so far away from my consciousness, that it still surprises me that I’m actually now taking pictures and being considered (by some folks) as a “photographer”. Over the last 2 years, I’ve come to realize that the moments when I take pictures, when I create images, have become very real and important to me -- much more so than the other aspects of the photography world, which I slowly (and at times, reluctantly) get to know.

I’ve come to appreciate that it is both a privilege and a responsibility to be a photographer, to tell stories, and bear witness to life as it unfolds, even small moments such as in this image. Although most of the time, the only reward I get is the enjoyment of creating images, I hope to continue growing as a photographer and perhaps even make others think and feel a little with the images that I make.

Jo
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of balloons, kittehs, and chinese lanterns

What struck me while visiting Chinatown during the eve of the Chinese New Year was how the traditional Chinese lanterns weren't that prominent. Rather, it was the balloons of suspiciously-not-properly-licensed-to-use characters being sold in the streets.




They were like floating entities above the throng of humanity.




But I did get my Chinese lantern fix that night. I found it along this street while getting down the Carriedo LRT station. This street, with its simple rows of Chinese lanterns, was to me, the Chinese New Year version of a solemn Christmas.




And going to Chinatown, you'd get the commercialized one.

Jordan
020112

Of dragons, lions, temples, and streets

Instead of elephants in the room, let's get back to the dragons and other mythical (and ordinary beings) that abounded during the recent Chinese New Year celebrations in Manila.

From the streets to the temples, it was challenging to see and capture the order within the chaos. Amidst the crowds participating in the festivities and rituals, there were also scenes that revealed the complexities, divisions, and contradictions in our society. Families with little means mingled next to the privileged; barefoot children danced with their homemade, papermache lion to the beat of a tin can drum, mimicking the more lavish lion dancers. While several people fell victim to criminal syndicates and petty thieves, others showed a generosity of spirit and shared food and money for the occasion. And in a few rare performances, children and adults played traditional Chinese instruments to crowds more attuned to the louder, garish music of the modern era.

Perhaps these photos lack the fireworks of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Still, here's a glimpse of what I saw while roaming the streets.

Jo
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apropos

I'm glad you brought that up, dear. It is one elephant in the room that photographers should acknowledge.

Jordan
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*Greenbelt shops closed for the day with one having an elephant in the window display

My mind's view

While traveling from Manila to Quezon City over the course of an afternoon, I pass by familiar sights. Once in a while, though, I notice something unexpected and feel the urge to take a photograph. For various reasons, I derive meanings from such shots, whether they be street photography, abstract, personal commentary, or otherwise.

As these photos are not long-term explorations on a subject-- not the photographic equivalent of essays, research papers or investigative reports -- does that render them mindless and simply to be dismissed? Does the fact that I create such images necessarily mean that I cannot, if I so choose, also "write" in-depth reports through my other photography projects?

Certainly, I don't think so. I've known lawyers who draft well-researched, compelling briefs, as well as compose verses on love and loss. I've known tough journalists who also write children's stories and other forms of fiction, prose, or poetry. There are civil servants who issue straight-forward reports, and yet reveal such depth and lyricism in their literary pursuits.

Visual language is still one that I am learning and exploring. Just as haiku poems and journalistic pieces can be written with the same hand and pen, I likewise choose to use my camera in various ways -- revealing and interpreting what I encounter, what my eyes see, and what my heart feels.

Jo
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*Some photos taken on one December afternoon.

figurehead

In my experience as an observant Catholic, the idea that God is everywhere is not enough for most of the congregation. They need something to grasp onto. An event, an icon, an outlet, if you may. Like that Feast of the Black Nazarene thingee. The more hardcore, the more fulfilling for some.

Me? I find God in the most unexpected places, both literally and figuratively.

Oh, and Jesus too.

Jordan
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*Head statue and sticker of Jesus on a tricycle in Pasig.

Glimpses of Nazareno 2012

Into the streets of Manila, millions of devotees (and many photographers) descended, endured, and surely pondered about this experience. It was a challenge to be alone in such a crowd, but here are some glimpses and impressions of what I saw.

My audio slideshow of Nazareno 2012


Jo
011412

exile on mall street

The street used to be a family's outside house extension. Living room, dining room, guest room, playground, and comfort room all rolled into one. Lately though, it's the malls becoming everyone's new house extension: dining area, living room, guest room, study room, playground, church, hospital, sari-sari store, and palengke all rolled into one with a pinch of escapism and consumerism.

During the Spanish period, towns were made surrounding the seats of government and worship: The town hall and the Church. Today though, you'd see condominiums and townhouses made around malls, some even physically connected to them.

I decide not to think about what the next evolution of place would be after that, though. For a guy who works at home, I think I have my hands full enough already.

Jordan
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*Kid whirling around in front of Landmark in Trinoma

Children in Binondo

Yeah, kids learn early about certain realities. There's no avoiding it, especially for kids in the streets.

Jo
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hey kid...

look into my eyes, into my eyes, not around the eyes, into my eyes... and you're under...

*snap*

You're still young, and the world has more than 7 billion people, and counting! There is pollution, famine, war, politics, you name it. But guess what, everything will be fine. Remember that when anything bad happens in your life, just use that googly woogly eyes you're doing to me right now and everything... will be... just... fine... 3,2,1, and your back in the world.

*snap*

Jordan
010411

*googly woogly eyed kid at a Marikina-Cubao jeep

Don't throw in the towel

Well, just don't throw in the towel, no matter the challenges (end-of-the-world scenarios, climate change, socio-economic and environmental crises, or otherwise) that lie ahead in 2012. Like these children in Baguio, let's maintain our curiosity about what's around us and embrace life with a sense of fun and spirit. That, perhaps more than anything, is what inspires me to keep shooting in the streets.

Jo
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towel

And if we want to survive it (2012 end of the world and all, yadda-yadda), we better not forget this.

Jordan
010212

*My towel, for the most obvious reasons.