The face

The cat? He's just here. Waiting for you to come home.



Now how about this one? Can you find an unexpected face in this reflection of the floor of a jeepney? Several people have. Sometimes, I can't predict what people will find even in my own images. Every so often, their reactions and interpretations surprise me, and I learn something new about other people's ways of seeing.

Jo
043012

*While riding a Katipunan jeepney

the catch

That post of yours reminds me of those Where's Waldo? books, or that I Spy series.

My turn. So where's the cat?

Jordan
042012

*A cat at the UP Diliman Arcade area

A photographer's shoe

As the temperatures heat up all over the world, shouldn't we appreciate -- more than ever -- that increasingly rare, cool shade provided by trees? I once chanced upon a photographer, shown with his red shoe peeking out, who climbed this tree to get a better shot. I wonder what ran through his mind while standing against the trunk of this majestic acacia. Did he take this canopy of leaves and tree limbs for granted or did he consider how fortunate he and the rest of us are that trees like this exist?

Jo
042912

shelter

True. Give me a cool breeze and shade under a tree with that pakwan and I'll be good.

So we can give the meralco electricity meters a break from racing each other due to electric fan and air conditioner usage.

Jordan
042812

*Meralco electricity meters far away, yet so close from one of the neighborhood tree's shade.

Respite from the heat

I tend to think the summer heat brings out the worst in humanity: intolerance, violence, suffering, demolitions, and environmental crimes, to name a few.

Every so often, though, let's look for some moments of respite, scenes in everyday life to cool down our weary senses. Forget about Magnum ice cream. These cold slices of watermelon are cheaper, healthier, and more visually appealing.

Jo
042712

*A watermelon vendor in Quiapo, Manila.

summer time

And with that, summer time is here. That time of unnecessary fire accidents as well as unnecessary trips to the mall.

Jordan
042312

*Smoke from a fire along Agham road last April 20, seen behind Trinoma's signage along North Avenue. The dark blemish on the top right is from a blood stain still on the lens after all this time :)

On the sidelines

Like you, I decided to take a different approach to documenting Good Friday this year. I decided that I'd rather my images were in black & white and shades of grey than the blood red, which -- admittedly -- made me slightly nauseous. I also tried to focus more on the sidelines, on the nuances, and on the smaller stories, sometimes finding symbols and meanings that I had not expected. There was also a mood within the crowd that I tried to translate through this sequence of images.

Even if this story has been told year after year in various ways, by photographers much better than me; even if this story has become almost ordinary or clichéd to some, I still feel it is worth an attempt, another consideration. In the process, I find myself trying to make sense of what I see and perhaps confront my feelings about culture and society. And through such attempts, I get to realize how lucky I am to grapple with the language that is photography, which adds another layer of complexity to how I experience and express life's stories.

Jo
042112

send in the crowd

I think there would be no shortage of those two (flagellants and photographers) in events such as that.

Hey, it was my second time to document it, too. And I believe I already got the shots I wanted from last year. So what I did was turn back from the event, and take pictures of the crowd.

I hope they don't mind the limelight.

Jordan
040812

*Family watching the Senakulo at Baranggay Lourdes, Angeles City

Of flagellants and photographers

It's that time of year again, when the slightly pungent smell of blood spatter fills the air.

This Friday will be my second time to document the traditional observance of Holy Week in Pampanga. I wonder who will be greater in number during the procession and Senakulo: the flagellants and devotees or the photographers and tourists with their cameras.

I wonder, too, about what such traditions say about our society -- our enduring belief systems, motivations, contradictions, and extremes.

Jo
040312

*In Barangay Lourdes, Angeles City during the religious holiday of Good Friday, 2011.

the fear of translation

One teaching I remember the most in my years of Catholic schooling was this:

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

Looking back at that line from Psalm 111:10 though, you'd think good 'ol David there was painting God like he was Batman. Until you realize that line was just a mistranslation (Oh go look it up yourselves).

Then you realize that mistranslation might be intentional, as fear is much better to use in controlling your congregation than love.

Then you'd realize again that, indeed, God is being presented like Batman.

Jordan

033112

*At Angeles City, with a Jesus mask-wearing flagellant. 

Facing our fears

Your story reminds me of how people can actually face their fears and not run away from them.

I think about how women and girls are facing very real fears and various modes of violence against them everyday: the threat of sexual harassment and sexual, physical, and psychological abuse; the insecurities brought about by contractualization, unemployment, and underemployment; the high cost of basic goods and services, healthcare, and education; the discrimination at the workplace and under the law; the objectification and pervasive gender stereotyping in the mass media and elsewhere; and the never-ending demolitions of poor communities, militarization, and forced displacement.

Throughout history and into present times, women have fought these and many other injustices -- not alone but with allied men by their side. Fighting these injustices does not, of course, become an excuse to stereotype all men and all "others" as oppressors (as if there are no women who also oppress other women and men). Instead, facing these fears should mean bravely and consciously resisting injustices of all kinds.

Jo
032512

*Photos taken at the March 8, 2012 International Women's Day rally in Manila and at the March 15, 2012 protest in front of the urban poor community of North Triangle, Quezon City during a nationwide-coordinated mass action against a series of oil price hikes, the reported overpricing of petroleum products, and the deregulation of the oil industry.

night runs

When I was a kid, my family stayed in a house that had a gravel walkway separating it from the nearest place of civilization: the neighborhood billiard hall. This area in the morning was just a transition, a distance you had to trudge from point A (the billiard hall) to point B (our house). Nothing to it, the sun had my back.

At night though, this area was darkness, of the unknown, of childhood fears separating me from point A to point B. I would always run to get to either point, with my imagination running behind me with images of aswangs and witches. Suffice to say, I always had to face my fears whenever I went out at night.

And in facing my fears, I mean running as fast as I could.

Jordan
030312

*Girl with Halloween devil horns in Quezon City

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
022812

*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
022712

*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
022412

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