Sample 149 - Shooting Stars

Here's a composite, stitched from 8 exposures, 4x2 @ 18mm.
Each exposure was constant at 30 Seconds, f/4, ISO 4000. Landscape orientation.
The sun rose pretty early, at around 4:30-5:00am. Post-processing includes Levels and Saturation. 

So here's why I was not able to post over the weekend (come to think about it, I should probably keep the weekends free); A great group of friends of mine spent Friday night and Saturday morning over at Bauang, La Union. It's no Boracay, but I can tell you that the light conditions here were okay enough for me to do something I've always wanted to try: Astrophotography with my X-E2.

I have to admit that the light and weather conditions were not optimal, and I could only do so much with the lens I had (the 'kit' 18-55 f2.8 - f4), but I still had loads of fun playing with settings, making adjustments, finding the best numbers to set, and burning through my 3 batteries. At one point I thought I found the Milky Way, but all I saw were dots... Heck, that was good enough for me!

This was my very first shot. 18mm, 30 Seconds, ISO 800, f/2.8.
Later in the evening I found out that 30 Seconds was too slow; the stars begin to trail at that shutter speed. 

Second shot. I'm told that's the Thunderbird Resort in the distance.
I've always loved taking car light trails, but plane light trails? 

Third Shot. The 'starscape'(?) facing the mountains seemed to be more detailed throughout the evening into the early morning... Why was that, considering that there would be more 'light pollution' from there?  

Here's the Fourth Shot, completing the first shoot session of the night. Haze, generating rays of light, helped this shot. 

I was shooting at around 9-10pm that night, and fog and clouds began to show up. Turns out, that was good timing, because dinner was ready by around that time. Fellowship ensued.

We didn't take note of the time, and I was getting sleepy. I remember taking the camera out to shoot once more, just to stay awake.

The clouds were a nice touch after all. 

There were only 7 of us, and there happened to be 7 tents available. It was a blessing to have a whole tent to myself. And again, look; the lights were so much stronger here, but how in the world did the stars pop out here more compared to when the camera was facing the open sea? 

I eventually slept, setting my alarm to 4:30am. I scrambled out of the tent to shoot at around 4:35am.

The clouds and fog were gone by this time. 4 out of the 7 men were still knocked out at this point. The 2 other brothers who were still awake went away to check out a fishing boat coming back to the shore. Later, I heard they caught a shark. 

Hello, Orion. The stuff you learn from Men In Black.
Far as I remember Betelgeuse is Orion's head, and those are the Pleiades near his belt. 

The sun eventually showed its light to a point signalling the end of this shoot, at 5:15am. 

After this wonderful night, I've learned:

• That the X-E2 could be pushed to ISO 6400 to produce shots that would still be acceptable to me. 
• 30 Seconds is too long, if you want to avoid trailing. 20-25 seconds would be good. 
• Aperture could change the whole shot dramatically even with a one-stop adjustment. 
• The X-E2's built in level is a great help. dpreview may say it isn't always reliable, but I'd definitely use it to help when my tripod need to stand on sand. 

There may be more, but I'm definitely looking forward to the next opportunity to shoot the stars.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Sample 143 - Pervasive Hope

JPEG HDR, cropped. 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time 

are not worth comparing 

with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

- Romans 8:18

Sample 140 - From The Front Of The Trancoville Jeep

A curious looking man waiting for a ride in Tiong San Magsaysay 

Rajah Suleiman Street

Slaughterhouse Compound

Pacdal-Navy Base Paradahan 

Foreign Student waiting in front of Baguio Center Mall

A view of the buildings along T.Alonzo Street 

Etag for Sale

Romans 8:38-39 English Standard Version (ESV)

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God bless you. 

Sample 138 - [Dramatis Personæ] Focused

This is Pastor Ronnie. I first met him more than 6 years ago during the church's overnight prayer meetings. I was long haired and looking all peculiar, with a concern which can easily be dismissed as shallow for most but definitely deep for me. But this man didn't care. He prayed for me. 

Fast forward to 6 years later, and though the Lord has done so many things in, with, and through me, I still thank God that Pastor Ronnie is still around to give advice, to listen and respond, to be patient with my many shortcomings. One thing about him is that he refuses to relinquish what peace he has even in times of great trial and trouble. In fact, he may be in all sorts of binds but you will never see his countenance troubled, and that in my book is sheer strength.

This man is a visionary - He has plans, and he is definitely able to get people on his side to accomplish what the Lord has put in his mind. Yes, even people as historically cynical as I am draw near to Pastor Ronnie simply because though he may have all the reasons to claim acclaim, he is still so humble and approachable. 

The man recently got a new cellphone, and then a new car. He has gotten promotions and recognition, and I believe that the Lord has so much more in store for him. Thank God for his life. 

Soli Deo Gloria. 

Sample 133 - [Dramatis Personæ] Action Men

That's Randy holding a bowl of Pinikpikan (Smoked Chicken boiled with Salted Pork Belly), and that's Allan with a chicken foot. Yes, he uses a fork for a bracelet. 

Allan transferring freshly cooked rice from a cooking pot to a proper container for portioning. On this night, he and a team of hardy Church folk cooked 390 portions of fried chicken, pancit and rice for an event the next day.

If you need something good cooked for a whole bunch of people as soon as possible and even in the smallest budget, you can count on Allan and Randy. In fact, these two are not only good in efficient and effective cooking, but you can count on them to spring to action as soon as a need is realized - if a roof leaks or if a flagpole pulley needs to be installed (while the flagpole is standing, mind you), they will do something to address it.

These two inspire me to respond more and to react less. When it comes to an obstacle, I am led to act more than to complain just because of the wisdom these two unconsciously share - that action definitely makes you part of the solution more than being part of the problem. I sincerely believe that the confidence these two have to act at once comes from experience, and God's grace with them through all that they have been through in the past. 

There is no doubt that the humility and selflessness of these men will have an impact on their children. God bless them. 

Soli Deo Gloria. 

Sample 132 - Convalescence

The bedside scene. Liquids, snacks, and supplements ready to be consumed at any time while I lay, my body still trying to make sense of everything that was going on. 

Soup's up. During the whole time I was served Arroz Caldo overloaded with turmeric (but great with fish sauce and lemon juice), and Cream of Mushroom packet soup overloaded with celery, carrots, garlic, and onions. I am blessed with a good household. 

Steam. If you take baths while you recover from a sickness, cranking up the heat and sucking in that steam does all sorts of wonders. Times like this I miss hot running water. And showers. Yes, that's a shower head you see - it works, but water pressure in our part of the Philippines isn't exactly as strong as we'd like.

This was part of a set of identical pictures taken while I was playing with the X-E2's Burst Mode. Guess who was bored.

"O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me." 

Psalm 30:2

It never fails. You strain, and you get sick. You push yourself too far and your body goes over the edge. You wake up and  decide to work out all of a sudden, and end the day with a little more beer in your system all of a sudden, and it's almost guaranteed that you're going to have a bad day the next day.

...and boy, that bad day easily became a bad week. I had muscle pains, my head was in all sorts of pain, topped off with a case of hard coughing and a runny nose. I lacked decent sleep on that first night because I was up either taking a piss, or taking a drink of water to just purge everything out of my system. 

On any normal day one can easily think that these times are some of the least productive times of our lives. And this is one thing that 30-somethings (like me) would look down upon. 

But I am thankful because I believe that even during these times, the Lord has been faithful to minister to me in more ways than one. I may have thought I wasted my time, but I believe the Lord made the best of everything that transpired. 

That's what I got going on. It has to be the prevalent thought especially during this crazy month of September. 

Soli Deo Gloria.

Sample 131 - Luis' Last Night

Mansion 'Lake'

Test Shot

The Knowledge of Good and Evil

First things first - the Mextures formula for this series of shots is 'Kalmaegi' (International name for Tropical Depression Luis). Code is RPKZCDM. Simple Landscape Enhance, more stress on Exposure and Contrast, I just had to go with Cross-Process type simulation for this one. 

The rain was hard but the mist and the fog was absolutely wonderful on the way home last night. I just had to whip out the camera and use it with yet another expensive photographic accessory - my beloved car. Thank God for this camera. Thank God for this car. 

Soli Deo Gloria.

Sample 130 - [Dramatis Personæ] Man vs. Masala

This could have been cropped. But I guess it's okay.

I don't necessarily have the 'inspiration' it takes to write up an elaborate good word about this man right now. Just being honest. What I'm really doing is writing to just add some words to this photo. Donn would understand. This guy is the guy I asked to be the best man in my wedding with Pao. I will say that he was instrumental, no, vital in pushing someone like me to go for such an awesome lady... And I have been so blessed with her ever since.

God has and is using this man in an mighty way. I believe and declare that there are greater things to come in store for him and his wonderful family.

Thank God for Donn.

Soli Deo Gloria.

**This was taken in Ali's House of Shawarma. Ali ensures that genuine Pakistani food is made available to the hungry people of Baguio. I'm thinking, it'd be nice to take and post a shot of him too one day. 

Sample 129 - [Dramatis Personæ] 'Rich Man'

Good Portraits continue to come by God's grace. 

The good Pastor in his element. With people. 

Jonas is a good Nigerian brother of ours who joins us every Saturday morning during our Men's Fellowship. During our last meeting, he mentioned that there are friends of his that see Pastor Oscar around, and though they do not know him by name, they call him... 'The Rich Man.'

I may not have access to this great man's accounting records, but I do know that he is rich - rich with wonderful people proud to call him a friend, a father, a brother, an uncle.. I will never forget his lesson in leadership - "There are three R's of leadership: RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS, and RELATIONSHIPS." 

I was privileged to accompany Pastor Oscar to visit our growing church in Tarlac. I believe that he could have gone there on his own, and he could have done everything I've seen him do without me, probably even more. It was impressed upon me that he can stand alone - yet he chooses to have us stand with him. Here I see another facet, another perspective of the love of our Heavenly Father - the Creator of the Universe, Creator of Time and Space, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God of Israel... God, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, were in union, yet chose to create us for His pleasure... and though we fell, He chose still to love us, giving everything up so we could be with Him again. 

Thank God for Pastor Oscar. Thank God for everyone we know, for surely in each and every one is a grand opportunity to behold our Father's unfailing love in an entirely unique yet equally perfect way. 

That being said, I am so glad that the fine folks at Fuji have their sensor definitely primed for skin tones, and portraits. I used to think landscapes were the only way to go to show the world God's greatness; now I'm thinking it's a good way, but not the only way. We are all created in His image, to show His glory in a unique way that only we could exude personally. Matt Redman sings of 10,000 Reasons to praise the Lord. I believe that this world has 6 Billion Reasons for us to behold and sing in awe of His greatness. Christian photographer, every portrait you take is a frame containing a man or woman in the image of our loving Father. Though it be the President of the United States, or an ISIS militant fresh from a beheading - that person was created with the original intention of being a beloved son or daughter of God through the finished work of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

And I suppose that though we may run out of landscapes to take, we will always have the chance to capture His glory through the face of human being. Heck, when nobody else is around, I suppose a selfie would do. 

I'm babbling. But thanks for making it this far. Thank God for you.

Soli Deo Gloria. 

Sample 128 - Distress

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Sample 127 - Hesed

Psalms 32:10

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

Sample 126 - La Maja Rica, ISO 6400

If you find yourself looking for a good place to stay when in Tarlac City, consider La Maja Rica. Though the Wi-fi isn't necessarily responsive, the staff, amenities, and price are very good. These shots were taken to pass the time... though not much time was passed this way, considering these were all handheld shots. 

Lord, thank You for this camera. Thank you for the many opportunities to shoot and share. Continue to take all the glory, for You alone deserve it. In the name of Jesus, amen. 

Soli Deo Gloria. 

Sample 125 - All About The Youth

Thank God for this camera. It may have its quirks and I do understand how some of us in the Interwebs can get so frustrated over its performance compared to the DSLRs still currently preferred by the general public. But hey, it hasn't disappointed.. and even if I may miss some shots or if it doesn't focus/expose the way I would have wanted it to at times, I'm still very happy with it. Again, thank God for this camera.

Things won't work the way we want them too more times than we would ever expect, but one beautiful thing about Christ and His finished work is that it guarantees a bright future for us, regardless of what comes up from our past, or what we see in the present, or what we try to speculate regarding our future. Our God is a God beyond time and space, and Christ is surely our Savior - past, present, and future. 

Soli Deo Gloria. Because of what Christ has done, we have seen these kids establish and strengthen relationships, and though we as administrators are physically tired, we never felt an ounce of stress when we looked over the kids as they played. 

Sample 124 - Remembering Mr. Caleb

Ogilby at ISO 6400

This ISO Range continues to amaze me...

...but it still has its faults. Or I still have them. 

My Mom and my extended family for the first 18 years of my life. I love them so much. 

More of my extended family at the Dining Hall. 

Mr. Caleb was one of the Headmasters in Brent Baguio. During the memorial service Mrs. Daoey was happy to tell us so much about his many contributions to the school. Apparently he was monumental in bringing back the image of Brent Baguio even after varying issues almost closed the school down. He was also responsible for opening Brent Manila (!). 

On a personal note, Mr. Caleb was the Headmaster when our family moved to Brent Baguio. He left when I was 6, and I honestly didn't have any memories of him besides getting scared of him... That's probably because people telling me he was the Headmaster intimidated me, even at my age when I wasn't supposed to care about those things. He may have stooped down to talk to me once or twice or even more, but I regret to say that I couldn't remember anything special. 

He may be gone, but what Mrs. Daoey shared about him got to me. She quoted him as saying the following: 'Do your best; and when better times come, we shall all reap the benefits.'

Amen to that. In Christ, we are definitely at our best - and eventually, by God's unfailing grace, the better times shall come, even when our eyes see otherwise. 

Thank God for Mr. Caleb. Soli Deo Gloria. 

Sample 123 - Cones in Mono

These shots were taken with 'Rose And Driftwood' by Ansel Adams in mind. I used B/W Yellow Film Simulation.

"...it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death."

Philippians 1:20