Get On The Bus

These shots were taken from the window seats of the buses I've been riding to and from Manila. You don't have to have all your equipment, you don't have to be anywhere special to be led to take pleasant pictures.

Every second is an opportunity to marvel at the glory of God as seen through His creation. Every moment is an opportunity to give God the praise for His grace and longsuffering as seen in what we do with His creation.

Every second is a gift. Every second we have is an opportunity to share the Gospel.

...and I believe through blogging we have greater opportunities to make every second count. Through this medium we are able to reach a significantly greater number of people in lesser time.

I thank God for His grace which endured through the times I abused the Internet by surfing for pornography and other nasty things. By His grace, and by Jesus Christ's faithfulness to His word, I am just overflowing with a desire to love as I have been loved, to be gracious as He has been gracious.

A wise pastor said more than once that the best way to demonstrate love to another is to lead that person to our own reason and source of love - Jesus Christ. That's the reason why I still pursue blogging, writing, photography...

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Have a good day.

On The Road

I haven't had my laptop with me for more than a week now, and though I thought that was going to be a hindrance on my part when it came to blogging, Lo and behold - I forgot all about the capabilities of the beloved 'Colonel' (the name I gave my iPhone - it used to be my Dad's).

So though I haven't been up to speed here in Bloggerland, I've been busy in Instagram, and needless to say, I've a seen its potentials in getting a message through to more people. So sit back and relax, because God willing I will be sharing what shots I've been taking with this handy-dandy phone more here.

There must be a way to link Instagram to Blogger. If not, oh well... Ill be PicFraming my shots, and you can always find me in Instagram as _jibee.

God bless and keep us all.

Sample 47.5 - Half Baked (La Trinidad, '12)

"Michael, I did nothing."
- Peter Gibbons to Michael Bolton in the beautiful movie, Office Space

I call this Sample 'Half Baked' because, unfortunately, I'm really just posting to fill this day's slot.

God forgive me for not really working and walking with Him today. I must admit that I was pretty selfish today - though He keeps proving His absolute faithfulness through the lives we still have on this world, I feel as if I was just seeking comfort and entertainment for myself this Monday.

It's sad to think that I could have learned and accomplished so much. But I pray that we just keep on going anyhow.

Here's to better posts moving forward. To God be all the praise forever and ever.

Sample 43 - Nangalisan Rice Fields (Benguet '12)

I had other photos in mind to post but my nose had other ideas. I don't know how this cold happened, but my preference to let my sweat naturally dry off after working out probably had something to do with it.

So here I present a picture I took with my iPhone (which I call the Colonel) when we had the opportunity to be part of a group from our church called to bless a resort quite a ways from the city and the main highway. That meant a long drive and an equally long walk.

Now that I remember the events related to this shot I also remember that was also feeling under the weather back then. My joining the 'expedition' to the resort and my posting this right now (despite current and improving circumstances) - I suppose they are testimonies to the message, 'the show must go on'...

Thank God for the strength He gives us in times we absolutely need to go on - in walking great distances, in posting blogs and photos consistently, in staying on the path regardless of what hindrances come. Truly, His glory is needed even more when the enemy tries to take the upper hand. It is my sincere prayer that God would be glorified, and the love and salvation of Christ would be made known before, during, and after every situation.

God bless you!

Sample 40 - Transition (Baguio '12)

Nikon D80, 18-200mm @ 55mm, f/8, 25 second shutter (-0.3EV, Center-weighted metering), ISO 125

Nikon D80, 18-200mm @ 36mm, f/8, 1/800 second shutter (-0.3EV, Center-weighted metering), ISO 100

Transition - From the lights of the night to the light of day. As the night fades and as dawn looms, the glow of many lights gives way to the slow yet pronounced ushering in of the brightness of the sun.

This is the second time I shot the sunrise with some good friends in photography up in Kabuyao, an area you would pass as you climb Mt. Sto. Tomas. You'd have to wake up really early to make sure you're up there, all set up and ready before sunrise. As I go through these shots I'm reminded of some very important lessons.

You need to be prepared - well rested, fully charged, with all equipment accounted for. Also, sometimes you need to do some travelling to get to some good spots to shoot.

I have to be honest; The reason why I posted these shots is because I took some shots from my iPhone during the same shoot, and I posted that shot on Facebook first. Here it is:

iPhone, Auto-all Settings (Like I had a choice), Instagram filter (Forgot which one)

Now I figure, posting this shot on Facebook was an accidental challenge I gave myself - is it possible for the pictures I took with the D80 to look at least a bit better than what I took from my iPhone?

I'll leave you to decide on which pictures look better. Of course, constructive feedback is always welcome.

God bless you!



_________________________
jb.redeemed
email me at jibee@rocketmail.com. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you His Shalom. - Numbers 6:24-26

Sample 34 - Wading In The Mist

Yesterday I drove a young brother of mine around the city. I lent him my camera and told him it was his turn to take pictures. As I was going through his shots I saw that he was playing with the camera at some points, but there were some pictures which communicated that he was comfortable with shooting.

After a few stopovers I brought him to some more serious spots to shoot - one along Monticello, Camp 7, and the fenced 'forest' in close to the Baguio Convention Center. The fog settled in so beautifully as he took pictures of the trees in that last area, that I had to take a few pictures of my own. With my iPhone. Thinking I'd upload it in Instagram. But man, that filtered shot came out so good in my opinion that it had to be shared on my blog.

I went as far as going through the pictures my brother took to see if I could replicate the same shot using some photoshop presets... Then I thought, what's wrong with just posting my very first - wait... - second iPhone phone up to this blog?

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It can't just stay on Instagram. Sorry. God bless you!