Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Pine for Trees

Pine Trees, Polomolok
If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.
   ~Hal Borland
Pine Trees, Polomolok

Pine Trees, Polomolok

Pine Trees, Polomolok
The trees are God’s great alphabet:
With them He writes in shining green
Across the world His thoughts serene.
   ~Leonora Speyer
Pine Trees, Polomolok

Red Flower, Polomolok

Trees, Polomolok
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
   ~Joyce Kilmer, "Trees," 1914
Trees, Polomolok


Locations: Dole and Trappistine Monastery, Polomolok

Friday, October 10, 2014

Gab - Cy Wedding

Late post. This wedding happened last September 20 in Calinan Church and Malagos Garden Resort. It was my first time being the main, and for the most part the only, photographer. If not because the groom's my friend, I would not have accepted this job. The two previous wedding jobs I had were as an assistant, which gave me more freedom to move around. So I salute wedding photographers for doing what they do because the pressure's just way over the scale I can handle.

As for the wedding, thankfully it was the most laid-back and spontaneous I've ever attended. My directions were to take photo-journalistic/candid shots, which I liked. The couple didn't want any photo shoots, which I also liked. I don't remember any awkward moments. In many instances in Philippine weddings, guests would start to leave after having their dinner, even though the reception program has just started. But there was none of that in this wedding. Everybody participated and had fun! And the program? Well, no professionals were hired. It was completely a production of the couple's friends and relatives.

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

I brought two cameras with me. One was an old DSLR, which I thought already died, but suddenly worked when I took it to a service center just days before the wedding. However, the photos it takes now have a washed-out color and vintage feel to it. Below is one of the photos from the old cam.

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion
The groom (right) and best man discussing some plans for the reception.

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion
This is another shot from the old camera.
I was almost late to the wedding because there was some misunderstanding with the resort's shuttle service. As a result, I was running around like crazy when the march started. One of the groom's co-workers, who also acted second photographer, was also late. :(

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion
I love how busy this photo looks.

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion

Gab - Cy Wedding. Photography by nephithyrion
Myk, the best man, delivered a Star Wars-themed speech.
The lights were turned off when he took out his light saber. :)