There’s no safer place than the streets of Makati to take Night Streetscape shots with. No worries about the junkies coz they don’t exist here. Another hero arises, good job for the city mayor for keeping this place safe and clean. \m/

Seize the day, claim the night, take advantage of it and have a nice shot! Here’s Makati Avenue on your usual sight. Street lights above your head, tall and bright structures that will turn your head.

Makati Ave Streetscape

Settings:
ISO 800
f/3.2
1/15 sec

This next shot I present to you is taken on a different spot, different view and a different angle. Here’s Makati Ave looks like from the top.

Makati Ave Streetscape

Settings:
ISO 400
f/11
10 sec

Our actual shooting took place on the ledge of our 12th floor, outside the pantry on where we work for. Wanna try something different from your office? Here’s my advice man… Get your cam, set your tripod and place yourself outside your building. (just like what we’ve done here hehehe!) I assure you, you’ll have the thrill of shooting and a wonderful photograph all in one. If you have a fear of heights, well this is the right spot for you to test yourself and overcome it!

Q: What else can we shoot other than this beautiful scene?
A: Portraits.

Night Outdoor Portrait

Settings:
ISO 400
f/3.5
1 sec
Pop-up Flash

Go give yourselves a nice souvenir shots about the craziness you’ve done on your office, coz this is something you don’t usually do and see everyday. Hehehe!

“Ganito kami sa Makati” – and definitely we’ll do it again! \m/

Thanks for dropping by to my Candid Gallery! By the way, if you like this post, you can drop some comments and rate it. Just click those stars and gimme a hell yeah! \m/
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Gears Used:
Canon EOS 1000D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens a.k.a Nifty Fifty… My 2nd lens, my Trigger’s second glass. \m/

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens

Good image quality and very cheap price… The 2 reasons why I bought this lens. I’ve scored this one on Canon D Zone around 5000 bucks and a lens hood that costs 1300 PHP. Doin’ a little math here, you can have a Prime lens, a very good quality image and a large 1.8 aperture for a small price of 6300 bucks. How good is that?! If you don’t have a lens like this, I suggest you should go and get one! Make no mistake about it, you’ll get much on what you’ve pay for. This lens simply rocks! \m/

Here’s my nifty fifty test shots on Streetscape, Food and Portrait under low light condition. No image alteration, editing and brightness/contrast adjustments… In short, no post processing (except for image resizing and watermarks). Check this out!

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens on Streetscape

These shots were taken at the Ayala Triangle Park. Using ISO 800 on both shots produces nice and noiseless image.
Streetscape shots #1 and #2 Settings:
ISO 800
f/2.5
1/20 sec

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens on Streetscape

This photo below was taken on the streets of Makati. A nice place to test the lens on street lights. Notice the blue spots? Yeah, this is one major problem with this lens. It casts flares/ghosts easily even if you have your lens hood attached.
Streetscape #3 Settings:
ISO 800
f/3.2
1/15 sec

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens on Streetscape

Food shooting trip time! Here’s a shot of an ice cream on a low-light resto bar. Image quality is very good and sharp without post-processing.
Food Shot Settings:
ISO 200
f/2.2
1/10 sec

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens on Food Shot

Portraits… Let’s see what this lens can bring on ISO 800 and Flash On under Florescent lights.
Portrait Settings:
ISO 800
f/5.0
1/125 sec
Flash On

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens on Portrait

After taking these series of shots, I give you the Pros and Cons, Positive and Negative, the Good and Bad Points of this lens.

Good Points:
1. Very Nice Image Quality
2. Good in low-light conditions
3. Noiseless on ISO 800
4. Large Aperture (f/1.8)
5. Cheap and Affordable
6. Durability – Trust me man, even if it’s plastic built, this lens has a lot of durability! Here’s a proof:
This lens fell off, bouncing 4 steps down on the stair that I was sitting. So how’s my nifty fifty after that? Well my lens hood got wrecked and the rear cap received deep scratches, but the lens itself was all good. And that folks is how you test the durability of the nifty fifty! This lens rocks! \m/

Bad Points:
1. Ghosting/ Flare – See Streetscape Shot #3.
2. No IS – Since it is an EF lens, it has no Image Stabilizer feature compared to 50mm L lens. Shooting hand held with this one would be a problem specially If you’re hands were shaky. Solution? Set aside your laziness and bring your tripod!
3. Hard to Focus – Watch your distance from your subject.  Make sure you have 0.45m/1.5 ft distance and above from the subject to the lens to achieve your focus.
4. Noisy on Focusing – This is one thing noticeable but never bothers me.

Recommendation: Hell Yeah! I would recommend this lens if you’re planning to buy one.
Ratings: I’ll give 4/5 horns for this lens! \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/

Oh by the way, make sure you’ll listen to Pantera’s Walk before goin’ out and grabbing a lens! \m/

That’s it folks! Thanks for dropping by to my Nifty Fifty test. By the way, if you like this post, you can drop some comments and rate it. Just click those stars and gimme a hell yeah! \m/
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Gears Used:
Canon EOS 1000D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens

Waiting time is over Shot n’ Rollers, no more crappy intro’s and blah blah blah… Ladies and Gents, I bring you, the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! Yeah! \m/

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

To start off the party, I give you the first 3 shots taken on day light. No clouds, no blue skies and no sun shine. Good thing these balloons were colorful, colorful enough to catch your bored attention.

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

An egg a day is definitely A-OK! This is what will happen when the eggs were not properly hatched.

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Since it’s Valentines Day, I shot this one as a valentine shot for all of you chick-magnets out there. Use the empty space to write your dedication to your hotties and groupies, and it’s pretty damn sure, you’ll gonna bring home the hot bacon… \m/

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Hot air balloon set on a dusk time. Just a few minutes before the background fades to black. Blue, yellow and red, 3 official colors on an ass-kickin’ magical time.

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

A smart balloon on a nice spot. A smart thing to shoot on a smart time. Operated by smart people that will give you a smart ride… Yeah!

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

And as always, heart is the center of attraction…
Well then, so be it…It’s valentines day anyway hehehe!

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Dusk time is over ladies and gents!
Blue is out, black is in! Here’s what hot air balloon looks like at night…

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

A hot air balloon silhouette… One of my fave shots on this event. \m/

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We’re off to never never-land

A perfect track for an ass-kickin’ event! Enter Sandman by Metallica… A head-bangin’ track that will keep your testosterone uprising and will keep your balls jogglin’ in the air!

Let’s give our metal horns for this one hot air festival. As for me, I will definitely give 5 metal horns for this one!

Rating: \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/

Missed the 1st part of this post? Check this out!

Thanks for dropping by to my Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Gallery! By the way, if you like this post, you can drop some comments and rate it. Just click those stars and gimme a hell yeah! \m/
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Gears Used:
Canon EOS 1000D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens

Feb 14 is the Fourth Fiesta Day, according to the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta calendar. At 150 bucks of entrance, you can have a whole lotta love on the air. This is an annual event that you shouldn’t miss, coz it is packed with full aerial of surprises!

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

So while waiting for the main event, which is the hot air balloon, let’s mount the all around kit lens, strap the cam on and take a photowalk around.

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Kites, Kids and Clouds… 3 things you will see on and off your cam. So what the heck are we waitin’ for? Shot n’ Roll time baby! \m/

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Kite Flying Exhibition… See the formation? These kite flying freak rules! \m/

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

These kids were just one of the hundreds of people who’s watching the Kite Flying Exhibition show. (Reminds me of my shorty’s days hehehe!)

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
One of the last shows before the much awaited Hot Air Balloon Fiesta… Yeah!

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Taking a few steps back from the fence, here’s how it looks like…

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Skydiving Exhibition in progress…

Wonder if he can land on the clouds…

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and UK Paragliding Exhibition.

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Breath-taking aerial show is what they bring. You know what’s crazy about these guys? Well inspite of the danger of it, they really enjoy what they’re doing, so let’s give our horns to these ass-kickin’ Paragliders right here, coz they rock! \m/

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Walk this way, Walk this way
Just gimme a kiss
Like this!

Walk this way by Aerosmith. A perfect title for this (above) shot.

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Sun is setting, dusk is coming. In a few minutes, massive balloons uprising. Turn the page to the next set, coz Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is up next. My 2nd and last part of Shot n’ Roll on this event. \m/

Thanks for dropping by to my Kite Flying and Skydiving Exhibition Gallery! By the way, if you like this post, you can drop some comments and rate it. Just click those stars and gimme a hell yeah! \m/
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Gears Used:
Canon EOS 1000D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens

After feeding us the information, theories, tips and settings discussed by the Lightcatcher Master(Richard Yulo), the actual shooting took place at the UST campus. No more theories, no more write-ups, the real application starts here. So without further adieu, I bring you my shots taken at the grounds of UST. Special thanks to the Lightcatcher for this one. \m/

Opening ceremony. Let’s all look to the flag and show our patriotism.

UST Philippine Flag

Path to Righteousness… The photowalking journey starts here…

Path to Righteousness

Let’s sit for a few minutes here. Band at Rest, a shot taken while having a quick break. \m/

Band at Rest

This one will catch your attention. A statue with a fountain on her feet. Very nice subject to shoot from.

Heavenly Statue

Clock’s ticking, night is coming.
Unload those shots to the beautiful spots.

UST Clock Tower

The monochrome UST Clock Tower.

Looking back to the path you’ve taken, here’s what it leads…

Path to the Arc

Facing back from the clock tower, a diferent view, a different direction and a different effect.

Reaching the end of the opposite direction, you’ll find the famous UST Arc of the Century.

UST Arc of the Century

Feel free to pass the arc, nevermind the rumors! Go see and test it yourself. Your future lies here… \m/

The lens-catchin’ colors that dusk brings. My favorite time for shooting sceneries. UST on dusk scenery… A shot that you definitely don’t wanna miss.

UST on Dusk Scenery

And after a long hours of shot n’ rollin’ on the most interesting spots of the campus, time to get the souvenir shot. A self-portrait on the UST grounds. Thanks to Apollo, God of the Sun, for casting long shadows. \m/

Self Portrait #1: Tree is a Crowd

One is enough, two is too much and Tree is a Crowd! My self-portait #1 what I’ve called Tree is a Crowd.

Self Portrait #2: Shadow Spiral

My 2nd shot, another self-portrait what I called Shadow Spiral.

That’s it folks! Thanks for dropping by to my UST Photowalk Gallery. Just a little personal thought…

You know what’s cool about this school? Well, aside from it’s reputable profile (as we all know), this is a nice place for photowalking. Just have your UST buddy along with you and that’s it. Shot n’ Roll, all day long! \m/

By the way, if you like this post, you can drop some comments and rate it. Just click those stars and gimme a hell yeah! \m/
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Gears Used:
Canon EOS 1000D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens

OST:
Take a Picture – Filter

What: Hellmet Productions 3rd Year Anniversary
Where: Center for Arts, Timog
When: 01.16.10

With the performance of Grace of Brutality, Tubero, Mortal Fear, Blasphemous Cremation, Subculture, Rex and more.

Since we’re done introducing the 2 other bands on my earlier post, I now bring you the last set of shots and remaining bands with blast performance on this metal fest.
Ladies and Gents, the 4th band is up they’re ready to crush the stage…. Let’s give it up for Mortal Fear! \m/

Mortal Fear

Mortal Fear’s Guitar on solo… \m/

Mortal Fear

Blast beat, melodic licks, crushing riffs and a high-pitched screams. F#ck! this band is packed with technicality that will make you watch ‘em like a hawk. If your looking for an extreme music with a death metal tune, look no further, count ‘em in and play it loud! \m/ \m/

Mortal Fear

Our next band… Blasphemous Cremation!

Blasphemous Cremation… 2 Vox in 1 metal band? F*ck Yeah!

Blasphemous Cremation

Blast beat, death riffs and death solos will nail your asses down on your seats! Let me say this one…
Don’t judge the book by it’s cover, coz this band will bash the book to your heads by the music they create! Let’s give our horns for this great metal band right here! Death Metal or Grindcore? Be the judge, go see and hear them for your selves! \m/ \m/

Our next band… Rex!

Rex

As you can see, obviously, she’s from another country and not a metal band, but she rocks! Why? coz she enjoys performing at this metal fest regardless of her different music and the metal heads here. Let’s all give her a round of applause and show our horns for this rock band… \m/

Rex

Rex’ guitar on the solos… \m/

Rex

Our next band… Subculture!

Subculture

No ifs, no buts, this metal band right here is unique. Like the old Sepultura days to Soulfly, they also uses such instruments for creating their own unique music.
This band has more to give you than you think it is. Just check out their shows and see it for your self, and I bet your heads will be bouncing up and down on their unique tunes. Let’s give our horns for this metal band right here… \m/ \m/

Missed the first part? Check out the Thrash Post Here! \m/

Thanks for dropping by to my Blast Beat Metal Gallery! By the way, if you like this post, you can drop some comments and rate it. Just click those stars and gimme a hell yeah! \m/
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Gears Used:
Canon EOS 1000D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens
Canon Speedlite 580EX Flash