One Hot Day of Fun! (Part 1 of 3)

Trying to sleep was a futile effort. In my mind, hundreds of images of the past festival ran around like cats and dogs chasing each other. Good thing there was Bubble Gang to divert my attention to. After the TV show, a short nap and it was already time to roll.

1:00 AM. Abby and I got our packed things in the cars. Kuya Rey Nocum called to say he couldn't make it because of a family medical emergency. But he said he would keep in touch with the group because of the IDs to the special access areas. We were saddened but at least we still have the other guys to go with us. We had the cars gas tanks filled then called Eric Fernandez (known in Flickr as Erxkulotz), who was already on his way to the meeting place, the 7-Eleven store at the EDSA Grand Central Pavillion building, same place we were to pick up Eric Espenida (k.i.f. Ryuji23).

1:30 AM. At the Pavillion, it didn't seem to be wee hours because the mall lights were still on and many people are around, walking and talking. We parked by the 7-Eleven store, got ourselves something to eat, and waited for Eric and Ryuji. Ryuji came with a stranger. He introduced her to us as "Andrea." As she looked fine, I thought our problem with model shoot at the festival was solved! Eric arrived and around 2:00 AM we left EDSA Central.

2:00 AM. We fetched two Dennises (I already had two Erics on onboard! Haha) at the Munoz Market crossing--Dennis Tanay and Dennis Dayao (we called him by his Flickr alias, "Tuklaw!", to differentiate from Tanay). We already met Dennis T. at the Ecopark photo event but Tuklaw is completely unknown to us. He looked gaunt and at first I thought he had short hair; but then he seated on the front passenger seat and I saw his pony-tailed long hair. Thus, we hit the NLEX, dropped by Petron Jollibee, then began navigating the longest stretch to the Angeles exit, chatting the whole length of the tollway.

3:00 AM. We were lost! We exited via the Angeles access road and crossed over to the left side via the overpass. We missed the right turn to the Festival field and came to the bridge going to Porac! We Asked for directions, and backtracked and was at Clark Field at around 4:00 AM.

4:00 AM. I immediately noticed the big difference in setup from last year. The carpark was more organized, fenced-in by, albeit, flimsy sticks and straw cords. It was guarded unlike last year where the parking was just beside the way. The entrance to the Field was now elaborate and the fence higher than the previous year. We parked in the cold and dust of the dawn and tried to catch on some sleep. From the driver's seat I could see some festival goers arriving early. Some were taking souvenir photos by the gate. The big tree before the gate was lit by the spot lights from the gate fence, creating a dramatic effect.

"We can put Andrea on that branch up there and shoot her now," I joked.

The sight beckoned the shutterbug in me and then I was restless until I took a photo of it. I took out my cam and got some pre-sunrise shots.

5:00 AM. All sleep fled and we were in the line going inside the Field. The Fuji-YKL booth was already swarmed by photogs clamoring for IDs to the special access area and enlisting for the photo contest. Kuya Ronnie Ragonton (k.i.f. Ronrag) came and joined the group. We also met Docbertus with his brother. Richard Santillan was also present.

We got to the front of the line but when we asked for our IDs, we were turned down. "We give preference to those clubs accredited by the FPPFI," explained the booth attendant. "You would have to wait until they claim theirs. If there's any more left, I can give them to your club."

6:00 AM. We were disappointed. Kuya Rey confirmed the availability of the IDs. I sent him a text message. Thankfully he was still awake. He promised to call the booth administrator to whom he submitted our formal request. We tried again but was rebuffed once more by the attendant. Downcast, we took our position at the fence of the special access area, where the balloons were being wheeled around the area to their designated spots. We situated ourselves at the fence on the runway were we have a good vantage view of the mountain beyond. Balloon pilots and their attendants were fleeting everywhere with vans and trucks hauling burners and and baskets. In our frustration about the IDs, we yelled at photogs who blocked what remaining views of the flight preparations that was dealt to us.

Then, I got a call from Kuya Rey instructing us to get our special access IDs. Our enthusiasm thus rekindled, we hurried to the Fuji-YKL booth where we found the last 6 IDs! We put them on and running towards the balloon launch area, we started shooting at balloons already rising like giants waking up to the heat of the morning sun.

Once in, we were each to his own! From the hangar I readied my camera and flash and off I was, shooting as I go, lying on my back to get an upward shot, unmindful of the trampling I could get from the other photogs and attendants, as well as pilots and passengers. In 30 minutes, almost all balloons have taken off. -- End of Part 1. The following are part 1 photos. To see all FPC Hot Air Balloon Fest photos, click this: FPC Hot Air Balloon

PoW! 38th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"awts"
by: laz'andre
No Exifs Available

Photog's Comments: May kasabihan na "tawanan ang problema." Siyempre noong bata ka pa, alam mo lang tawanan ang problema ng iba. (Translation: "There's a saying "laugh at problems." Of course, when you were young, you only know how to laugh at other's problems.")
(He's ok, except that this must be his most embarassing moment...)

Editor's Comments: Very true. We laugh at others in their embarrassing moments but look at ours as a great misfortune. But when we keep our sense of humor, we look back later, and yup you guess, we tend just smile or laugh at most our failures. After all, we are still here and survived them all.

Andre captures, in a very quick flash of reflex, a very rare moment that called for a "quick eye, quick finger." In this photo, I see myself both in the children that are laughing and the boy that kissed the steps of the stairs.

"break"
by: TyC
No Exifs Available

Member's Comment: while browsing the FPC photostream, this one caught my attention.. i love how the photographer composed the shot.. the model, stairs, door, and lighting.. harmony at work.. the title also had an impact on me, we all need a break from our busy 8-5 life.

"The path!"
by: merlysunflower
Kodak P880 Zoom, 1/400, f/2.8, 5mm, ISO50

Member's Comment: well compose picture and what makes this picture interesting is the curve line from the tracks of a vehicle that creates a very visual path

PoW! 37th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"777"
by: scubapup
Canon EOS-1D Mark III, 1/400. f/8, 700mm, ISO100

Editor's Comment: The colors and composition of this photo is just wonderful. The first time I saw this. I thought this was a background wallpaper from Microsoft's Vista. The photo gives you a relaxing feeling. Would love to use this as my wallpaper. May I? :D

"FPC at Binondo group shot"
by: ianong
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: Another pick from our FPC meets! "Friends... Photos... and Cameraderie." These three words have been ingrained into the culture of Flickers Photo Club (FPC). This photo exemplifies them all! It signifies what FPC really is all about -- fun ,sharing and belongingness. Whatever class of photographer you are--learning, earning or yearning; snapper, or composer, technical or emotional--you will find your place in FPC. All you need is your camera and passion for Photography, and of course, your funny bones! Come learn and shoot the fun way. The FPC way!

"Astig Pinoy Photographers"
by: -Roy-
No Exifs Available

Member-Picker's Comment: I love this photo. Instead of seeing photographers with their guns in detail. No brags on this. Discrete. Just pure passion in each silhouette, moving as a group, ready to shoot, one in mission, but each with a different eye for beauty and artistry. Talagang astig ang Pinoy Photographers, anywhere they meet up, Dubai or any part of the world!

PoW! 36th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

by: xtoid
Nikon D200, 1/250, f/1.8, 50mm, ISO1600

Editor's Comment: I like the action in this shot very much. You can see the intensity of it. I also like how the photo came out. I can imagine this in the front page of a newspaper. Nice work.

"Signature"
by: DIRTH MAN
Canon EOS 300D Digital, 1/320, f/4.5, 34mm, ISO100

Editor's Comment: as they say.. "boys first love are wheels and not heels". if i were to pass by such a beauty, i would also stop in appreciation. The photographer was able to express his feelings through this photo. Nostalgic and swept him off his feet to the clouds...

There are things that makes a man sigh like a little boy and a woman would never understand.

(hayyyy.. ang ganda nga talaga)

"Coro"
by: ianfelix
Nikon D40, 1/10, f/3.5, 18mm, ISO800

Photographer's Comment: Manila Cathedral's choir chamber. It houses one of the oldest pipe organ in the country, restored to its original form to bring back the glory days of Spain in the Philippines.

Editor's Comment: It was tough choosing from the architecture photos this time, with lots of shared great captures from talented FPC members like Andre, Marvin, Ian, Chewy and many more. But I had to settle for only one. This one. Why? Although, the interior was not shot from floor to ceiling (which could have been done with a portrait orientation?), the horizontal details are just as effective.

The lamps, the ornamented arches, majestic ancient pillars, domed ceilings and a curious centerpiece in queer blue light, all contribute to a grand composite. Your eyes will travel to every nook and cranny of this photo looking for more, even if you need to explore only one symmetrical side.

PoW! 35th Week

Here are this week's FPC's PoW!s, in no order of preference:

"Solitary Planter"
by: jeridaking
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: i always love seeing serene scenes like this one. it gives you a calming effect and also make you want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.

"Ring my bell"
by: Ian Ong
No Exifs Available

Editor's Comment: Time again to honor great photos from FPC events. There's definitely glamor in this photo, because of the expression is so catchy, that most attention is drawn to the subject. The windblown hair adds to the glamor, creating a feeling like Mercedes is in a wanton state, without regard to how she looks or appears to the viewers, like a forlorn beauty left atop the bell tower waiting for a release.

"pusa"
by: addikkk
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, 1/4, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO1600

Member-Picker's Comment: One striking photo. One can think of many things when looking at the photo. Good angle. Nice timing in capturing the subject. Contrast matches the whole composition.

FPC June Photo Contest Winners

Here are the entries and winners of the FPC June "H2O" Theme Photo Contest

"The Entries"

and here are the Top 3 Winners for the month of June:

3rd Place Winner

"Out of the Earth"
by:Rareimages by Shutterbugrer

2nd Place Winner

"Gush Forth"
by: [2]rokbot[2]y

1st Place Winner

"The Water Tree"
by: Hocchuan

Congratulations to the Winners!

Watch out for our FPC July "Catchy Colors" Theme Photo Contest. Thanks for dropping by.