It Happens

While I was on assignment in Agusan a few months ago, my Nikon D70, a trusted workhorse that has served me for years, finally broke down. It refused to focus the lens, just I was trying to shoot a group portrait, under a natural light that was changing fast from sunny to overcast. Like any human faced with the prospect of screwing-up, I immediately felt cold and gripped with panic. I had enough instinct left to walk calmly to my gear bag, pretending that some spontaneous creative impulse made me decide that the image would look better if I use my D40 back-up body. The photos from this assignment are featured in the August issue of Marie Claire Philippines, including the group portrait in question.

Caraga Kids: A World Vision Foundation sponsored group of talented
children from the Caraga region of the Philippines. They have done
theater performances in Germany, Netherlands and Singapore.

Jefty, a member of the Caraga Kids, singing a song with his father.

Beach Not

I've always wanted to shoot a beach volleyball game. Just like surfing, the game is part of the laid-back beach bum lifestyle that I very much appreciate. A few weeks ago, I was finally invited to cover an inter-collegiate game at the Cantada Sports Center. Even if it was played on a huge and elaborate sandbox instead of a real seaside location, I was still hoping that I could get images of sun-tanned female athletic bodies glistening under the sunny blue sky. Unfortunately, a tropical typhoon was approaching Manila on that day, and it was overcast with occasional rain showers.

Beach volleyball action at the Cantada Sports Stadium

Back On Feet

I was getting restless from my extended break, so when my friend over at Table for Three called to ask if I wanted to do a quick shoot, I immediately agreed. As part of our ongoing effort to sneak and peak inside the kitchens around Manila, he brought me over to Purple Feet to shoot Chef Marco Legato and his team at work. Located inside Wine Depot at Reposo St. in Makati, Purple Feet is known for Freestyle Cooking: instead of a fixed menu, dishes are created based on the preferences of the guests.

Searing Tuna at the Purple Feet kitchen

We hang around the kitchen and I took photos of the Chef Marco and his crew as they prepared three dishes for the blog feature. The action around the stove was intense, and I actually felt rusty after being sedentary for quite some time, but it was good to be taking pictures again.

Check-out the story at Table for Three.