Bamboo Forest in Kyoto

Posted on 09. Jan, 2012 by Brandon.

The beautiful bamboo forest in Kyoto. Nature’s cathedral.

The massive bamboo elicits a low rumble of beckoning; rhythmically leaning into their neighbors as if politely exchanging thoughts.

Canon 5D Mk II | Canon 17-40mm | f/22 | 30 seconds | ISO 50

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Fushimi Inari-taisha Torii

Posted on 08. May, 2011 by Brandon.

Torii leading to the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine in Kyoto, Japan. Getting tired of displaying images this small on the blog. Need a new solution…

Canon 5D mk II | Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | @f/4.0 | 1/40 sec | ISO 1000

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Happy holidays and random ramblings

Posted on 21. Dec, 2010 by Brandon.

Wishing you all a happy holiday and hope 2010 brought some good things into your life.

We’ve decided to stay in the Philippines for the holiday. I have about 3 1/2 weeks off from work, but will need to take care of other work in this time. It’s not that bad, especially considering where we’re living now, but it’s still tough knowing the vast majority of my coworkers are scattered across the globe or relaxing on white sandy beaches while I’m surrounded by 10 million people.

I was offline for a while, as I took a trip to Central Luzon to Banaue. I was up there last year around this time as well. You can check out my previous photos and posts from the trip, here. Overall it was a great experience once again, but unfortunately it rained pretty much the entire time.

I’ll be striving to finally get through some of my photos from my trip to Japan in Oct/Nov. It’s pretty overwhelming seeing 80 GB of photos from that trip – almost not sure where to begin. Here’s one to kick things off.

Japanese Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

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Photographing Manila as an expat

Posted on 06. Sep, 2010 by Brandon.

Took a stroll the other day with a fellow photography enthusiast and Novita through a part of Manila most expats would never dare explore. Between that area and the area we live in, “Fort Bonifacio”, there’s a massive, imposing wall reaching 5 meters in some places.

I wasn’t sure if it was keeping them out, or keeping us walled in.

The security guards near one entrance just smiled and said there’s no way we could enter. Of course that didn’t stop us – we found a small gate 300 meters down the road that led us into what can only be deemed the polar opposite of where we live.

In Indonesia, I regularly went exploring on foot through less developed areas, landfills, and slums. The major difference was that I understood what those around me were saying. Yet after more than a year in Manila, I still can’t speak a lick of Tagalog – English is much more widespread. I’ll admit, it feels more vulnerable not knowing what the young guys are saying about Novita when they chuckle together. I try to smile and keep walking when I’m pretty sure they’re saying something derogatory about her – continually reminding myself that we’re the visitors wandering around their grounds by choice. It’s not always easy.

Luckily, most of those we met on the street were friendly and just wanted to practice their English. I managed to take a few interesting photos, but for the most part simply wanted to take in my surroundings and gauge everyone’s response to our cameras. I consider it groundwork for going out again.

Unfortunately, the next day, my friend went out again on his own to take photos and was pick-pocketed. His phone was stolen right out of his bag as he was taking pics. He felt it, but by the time he realized it, the guy was on his way out of there. A few girls pointed the thief out and my friend managed to get his phone back. It is a reminder to not always assume the best in people I suppose, but it could have happened nearly anywhere. It’s not fair to label a country, its people, or their station in life – there are thieves in every country, culture, and level of society. It is what it is. Better to lose a cheap Nokia than a pension plan. It won’t deter him; he’ll be back out next weekend with his camera and a grin.

It’s taken me much longer to get out with my camera in Manila than it ever did in Jakarta. But I hope I can get to know the people beyond my expat bubble, to see the similarities and contrast amongst Indonesian and Filipino people, and learn to appreciate this amazing culture just as I did with my beloved Indonesia.

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Somewhere over the…

Posted on 18. Apr, 2010 by Brandon.

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Boracay skies

Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by Brandon.

30 second exposure on Boracay’s beach. Sunset.

Canon 5D Mk II | 17-40mmL

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137 Seconds

Posted on 10. Feb, 2010 by Brandon.

Boracay beach, Novita carved out this mermaid. Taken after dark with 137 second exposure.

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
@17mm f/8.0 ISO 100

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Boracay

Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by Brandon.

Imagine…

… strolling through pure white flour, sifting baby powder through your warm toes, or meandering through a path of cocaine* as far as the eye can see. Now, amplify that intensity by adding a dab of blue to the horizon; blue the color of afternoons forever spent on your back massaging shapes from clouds.

At first glance you fight back the urge to lay down and lick and lap at what surely must be powdered sugar from Willy Wonka’s Tropical Dreamscape.

Get the picture?

That’s Boracay.

The best beach I’ve ever seen.

Period.

I’ve journeyed to sundry beaches across the world. Some surrounded by towering peaks of limestone, others by gently sloping mountains sprawling into the sea, some backed by exquisite mansions, others by broken jagged fence posts. But speaking purely of the quality and consistency of sand, in harmony with tranquil liquid sky, I’ve yet to find a rival to Boracay. The closest memory conjured by this beach is that of White Sands, New Mexico, sans the aquamarine contrast of the South China Sea.

The photographs that follow are only a fleeting glimpse into the serenity that saturates this nirvana.

*I’ve NEVER touched cocaine, so don’t even go there.

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