leave no man behind

I brought the Vivitar camera to Singapore, too, so that it wouldn't feel left out.


I have a soft spot for my Vivitar Ultra Wide, actually. I feel that the subjects for wide are limited, so getting a good shot is more challenging than say, using a Fisheye, which doesn't seem to care what the subject is. Framing the wide shot take a bit more time and effort, and the results are usually very gratifying.

But I love all my children.

eating my words 2

I can't explain it. I am compelled to buy film cameras. This is my third one.


My justification? So that I don't have to borrow Wonder Dog's Fisheye Lomo camera. I got my own.


So now I have three cameras in my bag all the time. The LX3 is, of course, indispensable. And depending on where I'm going, I have to choose among my Fisheye, my Vivitar Ultra Wide or my Golden Half.

My favorite thing about film photography is seeing the pictures for the first time after the film has been developed. That feeling of genuine surprise is hard to describe. It brings me back to my childhood when the world was younger and a sense of wonder was considered normal.

eating my words

Remember when I said that the Lumix LX3 would be the last camera I would ever buy?


It's a film camera! Doesn't count.

The Golden Half shoots half-frames per frame, which means that for a roll of 24, for example, you actually get 48 pictures. At first, I thought, What for?

After a while, I got it! It's a different way of telling stories with your photographs. Like so...


Shot at Orchard Road, Singapore. I used film which had expired in 2006. Interesting effect, but I think I prefer unexpired film.

island mouse

Because I live in Paradise, I have a tendency to take it for granted... until I have my film developed and see the pictures that I took months ago.

The northern end of the beach

View from my favorite spa

Somewhere in Angol

The mainland of Panay

I must have done something good in a previous life.

desert fashion

Photo by Bunny Rabbit.

Wearing: sunglasses by Topshop, tank top and walking shorts by Esprit, Baume et Mercier watch, Dupe flipflops and Fisheye Lomography camera.

Location: La Paz sand dunes. Less than 20 minutes' drive from Laoag City.

missing you

Now that I have returned the Fisheye Lomo camera to its rightful owner, I miss it.


I miss its unpredictability...


Its general wackiness...


This camera forces you to think out of the box...


And shoot from the hip.


Good thing my new Lumix LX3 has a fisheye lens attachment. Wiwit!

new toy

Last month, I got my Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim and I've been playing around with it. Here are some of my favorite photos:

While walking, on my way to the diagnostic clinic near my parents' house, to have my blood test.


Here's the Boracay Special Tourist Police. I was invited to one of their events.


The next two are my pictures of the new resort here on the island that everyone's talking about and wants to visit.


I am especially proud of this next one. It's possibly THE ONE for this year. You know what I mean-- that one great picture that is a serendipitous combination of everything necessary for a great picture.


I took this at Caticlan airport, at boarding time.


And this last one was taken near the monument of the dead boy scouts on Timog Avenue.


Two rolls of film = six photos that I'm happy with.

musings while on a pink bus

This Ilocos trip was the first one I had ever planned wherein the main objective was to take pictures. Bunny Rabbit had his Nikon D40 with the 18-200 lens, while I carried a Canon Powershot SD750 (set on "auto", mostly) and a Fisheye Lens Lomo.
These are the things we learned:
1. When you use a DSLR, you can't use sunblock. It will get on the strap, the lens, the cap, the buttons-- everything. You can, at most, wear a hat. And bring the largest towel that you can comfortably carry.

You can use sunblock if you use a point-and-shoot... unless the camera has a neck strap. Oops, sorry
about that, Wonder Dog. Look at the nice picture your camera took!

2. Wear shoes. You know, footwear that covers the entire foot. Not slippers, thongs, sandals or clogs. Sturdy and comfortable shoes will protect your feet from dirt, bites and various physical injuries. And did I mention the hot, hot sand?

3. Don't bring water. BUY refreshments at your destination. Sure, it's probably more expensive there, but remember that one liter of water is one kilogram. Now try lugging that around under the noontime sun in the desert with a DSLR around your neck.

Wherever you're going, there's likely to be a souvenir shop. They usually sell water. And you get a chance to talk to the locals.

4. Don't fall asleep in the bus. You might miss your stop.

5. Of course, you MUST carry your DSLR in its big fancy camera bag, but for your other stuff, an eco bag is best. They're cheap, spacious, durable, easy to find, light to carry around, and can be used to cover the ground and protect your clothes while you lie down to take a shot.

6. Sometimes the best view is the ant's-eye view.

7. Wear appropriate clothing. You want to make sure that nobody sees your butt crack when you take that ant's-eye view shot.

8. Always carry small change.

9. Do your research. What's there to see? How to get there? When's the best season to go? Why? What time of day will you be against the sun? How much time do you anticipate to be spending there?

10. Keep your eyes peeled. And when walking forward, look behind you every few steps. You never know what you're going to find.