Pictures from Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

Photos have been taken during a recent (April 2010) trip to Nagsasa Cove in San Antonio, Zambales -- a place reachable by a one-hour boat ride from Barangay Pundaquit. Compared to Anawangin, which you will pass by on your way to Nagsasa, the place is just more beautiful, more relaxing, more serene, less crowded and has a lot more to offer in terms of swimming, snorkelling and exploration. You will also get a chance to interact with the natives should you decide to visit the other side where a small Aeta community lives. The restroom facilities are also much better in Nagsasa, thanks to the very accomodating and friendly Mang Ador who is the keeper and architect of the place. The place is truly breath-taking and worth adding to your list of places to go to before you're too old to go anywhere else.

I have nothing bad to say about my visit there. I even got to experience the following during my two-day stay at Nagsasa:

• Sit by a bonfire (c/o Mang Ador)
• Witness a fire dance (thanks to a fellow camper who was practicing his fire dancing skills)
• Enjoy halo-halo and pinipig crunch by the beach (thanks to manong vendor for his unbelievable tenacity in selling ice creams!)

Because I am a learning (more of struggling) landscape photograher, I took panoramic shots of the place using my old and worn out Olympus E-500, my also worn out kit lens and my NEW Benro ball head tripod (which the master landscape photographer Mr. Edwin Martinez himself use and recommended). First time to take panoramic shots and had immense fun doing it. One photo composition would take around 14 to 24 shots and would have a width of at most 32 inches in Photoshop CS3 (via the Automate > Photomerge tool) but disappointingly, a height of less than 5 inches only! Now I understand why they say panoramic shots have to be taken in portrait orientation instead of landscape. Must abide by this rule next time.

Anyway, bigger versions of these panoramas can be found in my Flickr account. Comments are most welcome. Hope you would visit. Thanks and God bless!

Olympus Camera Repair Center

Axis Global Technologies
Manila, Philippines
Phone: (+632) 724-3340
Fax: (+632) 724-3353

This is where you call when something goes wrong with your Olympus camera and to inquire about availability of new models and accessories. You may also visit their website at http://www.axisglobal.com/ for a listing of the products they sell, although prices aren't available.

I'll be calling them soon to inquire about the replacement for my e-500's rubber hand grip. It came off last weekend during the Hot Air Balloon Festival here in Clark, Pampanga. I was too busy running, trying to fly a kite and didn't notice that the hand grip, which started to peal-off last year, had completely fallen-off.

I miss it so much. My e-500 feels (and looks!) so different without it.

Hidalgo Stores + More

Here's a listing of the telephone numbers of photography shops in Hildalgo, of the JT Photo World in Pasong Tamo and other photography stores in Metro Manila. Hoping to call in one of these days and inquire about pricing for a Canon 500D :)

Avenue (Hidalgo) 733-5474
Watson (Hidalgo) - 733-7697
Henrys (Hidalgo) - 733-7723 / 7357989 / 7345099
Mayer (Hidalgo) - 733-7722
JT Photoworld (Pasong Tamo) - 899-5018 / 09228995018
Aperture (Banawe) - 732-8991 / 4158454
Shutter Master (Don Bosco, Makati) - 893-3656
Definition Electronics (Makati Cinema Square) - 986-8610
Pixel Pro (Virramall) - 726-9387 / 572-5744
Tay Hua Trading (Binondo) - 242-3152 / 382-5211

Source: Digital Pinoy

FPPF's 4-Day Wedding Photography Workshop

The schedule for FPPF's 4-Day Wedding Photography Workshop 2010 classes have been posted and registration is now open. Workshop fee is at P7,500 -- a small price to pay for all the knowledge they are willing to share not just in the realm of taking wedding photos but in the business of wedding photography as well. Topics like contract making, fee guidelines and bridal fairs are included.

Wishing I can go, but since the dates fall on weekdays, it does not seem possible for me to attend. Sayang. This is a workshop that is really at the top of my list.

Recent Favorites

Amateur Snapper - easy to absorb articles about composition rules, tips on photographing different subjects (such as sculptures, spider webs, water drops).

Presets Heaven - for those who use Adobe Lightroom in editing photos. I just love their "fashion shoot" preset.

OlyclubPH.com - a forum for all those who own an Olympus camera in the Philippines. I'm still trying to get valid login credentials, howerver.

Big Huge Labs - add captions to your photos, create vintage photo booth strips, photo calendars, Flickr DNA, etc. Check it out and have fun with your photos!