A] Choose what you want to shoot; landscapes, seascapes. Don’t pay attention to what other people say, such as “that one’s more beautiful” or “this one’s is normal”. You’ll be spending lots of energy and enthusiasm to reach your objective, so you’re the only one responsible and you should be sure of what you’re doing.

B] Know how to get close to it: sceneries are often seen from far off – beautiful, interesting, full of challenges. But what happens when we try to draw closer? Roads run all around them, flowers grow between you and your objective, what seemed so clear on the map is tough in real life. So try all the paths and all the tracks until eventually one day you’re standing in front of the sceneries that you yearn to reach.

C] Learn from someone who has already photographed the scene: no matter how unique you feel, there is always someone who has had the same dream before you and ended up leaving marks that can make your journey easier; places to peg your tripod, must-have filters, the best season and time to shoot. The shoot is yours, so is the responsibility, but don’t forget that the experience of others can help a lot.

D] When seen up close, dangers are controllable: when you begin to shoot the sceneries of your dreams, pay attention to the surroundings. There are cliffs, of course. There are almost imperceptible cracks in the mountain rock. There are stones so polished by storms that they have become as slippery as ice. But if you know where you are placing each footstep, you will notice the traps and how to get around them.

E] Great landscapes and seascapes changes abruptly and constantly, so enjoy it: of course, you have to have an objective in mind – to shoot it on its best form, while you are present. But as you go along, more things can be seen, and it’s no bother to stop now and again and enjoy the panorama around you. At every frame photographed, you can see a little further, so use this to discover things that you still had yet to photograph.

F] Respect your body: you can only wake up so early if you give your body the attention it deserves. You have all the time that life grants you, as long as you walk without demanding what can’t be granted. If you go too fast you will grow tired and give up half way there. If you go too slow, night will fall and you will be lost. Enjoy the sceneries, take snaps of details, patterns, leading lines and textures that nature generously offers you, but remember to rest.

G] Respect your soul: don’t keep repeating “I’m going to shoot this”. Your soul already knows that, what it needs is to use each journey to be able to observe the diverse characteristics of a landscape. An obsession does not help you at all to reach your objective, and even ends up taking the pleasure out of the shoot. But pay attention: also, don’t keep saying “it’s better than I thought”, because that will make you lose your inner strength and desire to learn.

H] Be prepared to walk one kilometer more: the way up to the top of the mountain or a shoreline is always longer than you think. Don’t fool yourself, the moment will arrive when what seemed so near is still very far. But since you were prepared to go beyond, this is not really a problem and  the images will be very rewarding.

I] Be happy when you finished your shoot: cry, clap your hands, shout to the four winds that you did it, let the wind – the wind is always blowing up there – purify your mind, refresh your tired and sweaty feet, open your eyes, clean the dust from your heart. It feels so good, what was just a dream before, a distant vision, is now part of your life, and you captured it!

J] Make a promise: now that you have discovered a force that you were not even aware of, tell yourself that from now on you will use this force for the rest of your days. Preferably, also promise to discover other place for landscape, and set off on another adventure.

L] Share your photos: yes, and tell your story! Give your example. Tell everyone that it’s possible, and other people will then have the courage to shoot excellent landscapes.

The Festival theme this year is : “Celebrating 15 years of Festival Excellence.”

Panagbenga flower festival schedule includes Market Encounter at the Burnham Park (Feb. 1 – March 7), Legarda Rocks (February 12-14), Abanao Nights (Feb 26-28), Pony Boys Day (March 6), plus the main event of the Panagbenga : a Grand Street parade on February 27 and a Grand Float Parade on February 28.

Baguio City will also be celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration on February 13, 2009.

Here’s the complete list of Baguio Flower Festival schedule for 2010 :

November 16 – Launch of Panagbenga 2010
February 1 – Opening Parade
February 13 – Chinese New Year
February 12-14 – Legarda Rocks
February 14 – Fluvial Parade
February 14 – Camelot on the Lake
February 20 – Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom
February 20-22 – PMA Homecoming 2010
February 27 – Grand Panagbenga Street Parade
February 28 – Grand Float Parade
February 26-28 – Abanao Nights
Feb 1 – Mar 7 – Market Encounter
March 1-7 – Session Road in Bloom
March 6 – Pony Boys Day

Philippine Department of Tourism of Cordillera Autonomous Region Regional Director Pura Molintas also stressed the importance of sustaining the Panagbenga, which is a major yearly festival in the country that has already gained an international stature.

February 11 to 15, 2010 Clark Freeport Zone

Hey photo buddies here’s another event that we’re all been waiting for. Come to the Clark Airfield as early as 5AM as balloons fly out really early and if you want to secure a nice spot in the spectators area.

Here’s the schedule

February 11, 2010

Skydiver Flag Jump 5:20-5:30AM
Hot Air Balloon Flight 5:30-7:00AM
Paragliding Exhibition & Military Bands 7:00-7:30AM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight & Flour bombing 7:30-8:30AM
Aerobatic Flight Display 8:30-9:00PM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 9:00-9:30AM
Skydiving Exhibition 9:30-10:00AM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 10:00-11:30AM
Kite Flying Exhibition 11:30-12:00NN
Flying School Flyby 12:00-12:30PM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 12:30-1:00PM
Skydiving Exhibition 1:00-1:30PM
‘Fascination’ Airplane vs Car Race 1:30-2:00PM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 2:00-3:00PM
Rocketry Demonstration 3:00-3:30PM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight 3:30-4:00PM
Aerobatic Flight Dsplay 4:00-5:00PM
Paragliding Exhibition 5:00-5:30PM
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In 5:30-6:00PM

February 12, 2010

Skydiver Flag Jump 5:20-5:30AM
Hot Air Balloon Flight 5:30-7:00AM
Paragliding Exhibition & Military Bands 7:00-7:30AM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight & Flour bombing 7:30-8:00AM
Aerobatic Flight Display 8:00-9:00PM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 9:00-9:30AM
Skydiving Exhibition 9:30-10:00AM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 10:00-11:00AM
Kite Flying Exhibition 11:00-11:30AM
Flying School Flyby 11:30-12:00NN
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 12:00-12:30PM
Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration 12:30-1:30PM
Helio Courier Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstration 1:30-2:00PM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 2:00-3:00PM
Rocketry Demonstration 3:00-3:30PM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight 3:30-4:00PM
Aerobatic Flight Display 4:00-5:00PM
Paragliding Exhibition 5:00-5:30PM
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In 5:30-6:00PM

February 13, 2010

Skydiver Flag Jump 5:20-5:30AM
Hot Air Balloon Flight 5:30-7:00AM
Paragliding Exhibition & Military Bands 7:00-7:30AM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight & Flour bombing 7:30-8:00AM
Skydiving Exhibition 8:00-8:30AM
Helio Courier Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstration 8:30-9:00AM
Aerobatic Flight Display 9:00-9:45PM
Kite Flying Exhibition 9:45-10:00AM
Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration 10:00-11:00AM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 11:00-12:00NN
AOPA and Flying School Flyby 12:00-12:30PM
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 12:30-1:00PM
Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration 1:00-1:30PM
Helicopter Flight Display 1:30-2:00PM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 2:00-2:45PM
Skydiving Exhibition 2:45-3:15M
AOPA Regional Summit 3:00-5:00PM
Fire-fighting Demonstration 3:15-3:45PM
Aerobatic Flight Display 3:45-4:30PM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight 4:00-4:30PM
Rocketry Demonstration 4:30-5:00PM
Paragliding Exhibition 5:00-5:30PM
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow 5:30-6:00PM

February 14, 2010

Skydiver Flag Jump 5:20-5:30AM
Hot Air Balloon Flight 5:30-7:00AM
Paragliding Exhibition & Military Bands 7:00-7:30AM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight & Flour bombing 7:30-8:00AM
Helio Courier Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstration 8:00-8:30AM
Aerobatic Flight Display 8:30-9:15PM
Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration 9:15-10:00AM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 10:00-11:00AM
Fire-fighting Demonstration 11:00-12:00NN
Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration 12:00-12:30PM
Skydiving Exhibition 12:30-1:00PM
AOPA Aircraft Flyby and Departure 1:00-1:30PM
Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Finals 1:30-2:30PM
Kite Flying Exhibition 2:30-3:00M
Valentine’s Day Flower and Candy Drop 3:00-3:15PM
Skydiving Exhibition 3:15-3:45PM
Ultralight & Microlight Formation Flight 3:45-4:15PM
Aerobatic Flight Display 4:15-5:00PM
Paragliding Exhibition 5:00-5:30PM
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow 5:30-6:00PM

Tickets are priced at PHP150. It will be available at the gate. you may also order in advance by calling the PIHABF office at +63 2 384-0085, or through mobile number: +63 927 340-4994.

Tickets are also available via TicketNet and from Recreational Outdoor eXchange
(ROX) in Bonifacio High Street.

One Day – A PiPho Year-ender Event
Photography Exhibit & On-the-Spot Photo Contest
Date: November 28, 2009
Event details and venue: Will be announced separately

Please pre-register for the Event ID / Permit. (First 300 only).
Event ID / Permit will be issued on the event date @ 6AM.

Registration is FREE. Register here http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=57733.0

National Book Store Foundation and Black Pencil Project is proud to announce the return of Project Aral 2 in all National Book Stores nationwide for the young victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

Its this easy to help.

• Purchase P20 or P25 study kits at any National Book Store.
• Put your name on the tag and drop them in the boxes provided.

Amateur photographers are invited to enter the Angels & Demons Award with up to four images that capture the essence of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Any combination of four images can be uploaded (i.e. all four images of earth, three of air and one water, two air and two fire, etc. – it’s entirely up to you).

Images can be simple snapshots from home or more sophisticated exterior photographs from exotic corners of the world. Again, it is your choice.

1 grand prize for the best overall photograph, plus 4 prizes for the best photograph submitted for each element category.

The winner of the Grand Prize award* will receive:
1. Round trip tickets for 2 to Rome
2. 2 nights accommodation at the St. Regis Grand Hotel Rome for 2 people (includes breakfast)
3. Private, customised, 4 hour Angels & Demons tour for 2 (with English speaking guide)
4. Map of Illuminati
5. Entrance to Castel Sant’Angelo for 2
6. Fully comprehensive travel insurance for 2
7. Sony DSLRA200K camera

For more details and to join this contest, log-on to www.worldphotographyawards.org/AngelsandDemons/

Doors open 1pm, Oct. 17, 2009 at Lomographic Embassy Of Manila, 146B Jupiter St., Bel-air Makati City. First come, first served. Save a seat. Register at lomoembassy@teammanila.com before Oct. 14.

Monroe Harbor is located in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is the home of the Chicago Yacht Club and Columbia Yacht Club. I love walking around this place because of the scenic view of the Chicago skyline and of Lake Michigan. Navy Pier can also be scene at the other side of the river banks. I took this shot around 5 in the morning with my friends who are also into photography.

Tech Details: Manual Exposure | 3.2 sec | F9.0 | ISO 100 | 11mm

Celebrate LIFE’S WONDERFUL UNGUARDED MOMENTS with the perfect exposure.

Join Epson’s “The Unguarded Moment” Photography Contest and get a chance to win cash, printers and a chance to represent the country in the international finals to be held in Japan!

The deadline for this photo contest is extended until October 28, 2009! (As approved by DTI-NCR)

The following prizes are at stake for the winners in the Philippines:

* Grand Prize: PHP20,000 and Epson Stylus TX700W
* Runner-Up: (Two winners): PHP5,000 and Epson Photo R230
* Top 17 Entries: PHP1,000

For more details visit www.epson.com.ph

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is home to the Grant Park Music Festival and other free concerts and events. It was named in memory of Chicago business leader Jay Pritzker, who with his wife Cindy, established the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1979.dth