It seems like a long time since I last posted a photo - not enough time before work and it's dark after work so I just haven't gotten much shot over the last month. So I decided to post a photo I shot back in November that I never got around to processing until today. It's the Denver lightrail down by the convention center.

(Also known as the workshop that became a concert...if only the camera is the microphone and shooting is equal to singing.)

Buenas Dias!

I did not expect Zamboanga would embrace our visit this much. The plan originally was to hold a basic workshop, something which I have already done countless times. But my nearly two-weeks visit to this beautiful city ended up something more. In all honesty, I really did feel like a rockstar. So, this is how it feels.

I arrived there expecting normal courtesy calls since the workshop formed part of an event the city government has planned. But by the end of my visit, since my photos (mug shot?) had been on their newspaper headlines a couple of times, posters of the workshop has been splattered all over the city with our names on it, and ABS-CBN Zamboanga did an interview of me --- people started recognizing me in the streets. Before I left for Manila, I was in this store buying something and the cashier asked in their local dialect if I was Parc Cruz, the guy in the newspaper. Thankfully, it was a headline I won't be ashamed to share to my family. I didn't do any crime...this time. Hehe.

Thanks to Richard Galande, my tour guide and organizer and to JV Faustino the co-organizer. Great job guys! Till my next visit.

Thanks to the hospitable people of Zamboanga City:

City Gov't of Zamboanga:
Mayor Celso Lobregat
Vice Mayor Mannix Dalipe
- The Mayor gave me the Chabacano dictionary. I will be learning it for my next trip back. My favorite phrase right now is "Come ya kita". Or LeT'S EAT!

Brgy. Taluksangay:
Councilor Gerky Valesco - Chairman Committee of Tourism
Co-organizer Councilor Amman Nuño and wife Councilor Lilia Nuño.
- They gave me all-access to their community. I was told that since its a sacred place, non locals can just enter it. I'm really very honored and grateful for this opportunity.

Alfred C. Lim
- Gen. Manager, Astoria Printing & Publishing
Daniel Y. Lim
- Gen. Manager, Grand Astoria Hotel (where I stayed, beautiful place!)
Dante Corteza
- for providing more information about my visit.

Thanks to our sponsors:

CANON
PEPSI
SMART COMMUNICATION
Grand Astoria Hotel
Astoria Regency
Southway Square Mall
LIN Manpower Technology Inc.
Corazon Y. Lim
PRG Photoshop
DP Online Store
Sigma
Safety Enterprises
Unique Motors
FotoSpeed
www.Filters-Exchange.com
Aldea Photo
CoolSport Shop
Zamboanga Today

Here are some photos. Unfortunately, I won't be able to post a lot of what I took because it's going to be used for projects we're doing for Zamboanga.

The challenge was to present Zamboanga as a beautiful and peaceful city. Yes, Manilenos and those who have yet to see this place, it's a great place to visit. Muslims and Christians --- there isn't any distinction for me. Although I did notice a lot of Chinese descendants among the locals. That somehow felt closer to home.

Zamboanga is a place with plenty of smiling, friendly faces. Life there is really simple and quiet.

Posted Thursday, January 8, 2009

It would be fair to say that I don't like this anywhere near as much as the last one I posted, but I am reasonably pleased with it (and don't have anything else to post).

Fortunately though my good friend Craig is coming up on Friday, and we're going to spend most of the weekend out shooting. I'm really looking forward to it, not least because it's been ages since I went out shooting with anyone else. Also, we're going to visit a couple of places I haven't visited before, so I should be able to get at least one or two interesting shots :)

captured camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter cropped?

3.16pm on 31/12/08 Canon 1Ds Mark II EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM 51mm f/2.8 1/800 aperture priority +1/3 evaluative 100 no RAW ACR no

We had a few hours of blue sky in Toronto which was nice. This is the new building they're making at Distillery District.
... Voting for 2008 Weblog Awards for best Photoblog will continue until the 13th (next Tuesday). If you want to vote, you can do so once every 24 hours by following this link. Being nominated alongside two of my favourite sites of all time; The Big Picture and Strobist; is a great honour. The nominees list also reminded me of the always excellent The Online Photographer which I spent many hours reading in the last few days alone. Check out all the nominees, there are some amazing stuff there.

Bridal Fashion for Sabine Valente.
Shot in Milan, Italy.

Model. Linda
Hair/Makeup. Ela

An early morning at Sennon Cove at Lands End, Cornwall

Bones of a dead horse, left on the field to rot after being given the electric shocks

2008 is almost over and it's time for a short review. As you might remember I quit my job  in March 2008. I worked as a financial controller (business administration) for about 8 years and finally found it too boring to do it for the rest of my life. After this big step I went to school for half a year and took lessons in print and web design. Besides to that I worked as a photographer  doing business portraits, wedding etc. From now on I'll be working as a webdesigner and photographer. Furthermore, I plan to start my own business in the sector of fine art prints (with photos/paintings from various artists, not only my own photos).

Looking back, I am really happy about the decision I took. So this is my advice for you for 2009: If you don't like your job and you want to do something different, just do it. It's possible if you really want it. As Mr. Obama would say: Yes, we can. :)

I wish you all a great year 2009. Take care! See ya!

Matthias

Merry christmas to everyone who celebrates it. seasons greetings to everyone who celebrates something else or just uses it as a good excuse for a party. Happy and prosperous new year to everyone! This is one of my favourate pictures, although it was shot in April it has that winter feel to it with the low strong sunlight and the subject, of course, the Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus, for those who prefer latin), snapped at a range of 3 feet as I was returning to my car after shooting mute swans, he sat there and sang his heart out for a full 10 minutes while I took photos from a mere arms-length away.

I just want to wish a very happy Christmas to all the people who usually come here to see and comment my pictures.