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This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

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February 13, 2009

nalasin: in pursuit of the light (tambobong, dasol)


The Outdoor Photographer
Buboy chasing the light in Nalasin

"I'm staying behind.", I declared as our group prepared to board the outrigger boats back to camp.

"Me too.", Buboy (a kindred soul) seconded the motion.

The rest of the group simply smiled and gave us that "here you go chasing the light again" and "you're both crazy" looks. But they know us too well to convince us otherwise, even Buboy's wife didn't utter a word of protest. So there they left us, on a shallow area the locals called Nalasin - a rock filled channel between two islands in Tambobong (Crocodile Island and Kabakungan).

We set up our gears in eerie silence, found our respective rocks (we love to do "rockscapes"), and waited for the right light.

Rock Towers
Nalasin sunset

I found my vantage point on top of a rock and stood there as if I was alone. No wind, no waves, no crickets even. It was just us, the peaceful sea, and the sky filled with the awesome colors of sunset.

Nalasin Twilight
Nalasin twilight colors

I'm not sure how long we stood transfixed on our chosen locations, taking photos and mesmerized by nature's display. The light was quickly changing and we didn't have the luxury of changing vantage points (I prescouted the location an hour or so before while we were on our way to Kabakungan cove on the other side of the island). Both of us were so engrossed with the scenery that we did not even spoke, not until we saw that the colors are fading and its was already time to go.

Pursuing the light does not come without challenges though. Now we have to cross another shallow channel (about waist deep while its low tide) to the mainland and hike several kilometers to our host's house, if we can find the trail. Or we can call our host and have him fetch us by banca. I took out my cellphone, the signal was strong, so... banca it is :).

Here I am while waiting for our ride home, almost 36 hours of no sleep (I was already awake at 5AM the previous day, travelled to Tambobong after work and went straight to shooting the sunrise and snorkeling in Balinmanok).

trying to look tough (photo by Buboy Eito)

And yes I look awful :D.

All that for just several minutes of colors? Well, yes. And why not? Its several minutes of beautiful colors some will not even witness in their lifetime.

And why the outdoors? Urban landscape can also be stunning, true, but there is something spiritual about the raw beauty of nature. What I feel can be best summed up by an excerpt from Landscapes of the Spirit (by William Neill):

"The beauty of nature motivates and inspires my photography. It nourishes my artistic sensibility and restores my spiritual balance. In landscapes of silent rock, reflecting water, and parting cloud, I feel most connected to myself and to life itself. In the clarity of wilderness light, my mind and my heart are soothed and uplifted by the serenity of Creation. These are landscapes of, and for, my spirit."

There are other little rewards too :)

#10

Notes:
I finally found out the official name for Crocodile Island: its Lagtaras Island. The area of Lagtaras and Kabakungan cove is officially known as Cainan Point. There is always a disparity between the official names and what the locals call the place. Its best to know the latter. Even the tourism websites sometimes don't refer to the places by their official names.
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Lantaw
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26 comments:

escape said...

ganda na naman ng mga kuha allan. you really deserve to be known for these photos.

congratulations ulit sa napiling photo sa outdoor photographer.

favorite in this set are photos 1 and 3.

Anonymous said...

This is an amazingly beautiful scene...just magnificent.

kegler747 said...

Uy, congrats! nafeature pa ang photo mo sa Outdoor Photographer. I know this is not the last time na mafifeature ang mga photos mo dun.

Anonymous said...

pano ba maging resident photographer ng outdoor photographer??? sana minsan sa aking layp e marecognize naman mga photos ko. haha. gudlak sakin.

Anonymous said...

Congrats for the nice shots!

Anonymous said...

wow! nice pics! and I discovered another great place in the philippines! :)

Marites said...

Agree, agree! the raw beauty of nature says it all..and I can understand the need to wait for the right light:) Did that several times hehehe! Parang baliw nga but it's all worth it. Love your pic!!

Anonymous said...

This is a cool cool place huh...I wish I could someday visit this one. You really did good photos of the scenes. Thanks for showing them.

Sidney said...

Wow... wonderful light... I understand your addiction to it !

lagal[og] said...

i agree, the light can be addicting. and i think losing sleep and waking up early do have their rewards. keep it up bai.

Lantaw said...

Dom, Skies, Carlo, JP, Sheng: Maraming salamat!

Grace - We are lucky to have so many great places here :)

Marites - Di bale nang baliw, basta may nice pics hehe

Sidney - its a good addiction hehe

Oggie - thanks bai! dami na nating adik sa ilaw haha

SandyCarlson said...

Thank you for creating these stunning images.

Catherine said...

Yes I love that sunset shot too...

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

there are so many nice places in the Philippines, I hope people specially the locals will keep it that way instead of seeing it as an opportunity to make more money, look what happen to Boracay?
Very nice photos!
MyWorldTuesday

Anonymous said...

You are so awesome!

Sukhipanna said...

Wow, Wow, Wow...that's what I have been uttering as I browse your photos!! How could you be an amateur photographer?? These photos are spectacular! It's my first visit here from the My World Tuesday's portal.

I am similar to you in the sense that I don't mind being left behind just to take beautiful shots.

Will be heading to Clark/Manila end of Feb. Hope to take some nice photos. Is there any specific location that you would recommend? I love those that you have taken. Wish my photos from the trip would turn out well. My trip is mainly to relax and take photos.

I will certainly be back for more visits to your blog!

Selamat!

Anonymous said...

Totally agree! I just love the outdoors. Lovely shots as always.

Anonymous said...

Spectacular pictures of breath taking locations! I'm at a loss for appropriate adjectives to do justice in describing the pictures :)

Great job!

Latane Barton said...

Unbelievable photographs. I enjoyed seeing them so much.

Gaelyn said...

Breathtaking! Certainly worth the wait, especially if you can call for a ride later. Great captures.

Lantaw said...

Thanks Sandy and Catherine!

FickleMinded, I hope so too! Boracay is indeed a great example (not sure about the "great" part) of how to OVERDO development

Thanks Jenn!

Lantaw said...

Sukhipanna - Thank you! You can never go wrong with sunsets in Manila Bay. If you are in Clark, why not trek to Mt. Pinatubo? :)

Nadia - Thank you!

W. Latane Barton , Glad to hear you enjoyed them, I enjoyed taking them too :)

Gaelyn, We were lucky they didn't started drinking yet (as they always do after a day's work), otherwise we wouldn't have any other option but to hike :). Thanks for the visit!

markfe said...

Hi! Ang gaganda po ng landscape photos nyo.
Your Daily Photo Depot
Healthy Lifestyle - MarkFe

Lantaw said...

Thanks Fhaye!

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

You're really inspiring me to go back to the Philippines and explore the country--something I haven't had the chance to do while I was living there! Shame on me! I should be punished and tossed into the fire!

Lantaw said...

jen, hahaha! come back here soon :)

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