Mountain | Sea Of Clouds From The Summit Of Mt Mabilog

MOUNTAIN | Sea Of Clouds from The Summit Of Mt Mabilog

Mountain Views from Mt Mabilog

Not all Mountains would have a 360 degree view where you can expect to witness Sunset and Sunrise spectacles in an overnight camp. Some summits view would be blocked by perhaps another mountain, some would look like a glen or garden, some covered in thick forest of trees, one can't really compare one Mountain to another no matter how similar the trails and challenges they present. 

Golden Hour Sunrise from the Summit of Mt Mabilog, overlooking the Holy and Devils mountains Mt Banahaw and Mt Cristobal. Below on the left side in the clearing of fog, can be seen Lake Pandin. 

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Mountain | Sunset Photos While Climbing Mt Gulugod Baboy

MOUNTAIN | Sunset Photos While Climbing Mt Gulugod Baboy

The first mountain for me to climb, and glad I did one Saturday afternoon in the middle of February. I've read about just every niceties you can attribute to the lovely summit of Mt Gulugod Baboy, its sinuous landscape providing a 360 degree views of the surrounding terrain which is mostly bodies of water and rolling peaks of mountains, it also means that the place offers a beautiful view of the Sunset and Sunrise from opposite direction so it a perfect campsite to experience outdoors.

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Pangasinan | Sunrise Photos From Lucap Wharf

PANGASINAN | Sunrise Photos From Lucap Wharf
Looking At Hundred Islands From Afar

While sunrise or sunset photos are a staple for photographers on the road, it's not exactly the sun that they are after. It's the dramatic change in colors and hues in the horizon during the break of dawn or setting sun. The sun projects a horizontal light which can sometimes be at eye level with the photographer, it does well in casting shadows, and bathing everything in sight in throes of different shades and colors. It's the time of the day when light is naturally saturated in colors.

While I mentioned that its not the sun that photographers are after. Composing a great Sunrise or Sunset photos are a challenge for composition. The first and obvious trick is for the photographer to realise that the sun is not the central focus here, it is merely the source of ambient light. Like many landscape photographs, finding a great foreground and subject also works here.

What is there to look out for when capturing the sun, is the rays that it cast. Shadows on cloudy horizon can make your pictures less boring or the sun's reflection over the water. The changing temperatures from cold to warm also works wonders even when you are shooting on the same spot, you'll get a different photograph altogether.

In ambient light, this photo looks cold. In different hues of blue and the boats shadows making up for a good foreground over the waters, with the horizon in shades of purple.

Capturing the sun's reflection in the water, is probably the only exception to the rule of thirds. This type of setting can allow you to put the horizon of the subject in the center while keeping the interest in the photo. In this photograph, I waited for that moment when the slow moving boat would make contact with sun's reflection in the water. To capture movement and direction, I decided on the last second to pan the photo a little to the right so as to capture the water ripples that the boat leaves behind.

Capturing silhouettes and shadows is another trick that can be done. Silhouttes give your photo that boost of drama. I have many jump shot photos where the subject is hidden in shadows. Placing the focus in front of the light source does the trick, you just have to look out for the shapes making sure that it is interesting.

A change in temperature can change a lot. See that the foreground in this photo is the same as the first photo, but this time the sun is already peeking in the horizon, casting warm light. As it does, the shadows intensified, making the corners of the photo darker but still capturing shadows.

Since I am using a kitlens, the maximum zoom in still allows the chance to capture distant movement. Though movement depends on the location itself, this photo shows the different hues in the sky, while the people on the boat cast a perfect shadow, the trails in the water provides a sense of direction.

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, True Explorer...

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No pictures should be downloaded or copied without permission from the blogger.

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Zambales | Golden Hour Photos From Zambales

ZAMBALES | Golden Hour Photos From Zambales


“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs.
When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”  - Ansel Adams

Experiencing Golden hours when I travel is not very common. Some people may refer to it as Magic Hour describing the first or last hours on Sunrise or Sunset. But on my experience, there are certain situations that may differ a Magic hour from another, hence, I use colors to describe them.

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El Nido | Sunset Photos from El Nido

EL NIDO | Sunset Photos from El Nido

A trip to El Nido is always wrought with unforgettable memories. Though I've been there only twice, every corner and islands that I have seen and explored has an imprint of images in my mind. It's my setting for the perfect tropical paradise, no doubt knowing that it was an inspiration to a famous movie all beach lovers should know "The Beach". 

These collections of sunset photos were taken on my last year’s trip to El Nido. Though I promised in my travel blog that I will post them, after editing most of the photos collected in my 5 day backpacking trip, I can't get myself to share most of it. For one thing, El Nido is a backpackers haven so I would expect that a lot of people would have far more amazing captures than I did, also it is personal, just looking at the photos I brought home makes me feel proud so maybe you could understand why I'm being selfish by checking the photos I'm sharing today.

One of the last photos I took for this memorable day. I've been watching and photographing this Sunset for an hour now, though I've seen the best when the sun was already below the horizon. But the final rays of yellow light didn't disappoint as it hit the cloud formations covering the entire town.

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Calaguas | Golden Hour Sunset Photos

CALAGUAS | Golden Hour Sunset Photos 

A true sunset, notice that there are a lot of colors rolled into this photo. Making this my favorite from this collection, I like the streaks of red in the clouds, the shadows marking the boat, and there's light reflected by the water on its side.

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Pangasinan | Sunset Photos From Patar Beach, Bolinao

PANGASINAN | Sunset Photos From Patar Beach, Bolinao
Bolinao Pangasinan Golden Hour

It has been an amazing trip, first time to be in the Province of Pangasinan. Of clear skies and endless coastal areas, at the end every eventful day I was here, I was left tired and seeking for the cold caress of a beer and a warm bed. So yet again, like any other beaches or places I've photographed during Sunset, this was yet another Sunset photo of a one lazy afternoon by the beach.

My attempts at long exposures, this was the last vestige of dusk. It was already too dark that finding a distant light in the horizon is difficult for the camera. I got this one shot, and my camera wouldn't release another if I don't punch up the ISO levels.

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Islas de Gigantes | Sunrise On Rain Clouds

ISLAS DE GIGANTES | Sunrise On Rain Clouds

Sunrise Photographs From The Vantage View Of Gigantes Norte Lighthouse

Known as a place of beautiful group of islands in the Eastern Seaboard of Panay, Isla de Gigantes is hardly the place for where people flock to witness a stunning Sunrise or Sunset. Why should it be? Its foremost offering of back to basics trips and island hopping is more than enough as a source of distraction to visitors flocking into its shores. Who knows that finding the spot for this type of photography endeavor is as easy? It was as simple as asking a local who knows and understands the place better.

I am yet to write my own feature post about these islands, right before some big shot travel blogger friends gets their hands on these. Believe me when I say I've scoured Google for travel guides and photographs that can help me plan the trip, travel guides are fairly easy to come by, what of the many blogger's who rant about the scenic specialness of the place. But finding photographs shot in fair and meticulous manner is hard to come by. I tend to forget that people nowadays have easy access to camera that they can take personal photos wherever they go. I barely found photos that are good enough as a presentation of this place, the few good ones are from travel blogger's that I am already following because of the trail of great photography they provide. My hats off to them! More so, there are only a few Sunrise or Sunset photos that is tagged to the place, and this gave me the determination to make it, this type of lights display come to us almost everyday in this tropical country and I am just one of those that appreciate it very much.

Since my arrival 2 days ago, from the time I took these photos. I've walked to the shores on every Sunset, and woke up early for before the veil of the Sunrise, waddled through knee deep low tides along the mangrove areas near the Gigantes Hideaway Resort, finding the perfect spot while chasing the Golden Hour without finding good luck on a good shot. I was in a wrong place, period.

I came to take photographs and was feeling left out that all I might be able to bring home are photos of the islands shot in broad daylight during the Island hopping excursion. I've been to a lot of Island Hopping trips, though it remains my favorite kind of tour, I was looking for something different, and then I found just the place. I was with my brother, and we were on our second day on Gigantes Norte, before taking breakfast I was ask by my guide if I would like to visit the Gigantes Norte Lighthouse. I didn't know there was a lighthouse in here, so I didn't pass out the opportunity to take a look, and so it came as an unexpected surprise.

Already I've wasted the Golden Sunrise raking through muck in the mangrove area just to get a picture of Sunrise with good composition. The sun was fairly high and heating up the area fast when we arrived in the Lighthouse. I didn't expect the location in the lighthouse to be a good spot. But there it was, facing the East on a high rocky cliff, the new medium size Iron Lighthouse in stark amalgamation to the old house of red bricks and adobe beside it. I was having a great time then, as I stood on top of the tower, taking the scenic view at 360 degrees. Not until I was reminded by Kuya Marnie, the habal-habal driver that I still need to take breakfast before the island hopping so I had to take my leave, but not before leaving a promise to be back here the next day before the Sunrise. Sunset is out of the question, as it would be spectacular on the other side of the island dipping in the western horizon, the sky blocked by the limestone rocks and mountains of the Island. I'll be blogging the lighthouse and the photos with it in another post.

Hence my final day for this trip came. And I woke up at 4:30 AM, leaving my brother behind who wants to catch more sleep. Kuya Marnie thought I was joking when I requested to come back to the Lighthouse on Sunrise instead. I was literally the first guest to wake up, and was alone waiting in their Habal-habal gathering area. Every driver is probably sound asleep in their chambers. Every minutes wasted, leaves me feeling frenetic, luckily he came about 30 minutes later, looking embarrassed that I was up early and he wasn't. I didn't want to ruin my day, so without further delay I took the ride when the sky is already lightening, and the rainbow colors are splashing in the sky. It was ominous, the cold morning air is different and there is a threat of dark rain clouds gathering, I was crossing my hands all the time, luckily the lighthouse isn't very far. 

Getting there just in time, alone because the Lighthouse caretaker is nowhere to be found (probably still sleeping), and Kuya Marnie left me on my own device as he needs to fetch the other guest who also intends to visit here. Mounting my tripod, taking photos of the lighthouse behind interesting cloud formations reflecting purple and lavender colors, while waiting for the dark clouds to provide a good backdrop on the peeking Sun. I wasn't so lucky, the clouds covered most of the area in a span of an hour, placing dark shades in every frame I took, the only consolation I have is that the horizon above the water remains that of the Golden Hour Light, casting glorious colors of red, orange and yellows, while the break in the clouds provide lots of shades of blue. When the pea size rain water fell, I turned everything around, deciding to take photos of the clouds and the distant shadows of the islet nearby, it looks ominous, like the first drop of rain in a dry summer, it was full of promise. Looking at these photographs, blaming myself for not doing a better job at editing the photos, the good memories adhere with them, and it probably was what made it all worth it.

On The Map

Isla de Gigantes group of islands comprises mainly of Gigante Norte and Gigante Sur as its major volcanic islands with scattering of islets around it. Located in the western part of the Visayan Sea and approximately 18 kilometers Northeast off the mainland of Panay. The islands belong to the political domain of Municipality of Carles, Iloilo Province.

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, True Explorer...

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No pictures should be downloaded or copied without permission from the blogger.

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Interesting Landscapes With Cloud Formations Part II

Interesting Landscapes With Cloud Formations
A Collection Of Photos From Various Destinations In The Philippines
Part II


A continuation of Landscape photos made interesting because of Clouds formations.
Click here to see Part I

Cloudy Cordillera Sky
Municipality of Tanudan, Kalinga

Old And Imposing
Basilica de San Martin de Tours
Municipality of Taal, Batangas

Bantayan In My Dreams
Bantayan Island
Municipality of Bantayan, Cebu

Cadlao's Peak
The Rocky Beach of Calaan
Municipality of El Nido, Palawan

A Giants Missing Shoe
Sabitang Laya Island, Caramoan Peninsula
Municipality of Caramoan, Camarines Sur

The Monsoon Has Arrived
Laiya Beach
Municipality of San Juan, Batangas

Rain Falling On The Islets
Rocky Islets of Diguisit Bay

Municipality of Baler, Aurora

Of Greenland And Turquoise Waters
Mahabang Buhangin Beach, Tinaga Island
Calaguas Group of Islands, Camarines Norte

The Way To The Sky
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Trekking Mt Manalmon
Municipality of San Miguel, Bulacan

Home Of The Biggest Church Bell In Asia
Santa Monica Parochial Church
Municipality of Pan-ay, Capiz

The Waves, The Sun And The Rocks
Bolinao Rock Formations
Municipality of Bolinao, Pangasinan

Looking Down From The Abys Of Heavens
Climbing Mt Timbak, The 3rd Highest Mountain in Luzon
Municipality of Atok, Benguet

The Halsema Highway Sunset
Municipality of Atok, Benguet

Sunset Of Fire And Ice, And Something In Between
,Liw-liwa, San Felipe Beach
Municipality of San Felipe, Zambales

Gone But Not Forgotten
The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
Municipality of Nagcarlan, Laguna

Mountains Of The Gods
The Holy Mountain of Mt Banahaw and The Devils Mountain of Mt Cristobal
Camping In The Summit of Mt Mabilog
San Pablo City, Laguna

Fabled and Pristine
Pandin of Laguna's Twin Lake
Lake Pandin, San Pablo City, Laguna


Wanna Go Back to Part I of this collection
CLICK HERE

Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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Pala-lagaw reserves the right for any watermarked pictures posted

No pictures should be downloaded or copied without permission from the blogger.

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