All posts tagged: photography

Decisive moments in photography

“Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera. That is the moment the photographer is creative, oop! The Moment! Once you miss it, it is gone forever.”

Finding Nimoy

Sunset in Dahican beach, Mati © Jojie Alcantara 2010 I AM CONVINCED I am convinced That if all mankind Could only gather together In one circle Arms on each other’s shoulders And dance, laugh and cry together Then much of the tension and burden of life Would fall away In the knowledge that We are all children Needing and wanting Each other’s Comfort and Understanding We are all children Searching for love” ― Leonard Nimoy, We Are All Children Searching for Love Leonard Nimoy was a well respected actor, artist, director, philanthropist, photographer, and poet. Though he had fleshed out a great iconic character called Spock seemingly devoid of feelings, the man behind it was actually a gentle individual filled with beautiful emotions which he turned into poetry. I have loved the simplicity of his words. His photography was a gift he has harnessed since his teenage years in the 40s. Nimoy will forever be in our hearts. Live long and prosper, Spock. His last tweet : “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments …

Finding Vivian Maier in me

When it comes to street and documentary photography, I am a huge fan of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Steve McCurry, and the enigmatic Vivian Maier. Watching her documentary Finding Vivian Maier was overwhelming for artists like me, inspiring yet saddening to be discovered posthumously. We are so moved by the stunning photography that this quiet, reclusive nanny has sprung upon us unsuspectingly. And yet, where now is the privacy she so wished until her end?

Vivian Maier’s works are gaining recognition worldwide, yet the artist isn’t there anymore to accept or decline her fame. This very private person who grew old alone and died alone suddenly has her life exposed to the world, a past she so mysteriously guarded when she was still alive.

Creative selfie

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

Light and shadow

“There are no shadows in darkness. Shadows are created by light, and only exist in the presence of light. Refusing to acknowledge our shadow leads us to deny the presence of light in us.” ― Franco Santoro

Light a small world

“No matter how small we are or what color we might be; Like a small candle, we all can produce the same light. Spread light with your thoughts, words and actions. It’s a dark world… and you are here to create light.”

Sleeping Dinosaur at Sunrise

When you visit Davao City and have enough time for a sudden road trip, try Mati City (3 hours away by private vehicle), my place of birth. Endowed with one of the longest and most beautiful white coastlines in Mindanao, Mati involves zigzagging through well-paved roads that snake up and down a cliff (locally called ‘Badas’) overlooking the deep blue sea.

Living in the moment

“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun.” ~ Unknown Nina from Germany, a returning tourist to Davao City Punta Dumalag © Jojie Alcantara