My photography is simple in composition, more often emotional and dramatic, but easy on the eyes. Because of my orientation as a painter and artist, I view each capture as evocative scenes I want to brush on canvas. The changing header you see above are snippets of my life as a photojournalist all these years.
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” –Albert Einstein Captured this sight from a chopper in the middle of the sea in Legazpi, Albay Province, and wondered if this majestic relic was natural or manmade, and if it was ever ruined by forces of nature. My Salute to Nature album here
Rainbow Connection (with Mayon) © Jojie Alcantara 2010
“Look at children. Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside? Children don’t usually act in such a manner. If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished. They can still play with that person the following day.” ~ Dalai Lama XIV My baby Kameron and cousin Princess, with a new found friend at the People’s Park
“I feel as though I have lived many lives, experienced the heights and depths of each and like the waves of the ocean, never known rest. Throughout the years, I have looked always for the unusual, for the wonderful, for the mysteries at the heart of life.” ~Leni Riefenstahl
God in His wisdom made the fly And then forgot to tell us why. – – – Ogden Nash “The Fly” Jojie Alcantara, in the garden
This is me. I went into the wild. (Which does not explain why I was wearing an oversized shirt, pajamas and pink boots, and I am not about to). It all started after I have written an article about Agusan Marsh, including my disappointment not to have spotted a single crocodile. I received an email asking if I wanted to shoot crocodiles in their habitat. A person involved with a conservation organization for crocodiles invited me to shoot the reptiles up close before these endangered animals are to be released in the wild (part of their long term captive breeding and release program). He is a private crocodile farmer. Read the rest of my story here
I steal scenes. For first time visitors to my blog, photography has been a self-therapy all these years in moments of stress, anxiety or sadness. It allows me to be calmer, to stay in focus, to compose my thoughts, and to dream. When I take photos, I am lost in my own world. When I go back to reality, everything is more alive and filled with opportunities, compositions waiting to happen. Even with the ups and downs, I get a clearer picture of life. ~ Jojie Alcantara ~My photo taken on Feb 22, 2011 (strolling down White Sand Beach Resort, an ancestral property in San Ignacio, Manay, Davao Oriental). View more images of the Ferrandos’ white beach More information about me?
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” ~Angela Schwindt My one year old daughter, Kameron, at People’s Park
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” ~ John F. Kennedy Boracay Helicopter Tours, Philippines (2010) Photography, Jojie Alcantara Update: This image made it to the cover of Silkair, the inflight magazine of Silkwinds (Regional Wing of Singapore Airlines) this month of April 2014! Click for details
Shooting for a magazine can sometimes be hazardous to your health.
When I was in Cambodia for the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF 2011), I carried with me my unusual calling card. It’s bigger than your regular one. Makes quite a visual impact so they won’t forget you for a time. Notably because they find it hard to place it in a wallet or a pocket. (evil grin).
“Ten tiny little fingers that always want to play, That never stop exploring the wonder of today. Ten tiny little fingers that from the very start, Will reach out for tomorrow yet always hold your heart.” — Author Unknown My daughter, Kameron (one year and eight months old) People’s Park, Davao City Jojie Alcantara
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away.” ~Patricia Schultz, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Bayon Temple, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia Photography by Jojie Alcantara
During a week of stay in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2011), I woke up each dawn for two days just to capture its beautiful red sunrise from the Tonle Sap River by the Sisowath Quay, which was near my hotel.
“ “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” ~ Mother Teresa
“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” ~ Karen Ravn Kids in Punta Dumalag, Turtle Sanctuary, Davao City © Jojie Alcantara
“Many of us probably would be better fishermen if we did not spend so much time watching and waiting for the world to become perfect.” ~ Norman Maclean Fishermen at sea, captured on board a chopper over Legazpi City © Jojie Alcantara
“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” ~ James Matthew Barrie
“Do not be afraid to shine, This world needs what you have to give. Open up the areas of your being; Expose them to yourself – to others. You are valuable. You are unique. You have much to give. Do not be afraid to give it.” Excerpt from the poem, “Risk” By Fran Watson, 1987 This photo of a skimboarder in Dahican Beach, Mati, Davao Oriental was published in SeAir’s InFlight Magazine as one of the top ten hot destinations to visit the Philippines in 2011
“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” ~Joshua J. Marine Dahican surfing, Mati, Davao Oriental Photography, Jojie Alcantara * * * *
The Scene Stealer 