#165 Just Go with the Flow

Just go with the flow.


We waited five years to return to the Hungduan terraces in Hapao, to photograph it at the first light of dawn. And to make sure we catch those first rays... we decided to spend the night in a house along the Chico river, right in the heart of the terraces itself, and mere steps away from our sunrise point. Now all we needed to do was to get up at the right time, since we're already in the right place. Sounds easy enough.


But when dawn approached, the sun couldn't break through the clouds on the horizon (sigh.) And even if it did, there was this huge mountain in the way (sigh.) And it even drizzled (sigh.) I'd throw in the towel, except I'd come too far to be defeated. But wait. Aren't we beside a raging river? A few moments later, photographing something new taught me more than a familiar but disappointing dawn: just go with the flow dude, just go with the flow.  Enjoy.

(Pixel-peepers: Dim light at twilight means slow shutter speeds, which was just perfect for photographing fast-moving water, if we are to transform each splash and flow into wispy white water. Couple a small aperture like f/8 with a steady tripod, with the speed set to 1/4 of a second or slower depending on the speed of the water, can create what you see above.) 

Sign-up to receive new postcards weekly by email 

Past postcards at www.PostcardsFromManila.com

Say hello: Bobbyw59@yahoo.com

But wait, there's more...

For those who've inquired about buying prints of my postcards, you may purchase them directly from master printmaker Arnel Murillo (murilloarnel@yahoo.com), one of the country's foremost fine-art printmakers.  Arnel uses archival inks and museum-grade paper to ensure his prints will not fade. You will not be disappointed. (All my images are provided gratis to help showcase the beauty of our country. But if you feel generous, help me uplift the lives of the Children of Payatas.  No donation is too big or too small. Get in touch with Fr. Aldrin Suan at aldrinsuan@yahoo.com of the Vincentian Missionaries in the Philippines. As always, thanks and enjoy.)