Great Comment! :)

It really feels good when your image is appreciated by a photographer that you look up to.  So imagine my surprise and happiness when I saw this comment by Shotslot on one of my Flickr images below:

Check out Shotslot's photoblog at http://www.shotslot.net/

OH NO!!! :(

OH NO!!!, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

What to do!? Can this error still be fixed? Or will I be forced to buy a D7000 now? Hmm, not a bad thing... If I only have the money for it hehe :)

But seriously, can this still be fixed? Hopefully... :(

The Mabuhay Manor Sponsored Photoshoot

Last Feb. 26th, we were invited to participate in a photoshoot at The Mabuhay Manor. Afterwards, our photos were submitted and winners were selected among the entries for 3 categories: Manor, Food and Collage.

Two of my pictures won 3rd place in the Manor and Collage categories. My wife won 2nd place in the Collage category as well.

Here are my winning entries:

Israel Vinuya - Manor - 01, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Israel Vinuya - Poster - 03, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Here are the rest of my entries for each categories:

Mabuhay Manor Photoshoot, a set on Flickr.

Thanks to our fellow Nikon Club Philippines member, Allan Benolarao, for inviting us and to the generosity of Sir Dennis Sebastian for giving us the VIP treatment throughout the day!

Trip to Tagaytay

Yesterday was a great day for our family at Tagaytay. Family bonding, R&R and fun all day! Here are some of my shots during our stay there:


City of Tagaytay Flag, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Tagaytay: Picnic Grove, a set on Flickr.

I, Bear

I, Bear, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

My wife gave me this bear during our stopover at Mc Donald's on our way to the family outing in Tagaytay. Thanks Hun!

My Latest Toy :)

Samsung GALAXY mini, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

I've been a long time user of Apple's iPod touch and I'm very satisfied with the iOS. But I've heard so many good things about Google's Android and I can't wait to try it out.

Recently, I've read an article that Apple sued Samsung over its Galaxy phones and tablets.  I'm not taking sides but this is good publicity for Galaxy.  Let's just wait and see what the outcome will be.

ToyFare

ToyFare, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Last Tuesday I was able to buy three ToyFare mags at Book Sale for only P135 each. Good deal!

Who lurks in the night...

Who lurks in the night..., a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Batman is my all-time favorite superhero!  BTW, I also have a Batman-related Tumblr site. Please check it out at: http://minionofthebat.tumblr.com

Time to Pan!

This morning, our car's engine support gave out.  So instead of heading towards our destination, we headed towards the nearest repair shop.  The shop is near the road so there was a steady stream of cars. So I decided to practice my panning shot.  I've always loved the look of a good panning shot but I've never taken a good one. Well, I think my shots are better now but still has a lot to improve. So without a further ado, here are some of my humble attempts at panning shots:

Passenger Jeepney, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Tricycle, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Suzuki Celerio, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

The Golden Hour

Ask any photographer what time would be the best time to take dramatic pictures and they would unanimously answer without hesitation -- the Golden Hour.  I'm also not that familiar with this Golden Hour concept until last year during our trip to Boracay.  During that time, I began to appreciate what is so golden about those hours after the sun sets.

Here are some of my favorite shots:

glorious sunset!, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

now, that's a sunset!, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

at the end of the day, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

More pix after the jump...

Sharkey

Sharkey, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Souvenir from the Manila Ocean Park.

Plants vs. Zombies

Plant vs..., a photo by israelv on Flickr.

without the Zombies :)

Japanese Bunny

I borrowed this Japanese Bunny (which was given by a Japanese friend) from my niece, Trish, and I took a picture of it from way back in Sept. 19, 2010:


Japanese Bunny, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

So imagine my surprise when I saw this similar-looking bunny from a picture taken after the big earthquake that hit Japan last month:

Toy Sandtimer

DAY 6 - The Sandtimer, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

For some reason, the sandtimer fascinates me. I remember that my first sandtimer was the one that came free with Boggle but it was long gone. So when I saw this toy sandtimer at a Japan budget store, I wasted no time and bought it right away.

Reminiscing Astro Boy...

DAY 8 - Astro Boy, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

One of my fondest memories as a kid was during those times when our parents would drop us off our Grandparents' house to stay over the weekend. My Grandma, whom we all fondly call Nanay, would then fix me up a pandesal w/ scrambled eggs along with a hot cup of Milo while I relax and watch the latest episode of Astro Boy. Those were the good old days!

HULK SMASH!!!

I really enjoy collecting action figures so much, that I even collect some of McDonald's Happy Meal toys.

One of their most recent toy line is the Marvel Super Heroes action figures. Although the rest of the action figures are rather so-so, there is one exception -- the Hulk action figure. It's bigger and heavier than the rest and is chock full of intensity. Here's a shot of him in all his full, green, glory...


DAY 20 - HULK SMASH!!!, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

WALL·E is doing facebook

DAY 10 - WALL·E is online!, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

WALL·E is my all-time favorite Disney/Pixar CG animated film so I gotta have its action figure.

Here, I've taken a shot of WALL·E while he's checking out my facebook profile :)

Berzerker Barrage!!!

Berzerker Barrage!!!, a photo by israelv on Flickr.

Here's a picture of my first ever Wolverine bust.  My good friend Alvin saw this at an auction at Yahoo Japan and he informed me about it.  He made a bid and eventually won it.  After waiting for several weeks, I finally received it.  It has great detail and has a great likeness of Hugh Jackman from X-Men 3.  The movie was so-so but this bust is awesome!

Check out some more shots here:

X-Men: The Last Stand Wolverine Bust, a set on Flickr.