Sunrise... Sunset... Warm thoughts... (prologue)

[®andyA]

After reading some great posts and viewing some really beautiful shots from everyone, I decided to stop being a lurker and share some recent vacation pics. Now, granted, I'm no photo genious, artistic pro, or P-J wannabee ) so bear with me on some of my inconsistencies and mistakes. But hopefully they are enough to contribute to the general theme and feeling of ... well ... I was relaxing so maybe you'll get that feeling...

Background: I went to Philippines back in early Feb as part of a volunteer medical charitable group function to help some of the poor with medical needs. The "mission" this year was at an Island (Boracay Island, Philippines) which happens to be a big tourist spot because of the beach and resorts. Interestingly, once you go behind the resort hotels you see the poor conditions and understand why they needed medical help.

But with that behind me, now let's get on with the pics... (bear with me as I load them up individually)

Randy

[®andyA]

... over the beach. I actually locked the focus and exposure on the beach and raised up the camera to the sky to take the shot.

[®andyA]

... but this time I locked the focus onto the sky. As you'd expect the exposure turned out differently. Very pretty though imho...

[®andyA]

... later that night. Much the same view, though looking a little more towards the sea and not so much onto the hills.

[®andyA]

... sunset, but this time I tried to get one of those pretty "sun setting on the water" shots. I thought it worked ok.

[®andyA]

... that I figured I'd take another. Seems my Canon S30 was takin' some cool shots.

[®andyA]

... shots later I decided to move the view over towards the northern part of the beach. I thought the wisp of cloud was an interesting subject so I took this pic. (uhh... sorry about the people being in the way... kinda hard to get people to move on a busy beach ;) )

[®andyA]

... but this time a little farther out towards the water. Luckily after a few minutes of waiting, some of the people moved.

[®andyA]

I took this one at one of the resort hotels where we had dinner. I forgot to mention on the previous pic that I cropped out a lot of the sand on the beach. On this one I cropped out some of the sky and water to give it a pseudo-panoramic look.

[®andyA]

... at the beach I used one of those disposable Kodak Advantix film cameras to take with me when I went on a short boat tour. In hind sight, I should've brought my S30, but at the time I didn't feel like taking that risk. Oh well... Here's pic of a neat little secluded beach setion on the far north tip of the Island.

[®andyA]

... a couple shots I took just for fun really. I really didn't expect the pic to look so pretty when I took it. I just thought it was a cool view, but the result surprised me.

[®andyA]

... ok, I didn't mean to have the other pics fall under the previous post... Oh well. Please don't hesistate to make comments on technique, exposure, view, what-have-you. I know I'm not good so any & all tips are good tips.

Thanks for viewing.

Randy

[megan]

I like the quote in your footer. That Gandalf quote really stood out for me as well when I read LOTR.

Megan

[megan]

Now that I've actually looked at the photos and gotten over admiring your footer...

I wish I was on the beach. The colors are fantastic.
Thanks for the little bit of warmth as I sit here in NY in my sweater!

Megan

[®andyA]

Now that I've actually looked at the photos and gotten over admiring your footer...

I wish I was on the beach. The colors are fantastic.
Thanks for the little bit of warmth as I sit here in NY in my sweater!

Megan

I'm glad they helped warm the atmosphere for you Megan! ... Yeah, the Gandalf quote first struck me too when I saw LOTR:FotR, and I actually didn't start reading the books until recently when I finally saw RotK. So I'm gaining more appreciation for the efforts that the moviemakers put forth to create the movies.

Randy

[stew]

I like the quote in your footer. That Gandalf quote really stood out for me as well when I read LOTR.

Megan

me too. i had this written across the top of my bathroom mirror for a long time, so i saw it in the mornings. this line is one of the best in the series, imho.

a girlfriend who lived with me for a short while, never commented on it, then saw the movie with me for the first time. a couple days later, she asks if that line was gandalf's from the movie. guess it struck her too.

i think i'll put it back up on the mirror. thanks.

and great pics too! i hope to go to southeast asia this fall, and experience similar views...

[jekl]

Very nice and warm pictures. I like them a lot.
Good to see, because when I look out of my window, all I see in snow!

[®andyA]

I'm glad the pics provided great warmth. Luckily, it's supposed to reach +50°F this weekend in MI... woohoo!

Randy