Tips in Shooting Light Trails Timing/Light – one might think that the middle of the night is the best time for light trail photography (and it can be) – however one very effective time to do it is just as the sun is going down (just before and after). If you shoot at this time you’ll not only capture light from cars, but ambient light in the sky which can add atmosphere to your shots. You also might find that earlier in the evening you get a little more ‘action’ in your shot with more cars and even the movement of people through your shot. Creative Perspectives – some of the most effective light trail shots that I’ve taken and seen from others were taken from perspectives other than at the height of a normal person standing up. Get down low or find a place looking down on your scene that will create an unusual angle. Location – the most obvious thing with location is that you’ll need it to be somewhere near a road – however there’s more to think about than that. Choose a location that adds interest to the shot in some way. This might be one where there are well lit buildings along the road, one where multiple roads merge together to create light trails in different directions, on the bend of a road so that the trails sweep through the image, near a roundabout so the trails create circular shapes, in the middle of dual carriageways (on a triaffic island) so that you get traffic coming in two directions etc. Framing – the normal ‘rules’ of composition apply in this type of photography. Images need some sort of point/s of interest, the rule of thirds can be applied effectively, draw the eyes into your image using lines smartly, foregounds and backgrounds should add to and not distract from the image. Histogram – One thing to watch out for is letting any light source in your image (whether it be headlights, street lights etc) washing out your image. Lights that burn too bright can cause distractions and draw the eye of your viewer away from focal points – ruining your shot. One way to quickly check out if there’s any area in your shot that is overexposed to this degree is to view the histogram on your shot. If there are areas that are blown out you’ll have a graph with a right hand side that is too high on the graph. Learn more about histograms here. Choose a low ISO setting - this will give you images with as little noise as possible. Shoot in RAW if you have it - this will enable you to have more control in your post production work – particularly in getting white balance right (something that can be important as you’re shooting in a situation with lots of artificial light that can cause all kinds of color casts in your shot). Manual Focus - In low light situations cameras can struggle to get focusing locked correctly. The last thing you want is for your camera to be in and out of focus just as you need to hit the shutter release. Switch to manual focus and make sure your focus is upon a part of your image that is visually strong.

Tips in Shooting Light Trails

Timing/Light – one might think that the middle of the night is the best time for light trail photography (and it can be) – however one very effective time to do it is just as the sun is going down (just before and after). If you shoot at this time you’ll not only capture light from cars, but ambient light in the sky which can add atmosphere to your shots. You also might find that earlier in the evening you get a little more ‘action’ in your shot with more cars and even the movement of people through your shot.

Creative Perspectives – some of the most effective light trail shots that I’ve taken and seen from others were taken from perspectives other than at the height of a normal person standing up. Get down low or find a place looking down on your scene that will create an unusual angle.

Location – the most obvious thing with location is that you’ll need it to be somewhere near a road – however there’s more to think about than that. Choose a location that adds interest to the shot in some way. This might be one where there are well lit buildings along the road, one where multiple roads merge together to create light trails in different directions, on the bend of a road so that the trails sweep through the image, near a roundabout so the trails create circular shapes, in the middle of dual carriageways (on a triaffic island) so that you get traffic coming in two directions etc.

Framing – the normal ‘rules’ of composition apply in this type of photography. Images need some sort of point/s of interest, the rule of thirds can be applied effectively, draw the eyes into your image using lines smartly, foregounds and backgrounds should add to and not distract from the image.

Histogram – One thing to watch out for is letting any light source in your image (whether it be headlights, street lights etc) washing out your image. Lights that burn too bright can cause distractions and draw the eye of your viewer away from focal points – ruining your shot. One way to quickly check out if there’s any area in your shot that is overexposed to this degree is to view the histogram on your shot. If there are areas that are blown out you’ll have a graph with a right hand side that is too high on the graph. Learn more about histograms here.

Choose a low ISO setting - this will give you images with as little noise as possible.

Shoot in RAW if you have it - this will enable you to have more control in your post production work – particularly in getting white balance right (something that can be important as you’re shooting in a situation with lots of artificial light that can cause all kinds of color casts in your shot).

Manual Focus - In low light situations cameras can struggle to get focusing locked correctly. The last thing you want is for your camera to be in and out of focus just as you need to hit the shutter release. Switch to manual focus and make sure your focus is upon a part of your image that is visually strong.
Sunset in Paradise.

Sunset in Paradise.

Shangri La Mactan, Cebu

Shangri La Mactan, Cebu

Calintaan Island, Matnog Sorsogon Bicol

Calintaan Island, Matnog Sorsogon Bicol

Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon Bicol

Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon Bicol

the pinkish white sand in Subic Beach, Calintaan Island Sorsogon Bicol Region

the pinkish white sand in Subic Beach, Calintaan Island Sorsogon Bicol Region

It’s Catwoman played by Anne Hathaway O__O *faints*

It’s Catwoman played by Anne Hathaway O__O *faints*

“Life is all about moments of impact. And how they change our lives forever. But what if one day, you could no longer remember any of them? That’s the thing about moments like these. No matter how hard you try to control, you just need to wait until the next collision — To have the patience that love demands.” thoughts on the movie… A point in our lives come when we are left behind by those people we care most. No matter how unfair it may sound but it does happen and it is unfair as it can get. Maybe because of our naive nature we try our best to win them back and no one can pull us out from that decision no matter how difficult it takes. “Everything that I fell in love with is still there.” -Leo Just as what Leo did for Paige he never loses that hope that she’ll someday remember how much she loves him but it did not play out as what he hope it would. The thing is once a person forget no matter how you try to make them remember *shower them with gifts, saying sweet words and doing everything that will make them feel your love* it won’t take any effect on them. “I hope one day I can love the way you love me.” -Paige The painful part here is that the love you’re showing them that makes you very happy would actually have an opposite effect on them because they will wonder why they can’t give back that kind of love. It’s actually just as harder on their part as much as it is harder on you. “How do you look at the woman you love, and tell yourself that its time to walk away?” -Leo The strongest message that the movie tries to convey is that you can’t bring things back to the way they were no matter how much you tried. Shy smile, awkward hugs, unfulfilled desires to kiss those lips again and the deafening silence is all that you’ll ever be treated with. If your love is really that strong then you’ll be left with a necessary hope that if you’re really meant to be then someday sparks will fly again. ― last movie I saw and thoughts filled after a warm milk and a refreshing midnight walk.

“Life is all about moments of impact. And how they change our lives forever. But what if one day, you could no longer remember any of them? That’s the thing about moments like these. No matter how hard you try to control, you just need to wait until the next collision — To have the patience that love demands.”

thoughts on the movie…

A point in our lives come when we are left behind by those people we care most. No matter how unfair it may sound but it does happen and it is unfair as it can get. Maybe because of our naive nature we try our best to win them back and no one can pull us out from that decision no matter how difficult it takes.

“Everything that I fell in love with is still there.”
-Leo

Just as what Leo did for Paige he never loses that hope that she’ll someday remember how much she loves him but it did not play out as what he hope it would.

The thing is once a person forget no matter how you try to make them remember *shower them with gifts, saying sweet words and doing everything that will make them feel your love* it won’t take any effect on them.

“I hope one day I can love the way you love me.”
-Paige

The painful part here is that the love you’re showing them that makes you very happy would actually have an opposite effect on them because they will wonder why they can’t give back that kind of love. It’s actually just as harder on their part as much as it is harder on you.

“How do you look at the woman you love, and tell yourself that its time to walk away?”
-Leo

The strongest message that the movie tries to convey is that you can’t bring things back to the way they were no matter how much you tried. Shy smile, awkward hugs, unfulfilled desires to kiss those lips again and the deafening silence is all that you’ll ever be treated with. If your love is really that strong then you’ll be left with a necessary hope that if you’re really meant to be then someday sparks will fly again.

― last movie I saw and thoughts filled after a warm milk and a refreshing midnight walk.

Life Lessons.

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them;

I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back;

I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I’ve learned that no matter how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take it’s place.

I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re downhill are the ones to help you get back up.

I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean that they don’t love you with all they have.

I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while.

I’ve learned that your family won’t always be there for you.

I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to forgive yourself.

I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
I’ve learned that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings and standing up for what you believe.

“The purest form of love is given with no expectation of return. Measured by this standard, earnest prayer for others is a magnificent act of love.”
David Hubbard

the sweet first 20 minutes.

“Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood.”
Paulo Coelho

A tearjerker song ♫♪ Remember me once in a while. If you’ll ever find a moment. Spare a thought for me. There will never be a day. When I won’t think of you. Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade. They have their seasons, so do we. But please promise me that sometimes … You will think of me ♫♪♫

You must love when it is given and cherish and protect it with everything you have. All to often we spend so much time looking at the faults and neglect what really matters. Loving someone is loving them more than you love yourself. To give without being asked and to forgive each day and start fresh. It’s laughing more than arguing and not taking for granted the little things and moments that you are given with someone.

Love does only come around once in awhile.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”
Toulouse Lautrec, Moulin Rouge