My First World Wide Photo Walk by Scott Kelby

Every year for the past two years, Scott Kelby is holding a world wide photo walk for all photographers to share images and build camaraderie. I have been anticipating this event since the last week of May. With the excitement I had that time, I signed-up right away on the first walk that I saw in Manila. It was the Sta Cruz leg. As days go by, more and more walks from the Philippine's came up. But they do get easily filled-up by photographers (hobbyists, amateurs and professionals alike).

Early this morning,  I make sure I got up early and prepare myself for my first photo walk. As I leave home, I went to Intramuros first to have breakfast at manang's. but their Fried Chicken is not yet available so I settled for their Lechon Kawali. After that hearty breakfast, I went to Sta Cruz to join the others who will be at the Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk. Our meeting place was at Plaza Arsenio H. Lacson in front of Plaza Fair. Since I got there early, I went to Sta Cruz Church first to give thanks and seek guidance from our Creator. Then I noticed some guys with cameras taking snaps. One approached me and asked me if I am also a part of the Sta. Cruz group. I said yes and the guy told me to join us. We waited for the rest to arrive before we had our pre-walk group hug photo.

I was able to meet new faces. But I noticed that some of them were quite young. Another thing is that some people I know online who were supposed to attend didn't show up. That made me think why. As the walk progresses. one thing I find odd was the route that we went through going to Binondo Church. Instead of going there via Ongpin, we went there via Escolta-Yuchengco. Still I was able to take pictures of the street itself as well as some people who live there. Good thing I had a shooting partner that time. She was also an alumna of MIT and just finished her Basic Photography Course at FPPF in Intramuros.

As we reached Binondo Church, I was surprised to see some of my supposed to be groupmates at the photowalk as well as our photowalk leader. Then I approach my photowalk leader to congratulate him for the successful walk. I saw the puzzled look in his face and then he asked me if I am with his group. I said yes then to my surprise, he asked my why I wasn't able to join him. Little did I know, I joined the wrong route as he told me that there is another group for that. I was in total shock and a little bit embarrassed at the same time but anyway, its all been done already. I was able to join the group hug of my original group and the group that I joined as well.

After the walk, my photo buddy and I had our lunch at one of the restaurants in Ongpin. Then we walked back to Sta Cruz Church via Escolta to take pictures of other parts that we have missed. Then we went inside an old museum. Even if its closed, the security guards opened it for us and we were able to take pictures of old memorabilia. I really enjoyed that day and I got really tired.

Here are some more pictures from the Wrong Walk. XD

After 103 Days

Ive decided to stop taking pictures after going 103 days of capturing pictures. Its not because I've lost interest nor I don't have anymore ideas what and where to shoot. But rather, I was a little bit worried about my DSLR after shooting yesterday at San Sebastian Church in Manila. My plan was just to shoot the interiors and exteriors of the church but when I got there, I didn't only witness not one but two weddings. I saw Atty Fortun there who takes photos there (Im sure the bride is from w@w) as well as Sen Chiz Escudero (probably one of the Principal Sponsors). While shooting, I noticed my Camera wont auto-focus even on well lit places as well even if my distance with the subject is fairly far enough.

I went back to my fiancee's home to check. The problem still occurs randomly. Meaning, I could still take pictures using auto-focus at some point in time. She even said that the camera could have been busted but I disagreed because I could still take photos using manual-focus. I even tried it when I got home but was still there. It could have been with my lens or I guess, my DSLR needs to rest for a while.