Top 5 at Zone V: October 2023

The Zone V Camera Club photo contest theme for the month of October is HANDS – images depicting a story with a hand or hands and the characteristics and / or gestures as subject.

Starting October, in order to make the contest even more exciting, the scores of the top 12 images have been withheld. Meanwhile, the Top 5 photographs were announced, albeit, no scores and no ranking have also been revealed.

It is certainly anyone’s ball game, however, the handful of beautiful images we shall share with you, in random order this time.

“Lola Burda” by Danny Yu

Shot taken with a Canon 1DX f/3.2; 1/200sec

It was in 2018 when I went on a photoshoot in Manny Inumerable’s Galleria Taal.

One of the models was an elderly woman whom we immediately set up on an embroidery composition. It was then that I noticed the wrinkles on the woman’s arms and hands. I was reminded of the picture when “Hands” was announced as a theme for 2023.

The picture also holds a strong story of a grandmother teaching embroidery to a young child showing love and patience.

“A Father’s Hand” by Kevin Roy Lopez

ISO 640; f/2; 1/160sec

This image was taken on September 10th during the Grandparents Day event at SM Center Muntinlupa.

I was looking for something to capture during the event, which mainly featured serenades for the grandparents present. Then, I noticed a grandfather with his grandchild at the back, hesitating to enter the event area, seemingly feeling shy. I approached them and asked if I could take their photo while they held the giveaways provided by SM (Katingko and White Flower). Fortunately, the grandfather agreed.

I explained that I wanted to capture their hands with the SM logo in the background. However, this photo was just a test shot for the photo I planned to take for SM.

“Viva Señor Nazareno” by Mac Omega

ISO 64; f/22; 1/4sec, shot using Dd810 and Tamron 15-30 f2.8

I took this picture during the Traslacion or feast of Nuestra Padre Jesus Nazareno in 2019. It was my first time shooting Traslacion and I was very much moved by what I saw. I saw people from all walks of life gather and walking together, bonded by faith.

It was amazing to see a sea of devotees professing their faith by raising their hands, waving their towels and cheering “Viva! Viva! Viva Señor Nazareno!”.

In this photo, I used a slow shutter speed to have a creative blur and I was glad that the photo turned out very well.

“Untitled” by Bern Wong

(Note: backstory details to follow as Bern is traveling)

“Dalangin” by Oscar Soriano

ISO 1600; f/5.6; 1/80sec

Hands clasped in prayer is so powerful as prayers always anchor the beacon of hope.

It may sound cliché, safe and judge-friendly, but creating this simple image of a man in deep prayer reminds all of us of our vulnerability as we face unexpected and difficult challenges in life. And faith always carries us over from the dark clouds into a better horizon.

This was shot from just outside a glass window, thus the reflection on the man’s leaning face and pressed little fingers. Bare of any other trimmings except the purposely blurred rosary beads, the detail of the hands told the story.

Tight cropping added depth while doing it in black and white focused on the message. Luckily, the judges read the writings on the image.