Top 5 at Zone V

January 2024

The Zone V Camera Club inaugurated January 2024 with the captivating theme of “Abstract Nature Images.” This month’s challenge drew the attention of high-caliber photographers who submitted a remarkable total of 69 entries for scrutiny.

Leading the evaluation were esteemed judges, namely AJ Duran, who leads photo tours via Shutter Adventures Co.  He has staged exhibits of his photographs at Sentro Artista Art Gallery and Venic Grand Canal, Mckinley, Fort Bonifacio.

Second was Ricky Francisco, known for his work as Museum Director & curator at Fundacion Sanso.  He is also a recognized abstract painter and has held multiple exhibitions both locally and overseas.

Final judge was Jun Miranda, who is the founding President, Chairman of the board and Instructor at the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging. He is also recognized as the first Adobe Certified Expert and Adobe Certified Instructor for both Photoshop and Lightroom in Asia.

These seasoned artists dedicated their time and expertise to critique and assess the submissions, promising an insightful and comprehensive review process for participants and spectators alike.

Here are the top 5 winning entries and the stories behind these images.

#5 “Untitled” by Angela Panlilio

I shot this during the pandemic. One of the few fresh things to grace our home during this period. It was suddenly extra pretty in my eyes and it inspired me to shoot it. I had many iterations of this tulip bunch but the slow shutter set was what stood out for me. It’s the there but not quite there quality that appealed very much to my aesthetic. It’s abstractness, reminiscent of those uncertain times.

I haven’t thought of an apt title for this yet. As of this writing though, because of what it reminds me of and how it made me feel then, REACHING; would be my title of choice.

This was shot using my SONY A7R3, ISO 50, 103mm, f/16 at .6 secs. No lighting set up. Ambient light, with set up on top of a glass table.

#4, “Lord Oveseer” by Arlene Donaire

ISO 200, f/8, 1/250 Fuji XT5 + Fujinon 16-80mm

The original image, from which this abstraction was made, was shot during a boat ride in Burnham Lake, when the club held its OTS in Baguio City. During the mini tour around the lake, I noticed the docked boats making some interesting shapes in the waters. The boats were colorful and had some unique markings, so together these made for unusual reflections.

I call the resulting abstract image “Lord Overseer” because the white figure appears to be the head of an imposing man looking over and beyond. The orange colored surroundings give the figurehead a powerful vibe. For some reason, as I was creating this image I was reminded of my Lego Star Wars helmet collection, which I enjoyed constructing during the covid years.  Nothing really profound about the image but I had fun making it.

In post-processing using Adobe PS & Camera Raw, I bumped up the colors and contrast, reduced haze and increased the clarity/structure. As can be gleaned from the original image, it is a straight “cropped” segment from the larger picture of a docked orange boat. The orientation is also “as is”; kept the composition real simple.

#3 “Untitled” by Jed Santos

Location: North Vietnam

Sunset shot of rice terraces taken with DJI mini 3 pro during Shutter adventures’ 2023 Vietnam Ricescapes Tour.

Pro tips : First, it’s easy to be overwhelmed at location due to the immense scope of the area that your drone can capture, just focus on a small area that you find interesting and wait until the the right light shines on your subject. Second, Large capacity batteries will help with the flight time so as to not be rushed with your composition. Lastly, it is very easy to take flat images with drones because of the point of view (bird’s eye). Try to look for the play of light and shadows to add depth to the image.

#2 “Sahara” by Jeff Dytuco

This shot was taken from the Sahara Desert in Morocco. I was actually in a moving car when I took the shot, I saw the interesting play of lights and shadows that emphasized the shapes and curves in the dunes. The orange color of the desert together with the clear blue skies made it even more interesting for me.

#1 “Stirling Falls” by Bern Wong

f/11, 1/250, Sony A7III + Tamron 28-200

The powerful cascade of water that drapes off a steep cliff highlighting the unique rock formations and precipices of Milford Sound, NZ creates the most dramatic abstract strokes of nature. In this series, I explored a range of compositional formats, including sweeping verticals that amplify the sensation of the water’s power, energy and movement. By zooming on the details and creating a high contrast minimalist image, I want the viewer to feel the echo, the vibrations, and the energy of Earth’s creation.

Congratulations for being part of the Top 5 for January!