Top 5 at Zone V: June 2024
Welcome to the June edition of our photography club’s monthly contest! This month’s theme, “Long Exposure in Motion,” challenged our members to capture the dynamic essence of motion through the art of intentional blur and extended exposure times. Taken during our Dumaguete Out of Town Shoot, the submissions beautifully depict the vibrancy and activity of the region. From captivating human interest scenes to the mesmerizing movement of nature and wildlife, and the stunning landscapes of Dumaguete, these images showcase the talent and creativity of our photographers. Join us in celebrating their work and the stories behind each shot.
The entries were judged by 3 esteemed personalities:
Jay Jallorina
Jay Jallorina is a seasoned photographer with over 15 years of experience. Initially passionate about landscape photography, Jay expanded his expertise to include architecture, urbanscapes, and creative post-processing. Transitioning from a corporate finance career to a full-time commercial photographer over a decade ago, Jay has since collaborated with top-tier clients such as DMCI Homes, Rockwell Land, Arquitectonica International, Microtel Inns & Suites, and Okada Manila. His impressive portfolio reflects his versatility and commitment to capturing stunning visuals for major real estate and corporate brands.
Manolo Roxas
Manuel “Manolo” Roxas discovered his love for photography early on when he received a Kodak Brownie camera as a gift. During his teenage years, he honed his skills by borrowing his father’s Zeiss-Ikon Contarex and using a second-hand enlarger to develop black-and-white photos.
Manolo has been a dedicated member of the Camera Club of the Philippines since 2007, serving as its President in 2012 and holding a Board position for several years.
Professionally, Manolo is a distinguished lawyer specializing in corporate and tax matters. He is a founding partner of the Roxas, delos Reyes, Laurel, Rosario, and Gonzales Law Offices in Makati City. His dual passions for photography and law illustrate his multifaceted expertise and commitment.
Chito Cleofas
Chito Cleofas has been a professional photographer for over 22 years and currently serves as President of the Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP). He has been twice named FPPF Photographer of the Year and holds the title of Master Photographer within the WPPP.
Chito has been an active member of the Framed Shots Camera Club (1995-2024) and the Press Photographers of the Philippines (1998-2024). Besides his photography career, he is also a part-time farmer, balancing his artistic and agricultural pursuits.
Here are the top 5 winning entries and read the stories behind these images.
#5 “Lobo-lobo” by Arlene Donaire
ISO 200, f/22, 10 sec.
From the start, I aimed to capture a street scene with a focus on human interest. I chose to shoot at night in the boulevard park to showcase the city’s vibe. Having visited Dumaguete before, I knew the best places to photograph people in motion were where the residents gathered—parks, markets, beaches, or churches.
On our first night in the city, our group wandered around the boulevard after dinner to “hunt” for scenes. I spotted a balloon vendor and noticed how the gentle sea breeze and the lamp posts’ lights played on the balloons. Their swaying movements, as if dancing, and the lights making their surfaces glisten told me I had found my story. I asked the vendor to position herself at the center, make small movements, and let the wind and lights do the rest.
Anticipating the technical challenges of night photography and the added factor of motion, I used a tripod for a long exposure shot. I made several attempts to achieve the right amount of blur while keeping the subject discernible. At one point, I even asked a couple of kids to join the vendor as subjects, but I ultimately chose this image for its cleaner, centered composition.
In post-processing, I adjusted the exposure, highlights, shadows, vibrance, and contrast; dehazed the image; and added clarity to enhance the overall aesthetics.
#4 “Boatman” by Ruben Castor Ranin
ISO 100, f/22, 1/5 sec
Canon EOS R5, 16-35mm
It was 2 days before OTS Dumaguete ends and when I arrived Dumaguete; it was a rainy night that I couldn’t take any photo that night. It was a challenging day ahead because I need to join the photowalk the following day that I really need to create a photo based on the theme.
As I am walking to the boulevard of Dumaguete I saw this boatman wearing a local red hat that drew my attention because of the striking color and the interesting movement or activity of the boatman while fixing his boat and waiting for the passengers to get into the boat.
At that moment; my creative side started; as I was shooting on a elevated ground I shot him on a birds eye view. Using a slow shutter speed I was able to capture his movement.
As an artist; what I like about this photo is the vantage point and point of interest. It’s my intention to zoom in and zoom out my lens to interpret the theme. I am always biased with boats and fishermen and when I saw this scene, I knew this was something that will have an impact for my story telling.
#3 “” by Jed Santos
ISO 100, f/18, 1/18 sec
Fujifilm X-T2 with 18-135 Fujinon
This image was taken during the photowalk session in the last OTS in Dumaguete. While we were walking around town and eventually got to “Burgos Park”, we chanced upon a flock of pigeons that was being fed, thus I patiently waited for the right moment wherein all of them started to flap their wings and took flight. Knowing that the theme for the month was “Long exposure in motion”, I made sure to use a low enough shutter speed to capture the motion of the wings, it was somewhat of a hassle though because there was a lot of sunlight that day and struggled to keep it slow. Nonetheless I got a single frame good enough to show this concept that I had in my mind. During editing, I had to crop a lot just to show the portion of the image that depicted the motion nicely and at the same time somewhat of an abstract just enough to see that the overall result was of the birds in flight.
#2 “” by Billy Palatino
My winning image from the most recent Zone V Camera Club On-The-Spot (OTS) competition, which took place in Dumaguete City and nearby towns in Negros Oriental, captures the alluring beauty of Lake Kabalin-an. This captivating view shows a group of mysterious trees standing elegantly in the calm waters of a mountain lake. A sense of mystery and tranquility is evoked by the quiet scene with its mist-kissed backdrop and perfect reflections. The natural surroundings and the interplay of light and shade accentuate this hidden gem in Negros Oriental’s special beauty. In addition to showcasing the breathtaking scenery, the image encourages people or photographers like me to recognize the unspoiled beauty of the natural world and convert them piece of art.
#1 “Casaroro Falls” by Mac Omega
ISO 64, f/2.8, f/22, 3 sec.
Nikon d850 with Nikon 14-24
This is the Casaroro Falls of Valencia, Negros Oriental. Before going to this place, I already had a photo in my mind and I was glad that I was able to execute it. I used a slow shutter speed to create a creamy effect of the falls and the river flowing. Luckily, my guide agreed to pose in front of the waterfalls to add a human element which serves as a scale of how tall the waterfalls. After taking the shot, I already knew that I had a potential winning photo but I did not expect to win the top prize.
Congratulations to all the winners for the month of June!
