Erik's Sanctuary

G.I. Jane

2009-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

I'am fortunate to be the first photographer who photoshoot this girl which I strongly believe have the potential to become a model in the future. She is very nice, sweet and bubbly to be work with; I didn't expect that my model will pull it off successfully eventhough this is only her first time to do this kind of shoot. Well she was happy with the result and I'm really proud to be his photographer.

The experience we had during the shoot is quite tiring because we needed to hike more than 1.5 kilometers from my home to a near park and thought rain will come but luckily it didn't fall during the actual shoot.

Details :

Model : Ruth Orescia
Photographer : Erik Estrada
Lightings setup : Erik Estrada
Visual Assistant : Patrick Castillo
MUA : Jazz Perez

Back From Hiatus

2009-12-09T00:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks,

Its been a year since I last posted here... but I'm back now ! There are so many happenings came to my life this year and some had been good and bad. I hope to continue this blog again and this time I will make sure it is updated regularly. :=)

First Set for 2009 are :

*Kuala Lumpur Trip*

Glamour collection

2008-05-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

YUYETH

A collection of alluring beauty or charm, modeling where the model’s appearance, rather than the attire or product is the central focus of the photo.

Jenny

Apple

Vicky

LOMOFIED

2008-05-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

FAKE LOMO : Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique."^{[citation needed]} Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the Lomo LC-A's small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography, photo reportage, and photo vérité.^{[citation needed]}

Contemplation

2008-05-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

A collection of a long and thoughtful observation

Pulau Ubin - My third visit..

2008-03-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Pulau Ubin

Pulau Ubin is a small island (10.19 km²) situated in the north east of Singapore, to the west of Pulau Tekong. Granite quarrying supported a few thousand settlers on Pulau Ubin in the 1960s, but only about a hundred villagers live there today. It is one of the last rural areas to be found in Singapore.

Singapore Airshow 2008

2008-03-09T03:42:00.000-07:00

Too hot to miss, but I missed it, unfortunately there was a huge crowd on that day(Saturday). I didn't expect to be like that so going there around 9am is not a good idea on a event like this one. The acrobatic airshow had started while we are inside the registration and security section.

Singapore Airshow, Asia's largest aerospace and defence event, is a joint venture between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Defence Science & Technology Agency. It is one of the top three air shows in the world and serves as a global marketplace and networking platform for the military and civil aviation community.

Malay model, the modern time

2008-03-09T03:30:00.000-07:00

In-House studio shoot, modern malaysian girl.

Chingay Parade of DreamS 2008, Singapore

2008-03-09T03:06:00.000-07:00

The Chingay is an annual street parade held in Singapore. Though it is often associated with Chinese New Year festivities, it has evolved into a showcase of multi-cultural celebration.

Batam Expedition

2008-02-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

Batam is a small tiny sland of Indonesia. It's population is around 1 million people with many factories, towns, shopping centres and gateway to the other surrounding Riau Islands. The distance between Batam and Singapore is only 20km and it only takes about 35 minutes by ferry from Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal or World Trade Centre.

These are some of my picture taken in this island, Enjoy!

Photomacrography

2008-01-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

Macro photography refers to close-up photography; the classical definition that the image projected on the "film plane" (i.e film or a digital sensor) is the same size as the subject.

I'm using only a Standard macro lens : Sigma 70-300mm APO DG MACRO w/o any close-up filter or extension tube.

Hope you enjoy some of my collections:

Thai Poosam Kavady

2008-01-24T00:26:00.000-08:00

Thai Poosam Kavady Festival - Singapore 2008

Thai Poosam Kavady is a Hindu religious festival dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Murugan that is celebrated by Tamil people in South Africa not in India originated.

Kavady translates in Tamil language as a pole slung across the shoulder to evenly distribute the weight of whatever is being carried, usually in bundles on either ends of the pole. The carrying of kavady symbolizes the carrying of one’s burden and then resting it at the feet of the Lord.

Thai Poosam Kavady falls on the full moon day in the Tamil month Thai (January). The ten-day festival starts with hoisting of the flag. Daily rituals, abolitions and singing devotional hymns are held in honour of Lord Murugan. On the main day of the Kavady festival, devotees carry the Kavady from a distance away from the temple, preferable from a river, back to the temple. It is believed that the more effort and hardship applied when carrying the Kavady, the more benevolent Lord Murugan will be towards fulfilling his devotee’s needs. Devotees usually carry milk and honey on either end of their Kavadies. After entering the temple grounds the devotees carry their Kavadies three times around the temple. When they are inside the temple, the milk and honey are poured over the statue of Lord Murugan. The festival concludes with the de-hoisting of the flag.

From : From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Foot Prints in the sand

2008-01-22T00:11:00.000-08:00

Nirwana Beach Resort - Bintan Beach resort

I choose this caption for my "Title" because it is common to everybody.. You can see or heard this kind of subject title everywhere in a postcard, a gospel from the bible , greeting cards, quote's, music and etc......

This is my few first shot I've done last 2006 using a LUMIX FZ-50, newbie that time so no time to think about composition, proper settings, or ask myself did I take the shot very nice or good ? No Photoshop at all too :). Hmmmm, I forgot I still consider myself a newbie until this moment....

Why footprints in the sand? Hmmmm... from the gospel itself - Walking with the lord while you are dreaming. Unfortunately I still not experienced this in my dreams walking in the beach with the Lord but looking forward to have one someday very sooooon..

For me this image interpret our challenges in life, if you have two set footprints in the sand it means you are having good challenges and you are doing very well, but if one foot only then it will be your difficult times to achieve something. I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand, how about you ?

Everyone have their own footprints in the sand, this is you who make your own path on every step you take. The footprints will be there to represent your goals if it vanished then you failed to achieve something on your journey through life in Earth. What will be your footprint in the sand will be ??

Quote:

“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.” - GOD

I Don’t Know Where My Journey Ends

2008-01-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

Everybody have the same question in their minds as I'm thinking right now, how I will conquer my last journey in this life I have now ?? . Honestly I don't know how it will end, did you ?

I wish that after every journey we are taking part; Career, Decision, Love life, Family life, & your own life will be a memorable one, be optimistic or even hope it will be a good one.

This "questions" cross my mind for 2 weeks now and still cannot answer it, it's complicated but I know God will be there to guide me.....

But at the end of the day it is still "you" who will make your journey how to end, it could be better or worst.

As for me, and maybe for the rest of us, we have our own mountain to conquer. I don’t know where my journey ends. I just hope and pray I can make it to the top and die happy.

Abstract & Still Life Photography

2008-01-13T23:30:00.001-08:00

"Steel Bar"

These are one of the most challenging photography to master because you need to master both creativity and lightning, especially how to use lights to make your subject very interestingt. Well I'm planning to attend a Still-Life session with PSS (Photography Society of Singapore) very soon....

These are some of Abstract(Steel Bar) and Still-Life interpretation, hope you like it

1. Bread of Life

Photo taken at Le Meridian Hotel

Note: Semi-finalist portfolio on "OPEN Category" in International Open Amateur Photography Contest, 2007" Sadly I didn't win because they required me to go to U.S.A. for me to represent my entry.

My picture is included on the book named " Endless Journeys"

ISBN-0-7951-5247-7

2. Vodka @ Office

Photo taken at +Hp office

I used a basic light that is available inside the office, well you might think how I done this without anyone seeing me.. That is a secret that I will not share hehehehe....

3. Candle Light's

Photo taken inside my room

Guess what! I have done it inside my room, because I'm addict about my passion so while it is raining very heavy here in Singapore cannot go out with my photography friends so I decided to make my day useful and it is worth it afterall.

Another Day of My Life had Passed By........

2008-01-07T21:05:00.000-08:00

The Day of My Life

How you can resist the colorful sunset of our mother earth ? Well for me being here again in this place was another memorable to me because I'm very much inspired to captured a sunset landscapes nowadays.....

That is why all of us must care and love GAIA to preserve these wonderful characteristics of our mother EARTH.

....

Countdown to 2008

2008-01-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

Marina Bay, Singapore

Year 2007 had been good to me; I met a lot of new friends, found a new job at British Telekom after three years of working with +Hp, having my own business in the Philippines and giving me good opportunity in everything I want to do especially in the field of photography. This year I won the second place for the PVi Photographer of the year 2007 which is not bad for a newbie like me, I hope I can do it better this year (2008) and win a lot of photo contest so I can earn some exposure to the public and "be the man" (I Wish, hehehehe).

As a photographer many of us is very keen to have a nice and wonderful capture of any fireworks diplay. Fireworks displays are certainly stunning and colorful. Capturing those moments with a camera is a challenge. Because it is done during end of the year at midnight so many steps you need to consider likes :

1. Scouting the area for a great place to shoot where the fireworks pontoon will be placed and fired before the actual event.
2. Getting early as possible on the day of the event, because not only you will be watching or capturing the fireworks display.
3. Preparing your necessary gears like Tripod, Remote cable, extra battery, flashlight, raincoat for you & and to your camera, Food & drinks, and lastly make sure you have a lot of memory cards because staying early on the area will be boring while waiting so many of you will be shooting anything that comes to your mind, am I correct ?
4. Stay focused - You need to set your lens to infinity then put it manual mode, autofocus will not be effective at night during fireworks display.
5. Timing - Exposure or shutter speed is something you need to pay attention when shooting fireworks.
6. Take lots of pictures, be creative, and have fun!

I hope that year "2008" will be still good to me and make my life simple and fruitful.

I wish all of us have a peaceful year and make mother earth as happy it should be. :)

"HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL"

My PinoyGrapher's Group

2008-01-01T21:14:00.001-08:00

It is February of year 2007 that I met this enthusiastic photography group called "PinoyGraphers@SG" but the original name was "Photobongbong" before which is similar to the filipino appetizer - putobongbong. If I didn't join this group maybe I will have my own group by now but i'm still newbie so creating my own group will be much difficult so i decided to join and fortunately my decision is positive. I thank all of them of being good to me, helping/supporting me to improve my skills, ideas, and public relation to other people's. Before I'm shy to show my pictures but now I'm proud to show it to everybody because of these good people of this group!. Currently our group is involved in many events that the Philippine Embassy and Filipino Association Group (FAS) is doing here in Singapore. I love this group, proud to be with them!

Freelance Photographer

2008-01-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I would like to share with you my latest "calling card" . This is my first time to have my own card for my "sideline" to earn extra income. Photography have given me some opportunity to earn even not so big but still it will help me to finance my needs especially for buying extra gears for myself. It is worth being a freelance photographer after all.

My services are :

1. Event/Occasion - Wedding, Pre Nup, Anniversary, Concert, and etc..
2. Fashion/Glamor/Portrait - Baby, Couple, Group, Family, Model's and etc..
3. Landscapes/Cityscapes - with or without : HDR, IR, Orton effect
4. Photojournalism
5. Stilllife - Food, Commercial, and Advertising

It's all about Christmas!

2007-12-30T03:00:00.001-08:00

"PAROL "

"Tradition Christmas" for Filipino during december is much more interesting than any other countries celebrating the birth of Jesus. Perhaps Filipinos celebrate the longest Christmas in the Christian world as far i'm concern.

The Parol - This symbolize the filipino craftsmanship, Ever since, it has become a traditional decor on window eaves and doorways. Without this "Parol" in your home definitely you are lacking the spirit of christmas!!!

As families and friends gather to celebrate Christmas, we remember all the blessings that fill our lives, beginning with the great blessing that came on a holy night in Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus is a central religious event; an example of God's profound love for humanity; and the pathway to hope and to new life. Today, the Christmas story still speaks to every generation.This holiday season, as we share in the spirit of giving and enjoy familiar Christmas traditions, we give thanks for the wonder of God's love and rededicate ourselves to helping those in needs. We are wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the peace and goodwill of the season fill every heart and warm every home.

The Central Business District of Singapura

2007-12-30T02:46:00.000-08:00

The Downtown Core includes high-density buildings along the Singapore River . This is the famous cityskyline of Singapore, a lot of photographers have this image on their precious vault. If you come to Singapore you should have this pictures in your hand and if you don't have then you're not been in Singapore and you miss the "uniquely singapore" that the tourism offer to all tourists visiting Singapura.

Wikepedia about CBD, Singapore

The Central Area comprises the core financial and commercial districts in Singapore, comprising of eleven urban planning areas, namely Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South, Museum, Newton, Orchard, Outram, River Valley, Rochor, Singapore River and Straits View as defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Part of the Central Region in the southern part of Singapore, it includes high value land intensely regulated by the URA's urban planning initiatives. It approximately equates to the area which may be referred to as the city despite Singapore being a city in itself.

My favorite place in Singapore

2007-12-28T00:15:00.000-08:00

Lower Pierce reservoir park, Singapore

One of the places in the Singapore that I loved, definitely the sunset here is so amazing and the water is very calm. I always comes back here to relax and take photographs too. Many locals and expat go here to jog, fishing, picnic, biking, and relax. Like me they love this place very much...

Sometime I used to do a paparazzi mode here because many kids are playing and also if I'm lucky a Pre-Nuptial session is being held here by some wedding photographer.
I think a lot of wedding photographers used to go here because they know that this place is a good place to shoot their clients(soon to be married).

I will never forget this place in my heart co'z it captured me deep inside very deeply........

For all who want to see the beauty of this place:

By Bus
Take services 167, 855 and 980. Alight along Upper Thomson Road, near Casuarina Road. Walk along Old Upper Thomson Road towards Lower Peirce Reservoir Park. The entrance to the Trail is along this road.

Pvi Photographer of the year 2007

2007-12-27T23:35:00.000-08:00

The recently concluded photo contest here in Singapore had showcase the filipino talents, 5 of the Filipino amateur photographer who join the contest; 2 of them is on the TOP 3 position after 4 months of competition. We ousted the local Singaporean photographer's and other races here which prove that Filipino talent's are everywhere and being recognized even in a simple way.

I would like to thanks all the filipino who supported us by voting online especially the FILSG community, they are also supporting my group by promoting us on their website.

You may check it and join our group : PinoyGraphers

These are my entries that made me the second runner-up : Flickr Link

By the way the GRAND WINNER is my fellow buddy and also a FILIPINO!!!

MABUHAY ANG MGA PINOY !!!!