The Dubai Chronicles: Rebirth

about dxb chronicles

The saga of Jeff living in the City of Gold. Presently living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, unravel his journey throughout the city with memoirs and everyday life stories.

abrar mosque

another of the mosque series, the abrar mosque is located at al wasl road, umm suqeim, dubai, uae.

the lighting was already harsh at that time (9am) and all we could do was deal with high contrasts.... and finally i decided to concept this into a lomography-like effect (hopefully i can post the workflow..hehe).

note: pronounced as "aaBBBBRRRARRRRRRRRR" by the shopkeeper beside the mosque. lol!

abrar in uwa

double exposure effect

camera shake effect

camera shake effect with double exposure

you can find more lomo-like effect at my multiply.

up next, last of the mosque series.

discoursed by jeff @ 8:55 AM | 1 comment(s) | permalink

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

jumeirah mosque

jumeirah mosque is designed based on the medieval fatimid architectural style, the modern mosque is made entirely of stone. it is the most photographed mosque in dubai.

i got a wake-up call for another early morning shoot and it became our target location. we got only few minutes before sunrise. when we got there, the mosque's lights were suddenly turned off (they knew that we were coming! bwahahaha).

my mind was still asleep when doin' the shoots...hehe.

5:40am

6:00am

6:12am

6:13am (my stomach's grumbling and we went for breakfast..hehe.)

discoursed by jeff @ 12:58 PM | 0 comment(s) | permalink

Monday, October 29, 2007

gargash mosque

this was the first of four mosques we've taken during our weekend photo trek. i present to you the gargash mosque near jumeirah village. shot taken at 7am. monochrome effect.

front view

"allah"

the pillar

the caretaker

see more of gargash mosque @ multiply

discoursed by jeff @ 4:11 PM | 1 comment(s) | permalink

Sunday, October 28, 2007

weekend photo trek galore

a contest entry, two open beach visits, four mosques and a stinky fish market were the agenda last 2-days ago. all of these shoots were impromptu starting from sunrise till early evening.

this week, i'll post about the mosque tripping wherein we take four different locations and methodology like monochrome conversion, time-lapse, long exposure, etc.

crescent domes

and we made short visits to the open beach and hoped to find some interesting subjects. well, we did some.

"long exposure" without the use of tripod..hehe.

and we didn't stop from there. late in the morning, we visited the fish market near shindaga tunnel in deira since it was the first time for my photo buddy to visit the place. we had fun. gory pics included...hehe.

and finally, my entry for a little contest that my co-photographers organized. it was themed "sexy". i'll post the pic soon after the contest.

later.

discoursed by jeff @ 3:27 PM | 1 comment(s) | permalink

Thursday, October 25, 2007

lowepro vertex 200 aw - inside look

last week, i bade goodbye to my lowepro compurover aw and was replaced by lowepro vertex 200 aw. i was looking for a better camera/laptop bag and i decided to get this because my longnose (70-200mm) have a proper compartment attached to the body. this is similar to my lowepro micro trekker 200 from the inside but it is much more spacious. the search is over.

inside look, some compartment paddings removed

i noticed at first that the paddingbelow of the vertex is somewhat flimsy due to the hinging of the front cover. the outer padding of it looks soft but well-padded on every side. the compartments are fully adjustable and can be rearranged.

back view, lots of padding for comfort

paddings on the back are well-developed and the shoulder straps are contoured to your body. the waist belt is large enough that it can accomodate more lens cases or pouches. the straps can be adjusted easily that fits to your size and weight you carry.

fully loaded

as shown, it can accomodate 1-2 camera bodies (with battery grip), 70-200mm lens (hood reversed), 77mm with hood attached (sigma lenses), 2 flashguns, and other lenses, plus accessories...

...oh don't forget the laptop! this monster can accomodate my fat lillian (15.4" hp pavillion notebook) inside. a little tight but it is padded enough.

lowepro vertex 200 aw (all weather) with my manny (my tripod)

the vertex, just like my former bag can accomodate heavy and professional tripods like my manny (manfrotto 055prob). it can be positioned on the front or on the sides using the tripod holder (below of the bag), the straps attached on the bags and the sliplock system.

full battle gear, when carried

compared to lowepro compurover aw, it has a more compact look and less bulky feel. however the space were not enough for extra stuff like shirts, cables, and the like which i would surely miss.

overall, this monster suit for a serious photographer who usually go for long distance travels. this can be in par with another small camera bag or hiking backpack. for the price of dhs650 (salam store, wafi city), it ain't bad.

see more photos of lowepro vertex 200 aw @ multiply

discoursed by jeff @ 11:08 AM | 0 comment(s) | permalink

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

t r a n q u i l i t y

f14, 30secs, 20mm, iso 200, tripod mount on a remote setting

"When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere" - francois de la rochefoucauld

it was spontaneous, benet and i went to the jumeirah open beach to search for a suitable place to shoot. unfortunately due to traffic, we weren't able to catch up with the sunset. instead, i taught her how to shoot using long exposures.

i told her the basics of long exposures like how to use the bulb settings, proper timing and how to setup with the use of remote trigger and tripod. after that, we're on our own in making shots.

the edge of the breakwater was a daring move to go since the rocks have big holes between them and uneven path. after a few minutes, i was able to find a suitable spot and tried few frames.

i finally found my inner peace.

discoursed by jeff @ 10:00 AM | 3 comment(s) | permalink

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

workshops and behind the scenes

co-organized with my fellow shutterbugs and friends, i just documenting the successful event that we conducted at the 1st dpp mideast snipers grand eyeball in al ain.

food distribution

t-shirt distribution

ir photography workshop by ryan rios

studio lighting photography workshop by gerico canlapan and cris servillas

though the photojournalism workshop didn't push through and we didn't have much time for the parlor games, the feedback of the event were positive. after this, there will be another... bigger and better.

discoursed by jeff @ 9:13 AM | 0 comment(s) | permalink

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

campsite and landscapes

we were assigned as scouts for the campsite and went on the eve of eid al fitr to green mubazzarah park, foot of jebel hafeet mountain in al ain.

advance party campsite

as soon as we got our dinner and had our rest, we pitched the other tents that we brought and occupied the nearest cottage.

official campsite

and while waiting for the troopers, we roamed and took some snaps early else we wouldn't be able to because we're the organizers.

lost footwear

sniper on a lookout

more landscape

after few hours, they arrived and raised our flags through our tripods...

see more photos @ multiply

up next, snipey shots and workshops.

discoursed by jeff @ 11:41 AM | 3 comment(s) | permalink

Monday, October 15, 2007

1st dpp mideast snipers grand eyeball - the aftermath

the group hug

photo by tet bautista

advance party's traditional group hug

thank you all in participating the 1st mideast snipers grand eb especially to my fellow organizers. this wouldn't be possible without you guys:

- tet, manel and rain for joining us to the campsite as advance party
- benet, though you're new, you gave full support to the cause
- eric and mhin, from a to zed you're always there. (trans: walang iwanan)
- jowel for the lunch arrangements
- ed, ruth, ariane, johngil for collection and facilitating throughout the event
- jon, roy r., john d. for transportation arrangements

we would also like to thank to those who sent their greetings to the mideast contigent:
- orly arcelo with his nice, great, share more, tfs gig!
- nino estrada, aly reyes and the south shooters: the bebot vid is awesome!
- vic chanchico and his intentional cut of profile vid...hehe.
- teejay joson and his wet-look image
- donna samonte for her live audio greet
- cez young and her pet looking for donations!
- parc cruz and his mellow-dramatic speech (with the tune of "gone")

thank you also to the speakers who shared their skills and talents:

- ryan rios and his ir moments
- gerico canlapan and his studio lighting (and "longsleeves") techniques
- cris servillas, his methodology of studio shoot. you're hard to please man! lol.

and finally, to the participants and supporters who bear the traffic, hunger and heat during the event. i hope you learned and enjoyed this once in a blue moon gathering.

yallah, shokran habibi! (trans: im going back to rest... )

discoursed by jeff @ 9:17 AM | 2 comment(s) | permalink

Thursday, October 11, 2007

fujairah seascape

last week, we took the dogs on a vacation trip to the coast of dibba, fujairah. we stayed overnite for swim, mahjong, barbecue and photoshoot.

f11, 50secs, 10mm, iso200, tripod mount

we were expecting for the sun to go down on the horizon but it was amiss and it sets in the opposite direction. instead, i used a floodlight (5 million candles) on some of the photos and light-painted it.

to be honest with you, i really suck at landscapes and it's not my forte... hehe.

f22, 42secs, 18mm, iso200, tripod mount

f16, 6secs, 14mm, iso200, tripod mount

see more photos @ multiply

discoursed by jeff @ 12:18 PM | 4 comment(s) | permalink

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

1st dpp mideast snipers grand eyeball

this has kept me busy for the past few weeks...

digital photographer philippines (dpp) members from the middle east will go overnight camping. food, barbecue, freebies, workshops, and games included.

entrance: 75dhs
venue: mabzarah al khadra park, jebel hafeet, al ain, uae (see the venue)

REMINDERS:

- Please be on time. We will not wait for you and we will try to stick to our schedule as much as possible.

- Always wear your badges during the event.

- Day 2 Sunrise shoot will be optional. We do not have a bus to take us all up to Jebel Hafeet. You have to arrange your own transportation.

- We will be giving you food stubs (meal for lunch - day 1 and breakfast meal - day 2) for each participant. Please also note that we are not providing your dinner on day 1. For those who are bringing your children, you must supply them with your own food and water provisions. Bringing extra food to share is also encouraged.

- There are two bedrooms and one hall in the chalet. it can be used only for participant's children and their guardians for sleeping. You have to provide your own bed stuff for them. The rest will stay in the tents.

- Always keep your personal valuables and belongings safe.You can keep the other stuff at the chalet when going for a phototrek. The organizers are not responsible for the loss or damage before, during, and after the event.

- Bring your ID, visa, marriage certificate, etc. Just in case we're being questioned by cid/police.

- Other things to remember : - medicine and first aid kits, extra storage media, tripod/monopod, accesories and batteries, swimwear, sleepwear and outdoor clothing, toiletries, sunscreen protection, shades or hats, flashlights, blankets and sleeping bags, extra water and food/ food to share, five dirham bill (surprise!).

- Keep in mind the "photographers ethics", be responsible when taking photographs.

- Last but not the least, your Camera !!!

download the program in print format

download the banner for your car/tent

discoursed by jeff @ 12:11 PM | 11 comment(s) | permalink

The Dubai Chronicles