Caliraya (B & W)

Once again, we were given the opportunity to tag along in the latest landscape photography class of our esteemed mentor, Richard Larrios.  It’s always a pleasure, and BS aside, a true honor to be allowed to tag along whenever he gives workshops.  This time, we had a chance to return to Caliraya, where we got rained out the first time around.

We got to return to that lighthouse thingy, or whatever you call it, which we were frustrated not to shoot because of strong rains.  We got to return as well to the Japanese garden, where we first tried out infrared photography, and we visited a resthouse owned by the gracious Mr. Peter Wallace.

I decided to try black and white because this is one aspect that I never really explore in photography, so I wanted to see how my IR photos would look in B & W.  I like the drama minus the orange/red cast that I usually get from my camera.

I guess I wanted that eerie feel and quiet grace that I associate with infrared photography but without the distraction that color sometimes brings.  Plus, I don’t know if it’s just me, but IR photos seem to me like they’re bereft of any sound.  I don’t know why.

It was an exhausting weekend, with us running around like headless chickens, waking up at 4am to catch the sunrise, and working overtime on our first official photo trip for 2009 and our first since the exhibit.  It was nice to be behind the camera again, as if we were recharged!

So we’re back to shooting, and we plan to really take advantage of the summer, rainless months.  I just realized I’ve been taking pictures for a year now! I took my basic photography lessons around March of 2008!  Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a year.  As a photo group, this is also our first summer together; we’ve gotten used to shooting under constant threat of rain.  I’m so excited for summer 2009!

Again, a big bowl of gratitude to our teacher Richard Larrios!

(Tomorrow, I post the color photos!)