@White Kebaya Girl
Location: Bali [Indonesia Lifestyle Photographer]
CANON 5D + 100mm f/2.8 MACRO = MY WINDOW TO ANOTHER WORLD
One lens. That’s all it took. I was without a telephoto lens so zooming was not an easy option. Instead, I got closer to my subjects — as close as they would allow me (the stranger), of course. But, I kept cautious, asking for permission, respectfully, because I never wanted to be disrespectful to anyone in their own home. Yes, I look a little like them, however, I couldn’t understand their language and they couldn’t understand mine, but through smiles we understood each other. Through this experience, I am a better person. Through my lens, I saw Bali.
In an earlier post, I introduced the Red Kebaya Girl; today, I am introducing the White Kebaya Girl. To be honest, the original plan was to shoot both sessions on the same day, but as the heavens had it we were forced to try another day on the count of rain. I’m glad nothing went as planned … Because I am able to share with you two variations of the Kebaya girl. In red, a beauty with poise. In white, she stands uncovered, without an umbrella, surrounded by warmth and laughter.
Behind the scenes…
Off the beaten path, in the outskirts of Ubud, a single narrow road led us to a small village filled with children who observed us with such quiet curiosity. Little boys sat on their bikes and watched. Little girls — all in matching tee-shirts — giggled as we approached them with a request to dance with the White Kebeya Girl (in the middle of the road). But, they were all hesitant. Moments later, we were following them inside their gated community where we discovered a dance school. Theirs. They held our hands and invited us inside their world, eagerly. (I’m glad nothing went as planned.)
P.S. Stay tuned for my third and last shoot in Bali.
NOTE: I had a near-fall in the video footage. Evident that I’m a klutz!
@Home (USA)
Location: Philippines [International Lifestyle Photographer]
DISCLAIMER:
This may not be a true representation of this country, but it is here as seen through my lens.
The Philippines. I’ve seen images of this country here and there, in magazines, on TV, etc. But, to see it with your own naked eyes is a totally different story. I don’t even know how I feel about my 14-day trip to this country; I can’t really explain it. Am I happy? Am I sad? Am I enlightened? I just don’t know. But, here is what I do know:
In the USA, I live in my air-conditioned home and drive around in a nice SUV. I drive to Starbucks whenever I please, drop $10 at nearly every visit, or sometimes two visits in one day, as if it’s chump change. And, it was to me, as always. But, $10 (or ₱500) is a whole lot more on the other side of the world. It means providing a nice hot meal to an entire family of six or more members, and even clean water, too.
I watched as a young boy, no older than 7yo, mount a pile of garbage looking for his next meal (in the middle of the night) as I rode by. I saw an entire family of six huddled over a tiny pot while traffic moved past them as they continued to “live” in the middle of a two-way street. And, I saw children playing in dirty brown water just inches away from a mass of garbage that nearly covers this man-made river. I’ve seen so much in 14 days to last me a lifetime. Sadly, I barely broke the surface.
Despite their less fortunate living conditions, my new cousins and aunties/uncles never once complained. They ensured that I remained on vacation by preparing my daily meals, cleaning afterward, doing my laundry by hand, etc. I was never allowed to pick up a dirty water glass because I was “on vacation.” I’ve never felt so useless in my entire life. At the same time, I’ve never felt so cared for and loved. Usually, one can tell when one is being smooched, but that was clearly not the case with my new family. They observed me as much as I did them. I ask myself, What do I have to complain about? I have it pretty damn easy in the USA. My bad days will never compare to what my family in PI face every single day. Again, what do I have to complain about living the American dream? Nothing. And neither do you.
NOTE: All shots were taken with my Canon 5D and [old] 50mm f/1.8 lens and formatted by Poladroid.net. (And, 90% was shot behind car windows.)
Married: Liza & Lou
Location: Portland [Oregon Wedding Photographer]
My first 15-hour wedding to date … and probably my last! haha! (I’m totally kidding, y’all.)
But, it’s not easy lugging around a 40-pound camera bag for hours and hours. My eyes start to cross and that’s not good considering it’s my job to stay “focused.” I know, I know … bad joke. Well, who said I was a comedian anyway?! Bleh!
Location: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
Guest Photographer: Derrick Bautista
[VIEW SLIDESHOW]
