After posting my introduction here, I had my mind set on one topic for my first Visual Series. I promised to myself that it should be a tribute to my second home for almost a decade now - Cebu. This series is about the Oldest street in the Philippines - Colon Street.
Cebu is known for its rich history and culture. Walking in its streets enables me to access my creativity more readily. Finding the right time of the day to shoot is critical in telling a story through photographs. For the series, I decided to shoot at 5am everyday to present Colon in a different perspective - how the country’s first street comes alive. Shooting at the right time will not only show a different personality/character of a subject but also provide the photographer the right light for a more compelling photograph.
Colon is the country’s oldest street. Walking around the area would give you a glimpse into the city’s vivid historic past. The street is an essential part of the Cebuano lifestyle, culture and history. Traces of its past as the main commercial district can still be seen today. The street has been the best witness to all the changes within the Queen City of the South.
Also considered as the country's shortest national road, this street has so much stories to tell. Each structure has its own history. These stories inspired me to take photographs. I wanted to capture each subject's daily routine and any other stories they have to tell. Each of the succeeding photographs represents a character to this whole narrative. Each of them contributes to what Colon Street is today.
Before starting a series, I spend time visualizing on how the series would be like and its purpose. Identifying the characters of the series is an essential part of my process. Having a clear idea of what story you’re trying to tell prepares you for the shoot. Unlike in countries or cities with distinct cultures, shooting here in Cebu presents the challenge of finding an interesting subject in an environment that everyone sees everyday. The location is as important as the subject. It’s not all the time that a subject is in a scene you had in mind. You have to wait for that decisive moment.
This is just the start of my Visual Series. I have more interesting stories to tell through my photographs. I was overwhelmed with the warm welcome from the Steemit Community. It made me more inspired to write stories and share my passion for Visual Storytelling. Have a good day everyone and Steem on!
That color grading though! Huhuhu soooo good! street photography is closest to my heart, thus I really dig the photographs! You reminded me of someone that went viral in Facebook. It was a Batanes Series. Was it you? Are you friends with Aiko and Karl Aguro? :) If not, I am sorry, hihi.
Hi @ablckbrd! Thank you! Yes, that’s me! I just joined Steemit and I’m trying to blog about all the series I did before. I can’t believe I met someone who saw my other series here. lol. Are you also from Cafa? Aiko, Karl and I are friends.
Small world, right? I first noticed the color grading man gud. :) And no, I'm not from Cafa. Im from Cagayan de Oro. Same mi high school ni Karl before. As for Aiko, I met her online through Karl. Hehe! Welcome to Steemit! I am very sure you'll do well here.
Beautiful photos! What camera and editing software did you use for these?
Mabuhay! Your post has been upvoted and resteemed by the @bayanihan curation team.
Thank you @bayanihan! I'm using Fuji x-t20. For editing, I use lightroom and VSCO. I'm glad you liked this Visual Series. :)
hey there, how do you handle to fuji RAF files, - if you shoot raw? For me it is really annoying since my LR cant handle it and I have to convert them into DNG beforehand. Got the same camera, I am so in love with this little dude :)
hi @geniusloci! Try updating your lightroom. I had that problem before. The current update allows LR to read RAF files. I hope it fixes your problem. I really love this little beast. Just the right cam for street and travel photography. :)
Ah alright, this might get a little tricky since my LR might or might not be official :D Which lenses do you use? I got the 35mm xf and it is such a stellar lens :) Also, what are you using VSCO for, just googled it and from waht I understand, it is a smartphone app? Thanks a lot for the info!
I'm also using that lens and the 18-55 f2.8. It really works well for street photography. Yes, it's an app. I use it usually only for achieving the film colors that I want. But most of the magic happens on LR. :)
Congratulations! This article has been included in today's daily feature!
@bayanihan Thank you so much! I’ll check it out. :)
Awesome imagery and learned something new. Oldest street in the Philippines. Wow just wow.
I look forward to seeing more of your visual imagery.
Thank you @maverickinvictus! Have you been to Colon? It's great to know that someone actually learned something from my post. I'll be posting more Visual Series soon and I'll try to give more info and fun facts for the community. See you around! :)
I haven't and it's something that makes me appreciate the history of our places.
To be honest I have been to more foreign locales rather than local ones. I get to travel locally about once a year.
Congrats brad! Love these photos. :) Taga colon ko ato una. Maka proud kaau GI unsa nemu xa pagportray. :)
Thank you @dawnsheree. Taga-Cebu sad diay ka? Nisayo jud ko ug adto sa Colon kay ganahan ko lahi na Colon ang makita sa viewers. Not the usual na daghan ug taw. It's all worth it. Lingaw sad kaayo mulakaw2 sa Colon sayo sa buntag. Daghan ka makita na something interesting and perfect moments to capture. Laag 'nia balik sa Cebu! :)
Taga Cebu lng japon pero Wala na sa Colon. :) Bitaw payter jud kaau. ^^ Makaproud ba. ^^
This is an excellent idea. I think that I will start my own little series of the town I live in, Calbayog City Samar. You have some very good pictures. I hope that I will be able to do as well. The Philippines is a wonderful country with wonderful people. It's a shame that corruption has made it as poor as it is. I hope someday soon things will change for the Filipino.
Hi @johnwjr7! I haven't been to Samar yet but I've heard a lot of good things about your province. I actually booked a ticket for next month and I'm planning to visit Biri Island. Share your photos of your town here. I'm pretty sure everyone's interested to see what your town has to offer. I share the same sentiments about corruption. Good thing is that Filipinos really know how to find happiness in small things. Can't wait to see your own take to this Visual Series. :)
It's true. Most Filipinos are happy with the simplest things. I have lived here for over 7 1/2 years now and it still amazes me some of the things they do to get by, because they have to. It's sad, but it also can be a mind opener. I hope to begin my new quest tomorrow.
I usually take this street a way in going to my school. I'm also from Cebu and I'm really glad knowing your'e here too
Hi @rigor! It’s good to know that the Cebuano community here in Steemit is growing.
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STOPI guess someone's catapulting himself to fame. I have seen these photos before, but I never thought that you can elevate it more than it should have been. As always, the photos are stunning, no doubt. What I'm interested in is the way you write your story. A writing session should be scheduled this weekend. I want to learn your style and perspective.
Sure! Thanks @ybanezkim26!
This is super amazing! I love your photos. Anxious for the next one.
@deveerei Thank you so much! I’ll try to upload more of my series as often as possible. :)
That will be really great!
These are so stunning. I wandered down that very street so many times when I was growing up. This series is making me feel incredibly nostalgic!
You're also from Cebu? That's good to know. It's a different take on how we see this street now. A lot of negative impressions are now associated with Colon but I still love walking around. I just hope the government will find ways to preserve the history and culture of the street. There's so much potential. I have been to other streets in Southeast Asia and we can learn from those other streets. Improvements can be made without losing the history of the place.
I completely agree. It makes me sad that people don't value the historical value of the place. People just trash everything! Proud Cebuana all the way. :) I miss it a lot but live elsewhere now. Still flippin' love your portrayal of the grime and almost seedy feel of Colon... but it still sort of looks bright and hopeful in many ways.