Project Rice

Nov.22, 2006: Cebu Philippines

Olympus E-1 ,Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/250s f/5.0 at 54.0mm iso200

This is my favorite image of Amon, right after I first saw him (his story is posted below)

He's deaf & mute - here he's looking at me after I motioned to him to come over & join us for a simple BBQ lunch (I was buying Lisa & LetLet their daily meals there)

...the image looks into his own thoughts at the time I pressed the shutter:

'who is this person?'
'I'm hungry - will he give me something to eat?'
'I'm hungry, but I'm too shy to approach him'
'Lisa & LetLet are eating with him - did he buy them their meal?'
'I'm hungry & there's only rice to eat - and little else...I don't get many chances to taste chicken...maybe I can join them?'

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 12:06 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Nov.22, 2006: Cebu Philippines

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/500s f/5.0 at 41.0mm iso200

I first met Amon (it's just what the others call him, as no one seems to know his real name) while taking Lisa & LetLet to their daily meals at the local BBQ stand in their neighborhood - a smiling & energetic child who's clearly pretty much destitute & dirty, and frequently sleeps with the other kids in-need, on the street or where ever he can manage.

He was walking by, and he stopped to watch us while eating chicken - he was clearly hungry, and I immediately motioned for him to come over & join us, but he just stood there.

I asked the BBQ owner to quietly go over to him & just ask him what he'd like to eat, and bring it to him - but they told me he's deaf & mute, and they couldn't understand him.

I turned to him smiling & pointed at the chicken & pork grill, and then motioned to him to come sit at my table, which he did.....Amon sat next to me with Lisa & LetLet, and I made the motion of putting my fingers into my mouth, then I pointed at him saying 'kaoon ka na' meaning we're going to eat now, and he just smiled and pointed to the BBQ chicken on a stick, which he enjoyed with us, along with rice & Pepsi....and he didn't leave a single crumb on his plate.

Lisa & LetLet were smiling at me when I tried communicating with Amon - they knew exactly what I was doing - they knew I would not hesitate to buy food for their friends who were poor, just like I've always done for their Family.

No one knew who his parents were, or where they are - and Amon disappeared and went back to roaming with other kids right after his meal, and although he couldn't hear me speak English or Visayan, and he couldn't speak back to me, he did make small noises when he was happy or excited, as a deaf person would sound.

We got him a nice meal that day, and actually every day after that, while I was in Cebu....he always knew where to find me, and I was completely happy to be able to get him his meals.

I hope I can find him later this month in Cebu, before I have to get back to Manila.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:36 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I'm back into my email accounts - all is well, just a minor technical difficulty.

I'll be posting some new images within the hour.

Thank you to those who've been emailing me; your support, encouragement & kindness is reflected in my work here (to the best of my ability, I put as much love and passion as I can into this) and is slowly bringing some much needed attention to those children & Familes featured here, and also to this website.

Thank you also to Steve Griffith for going the extra mile for me.

Thank you,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:32 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Just wanted to let everyone know that these last few upcomming weeks for me are going to get really stressfull, and I'm sure at some point it'll affect posting here, but I'll do my best to post updates & images.

2 days ago at the internet cafe here on Bantayan Island, I tried logging into my yahoo email account as usual, and found my screen name & password did NOT work anymore - I don't know why or if it's been re-set by someone, but for all intents & purposes I'm totally locked out of sending anyone any email.

From my laptop here with Mozilla Thunderbird for pRice emails, I've found that I can recieve emails but can not send any "failed to find hostname from IP address" is the error message I'm recieving when I try to send anything.

I'm also having to check out of my cottage on Sunday at my landlord's request, so he can rent it out for BIG money next week during Holy Week (he's having personal finance issues & I understand that, but I really wanted to be able to stay where I've been) and there's also a serious VISA issue that's been unfolding lately with Immigration, that I'm trying to fix before I leave Philippines in late April (my Passport was stolen, then recovered - but in the intrim I missed a VISA extention because of that - it's stressfull but it's being addressed)

So just be patient, I'll be doing my best here with the website, and I'll try to set up a new yahoo account by tomorrow.

PJAMES

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/80s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso400
sunrise: March 28, 2007 Bantayan Island, Philippines

Posted by Paul James at 12:01 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Many Project Rice images are now being featured in my new pBase.com Gallery: FACES/Philippines 2007
http://www.pbase.com/pauljames/faces

My pBase Galleries are at just over 900,000 hits over the past 3 years, much more than here.

I'm on target for one million hits this year on pBase, hopefully within the next 2 months.

...pBase.com is a very usefull vehicle for promoting this website, so keep your fingers crossed that it can point even more people here to pRice.

Best Regards,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 12:01 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

March 23, 2007: Cebu

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/200s f/3.5 at 23.0mm iso400

I needed to see Jimmy on a very important matter while in Cebu a few days back; while I was at his place his beautiful little daughter they call 'Baby' came out to see me & study me while I had the camera.

...she never said a word to me, she just looked, and smiled, and turned to listen to others talking, and went about studying me, and I got some very beautiful shots of JherLyn, Jimmy's wonderfull daughter.

Jimmy's quite poor, and is struggling very hard to support his wife & 3 children - but he always smiles & never ever complains; when I showed up he gave me the best of what he had - no food to eat, but a solid wood table and chair to sit & chat with him - all made by his hand.

I bought some food for us and loaded his phone so he could text me when I got back to the Island, but I really hope he can find some work - he does excellent carpentry.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:44 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I had to attend to some serious personal matters in Cebu, and I just returned yesterday so I'm trying to recover from the stress, the trip, the Cebu smog & noise, etc.

I started editing new images last night, but I was in bed by 9pm as I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer - I just crashed.

I'll be on the computer most of the day today working, so I'll have some new images to post tomorrow.
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 12:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

November 27, 2006: Bantayan Island, Philippines

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/250s f/3.5 at 54.0mm iso400

I know for a fact that Juvie gets some sort of breakfast daily (certainly not what you & I would call "breakfast") but I can also tell you I've been around the Family many, many times when there's been little or no income for a day or two, and the Family must give the children whatever they have available, and not let them go without.

This was a day when they had no income from fishing, and breakfast was simply powdered milk, eaten with a spoon.

When people ask me why I spend money on food & other items for this Family, most of the time I refer them to this image & story.

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:34 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

images © Manny Libroto. Used by permission

Congratulations are in order for fellow pBase.com photographer Manny Libroto from Philippines - he's featured in the current online edition of pBase Magazine's issue #8 and it's a fantastic interview with one of the best photographers on pBase.com, and one of the better portrait shooters in the world.
download the PDF of Manny's interview here at pBase.com/magazine

I'm also excited to hear that Nikon Philippines has now officially Sponsored Manny with new gear: a Nikon D2X
...Manny's images are fantastic - he's worked so hard over the past few years and I'm happy to see Nikon recognizing his efforts and finally Sponsoring him.
Please check out his image galleries at pBase - he puts a twist on most of his images with some exciting post-processing in Photoshop, resulting in images that just blow you away.
http://www.pbase.com/manny_librodo

Manny's a teacher based now in Thailand, and is originally from Iloilo Philippines - and one of these days when he's back here we'll surely make the time to schedule a shoot together.
...I've always considered Manny a 'street-shooter' at heart, and I've always been drawn to his images of the poor, and working poor.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:57 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Feb. 20, 2007: Manila Philippines

Olympus E-1 ,Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/60s f/3.5 at 29.0mm iso100

I've worked on a few new May Anne images from the Manila shoot I did with Rosa, Edison & Rodelyn - May Anne is a child in-need who lives next door to Rosa & Edison's Family, and the kids are always together but May Anne is more shy and harder to photograph while she goes about just being herself.

She always comes over to me with that huge smile of hers, yet has never said a word to me all the time I've known her - she usually wants to speak Tagalog to Rosa when I ask her questions, and Rosa will translate.

Good Sunday to you all,
PJAMES
...we had the hottest day of the year here on the Island so far yesterday, and certainly the hottest since November 2006.
...100 degrees F with a wicked humidity, so the heat index was well over 100 by 10am.

Cooler at 87 today with lower humidity, which is very nice and much easier conditions to work in when I'm at the computer.

Posted by Paul James at 06:29 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/100s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso200

With all the projectrice images I'm working on, I do take time out of my day to shoot sunrises & sunsets here in the Philippines, and I've just put the new gallery up on pBase.com
sunrise/sunset & other colors of Bantayan Island

In the past I've really never made a serious effort to shoot sunrises/sunsets here, but I needed to take breaks & get away from the computer to prevent daily burn-out, and it's also very beautiful where I am so now I have some images - I hope you'll take a moment to go to that Gallery and take a look.

Just as I've had to make a commitment to shooting the children & Families whos images I publish here, I've learned that you also have to schedule the time for sunrise/sunset shooting as well.
...with sunrises, I have to be up by 5:30am here - actually 5am is better, because the sky is just beginning to light up, and I'm finding I'm waking up naturally some days between 5:15am/5:30am, and it's a bit of a rush to get out the door & get down to the coastline a few meters away.

Sunsets are a different animal entirely - where ever I am & whatever I'm doing, I have to remember to start looking at the late afternoon sky to see what the clouds are doing.
...if we have a flawless blue sky here, there probably won't be much color for the sunset, but by 4:30pm if we have some interresting cloud formations, I begin to think to myself 'we might have a sunset happening'

So whatever I'm doing at 5:30pm has to stop, and I have to make a decision on where to shoot - and I prefer to shoot from close to my place, but I try to be spontanieous and creative which can be difficult when shooting from near the same places daily.

Here's the sunset from last night, 2 minutes from my place.
..when I got into the grove of coconut Palms & looked up, it almost seemed like I was looking up at the atmosphere on an alien planet, as the clouds had taken on very weird & strange shapes - but only for a few seconds and then those shapes were gone.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/100s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso100

I'm working on 3 Galleries here on the Island - the projectrice Gallery, the sunrise/sunset Bantayan Island Gallery, and since I also do street-shooting/portortraiture, I'm working on a new Gallery called "FACES, Philippines 2007" and I'll be posting it to pBase.com very soon.

Best Regards,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:14 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Jan.11, 2007: Cebu Philippines

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/4.0 at 54.0mm iso100

In all the backlog of images I have yet to edit, and still trying to keep up with some current images, I wanted everyone to know I have not forgotten about Lisa & LetLet's Family in Cebu! (Lisa is pictured above)

I have many new images of the girls and Family from November 2006 & January 2007, and ran through a lot of money buying them their daily necessities, specifically 50kg. of rice a week, and 2 trips for clothing for the entire Family in January (the rice always makes everyone happy, but clothes for all 8 kids got them REALLY excited, as well as Mama Milagros)

Lisa & LetLet are doing fine - they're in school and they're getting big.
...I spent a lot of time with them each day I was in Cebu, and I'm working on posting more of their images here very soon.

Jan.11, 2007: Lisa & LetLet's Mother Milagros, at home with her youngest daughter Joanne

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/60s f/4.0 at 14.0mm iso100

Thanks for visitng today, and good Friday morning to you.
...it's slightly overcast and very hot & humid here on the Island today.

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:54 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

March 11, 2007: Bantayan Island, Philippines

Olympus E-1 ,Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/320s f/4.0 at 54.0mm iso200

The locals kids I see each day, listen carefully to the Priests instructions just before proceeding into Senor Santo Nino Roman Catholic Church in Ste. Fe.

Other images from last Sunday are in the posts below.
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:59 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

After months now, I have not heard back from Olympus or from their PR Firm, or from Jennifer Lyons.

I had requested some equipment support (an E1 body and a Zuiko lens) &/or Sponsorship from Olympus for my shooting here in the Philippines, and I was told my request was forwarded to their Public Relations firm who asked me to submit the request to them on letterhead, which I did.

It seems to have stalled there; I've heard nothing since.....I'll try emailing Jen Lyons again today.

My shooting is limited to the one E1 body & 14-54mm lens I own, as I can not afford a back-up E1 body, or any of their excellent f2 pro lenses, or the ultra wide angle 7-14mm (14-28mm in 35mm equiv.)

I've already had my Wacom pen/tablet die, plus the power supply to my G-Drive external 250GB hard drive, so now I'm working off my Western Digital Passport 120GB external hard drives.

Nothing's happened to the E1 as yet, and I'm thankfull for that - but I'm just asking Olympus to sponsor me with a refurbished or salesman's sample E1 body and a lens or two; I'm not asking for anything new so it's easier for them.

In the current issue of pBase.com magazine (the website where my own image Galleries are) I just read that one of the more popular photographers there, Manny Librodo - just recieved a Sponsorship from Nikon, and that's great news for Manny, as his images are exceptional and I've been a big fan of his work for the past 2 years.

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:29 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Photographed beside Casa Shane & Grace today at 5:35am

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/250s f/3.5 at 25.0mm iso200

The "Rays of Light" were back this morning just after 5:15am & I missed shooting them; they disappeared as soon as I ran outside with the camera, but the "Rays of Shadows" were appearing in the WESTERN sky, opposite the sunrise.
see the Rays of Light image here at my pBase.com Gallery

We are still trying to figure out what causes this to happen, and on opposite sides of the sky during sunrise & sunsets here - I'm getting emails & comments about it, but no answers yet.

"Rays of Shadows" - the Western Sky during the sunrise today - a quick grabshot before they disappeared only seconds later.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso200

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:12 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My friend & fellow photographer Kevin Weir just finished shooting in Mindano, and has given his permission to publish these wonderfull images below.

Kevin's also a humanitarian and cares deeply for those in need, especially the children - and frequently uses his own money to give them meals & necessities.

It pleases me to publish 3 of his images below, this morning.

Thanks Kevin,
PJAMES

Dec.19, 2006: Philippines

FujiFilm FinePix S1 Pro: 1/76s f/5.0 at 63.0mm iso320

one-eyed beggar in Illigan, Dec.20, 2006

FujiFilm FinePix S1 Pro: 1/152s f/6.2 at 77.0mm iso320

Mindano beggar, Dec.20, 2006

FujiFilm FinePix S1 Pro: 1/91s f/4.8 at 47.0mm iso320

* above images copyright Kevin Weir - all rights reserved - used with permission.

Posted by Paul James at 10:40 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1 ,Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/60s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso100

Feb.21, 2007: Manila, Philippines

One of my favorite images of Roddy's smile - please read more about her homeless nightmare in the posts below.

Rosa has been texting me weekly from Manila, and I'm waiting for an update on Rodelyn later today.
...the internet's very slow here this morning (9:05am local time on the Island), so I'm leaving shortly to get back to editing more images.

My friend and fellow photographer Kevin Weir has offered to get Roddy some clothing & necessities - so I'm going to take him up on that offer; he was very taken with Rodelyn's images last week and has been emailing me from Kuwait where he's based, and like most of my friends here in Philippines (and from pBase & dPreview.com) he has a kind heart & real compassion for children, especially those in-need.

Kevin also sent me some of his images from his recent trip to Philippines, and with his permission I'll publish some here tomorrow on the website.

Thanks Kevin!
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/125s f/3.5 at 32.0mm iso400

March 12, 2007: Bantayan Island, Philippines 6:05pm

...I was working on the laptop on some images, when I looked out at the sunset from my place - it was pretty but simple, and I decided I'd shoot outside after the sun went down.

Jumped on my bike & ventured down the dirt road thinking I'd go up towards Marikaban, when I noticed a small pathway I'd never seen before, cut through the brush off-road on my left...so I motored through, and had to go VERY slowly cause of very big chunks of volcanic rock all over the place.

I was rewarded with seeing a huge piece of land I'd never seen before, where some local fisherman gather - and where there's a small grove of coconut palms on the westside.

Seeing & standing in a grove of any kind of tall palms have always made me feel as though I am standing in the presence of something magnificent.

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:45 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

March 11, 2007: Bantayan Island, Philippines

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/640s f/3.5 at 54.0mm iso200

I absolutely love this image from yesterday's Mass at Senor Santo Nino Roman Catholic Church here.
..the exact time of the shot is 8:00am, and Mass lasts 90 minutes, with the Priest's Sermon lasting more then 30 minutes - all in Cebuano/Visayan (no English)

By 7:50am all seats inside the Church had already been taken, so it went to standing room only outside, with Church attendants bringing out plastic chairs for the growing crowd, after Mass began.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/1000s f/4.0 at 14.0mm iso200 7:58am

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:12 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/80s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso100

Feb.21, 2007: Manila Philippines

Rodelyn outside Rosa & Auntie Josie's Family shelter - she's playing with a plastic rose on of the other street kids bought at the 7-11.

It's not snow on the ground to the bottom-right of the frame - it's 'blown highlights' as we call it, from the absolutely wicked contrast caused by the bright sunlight & strong shadows cast by the building's covering over the sidewalk.

...more of Roddy's images and her homeless story in the posts below for Feb/March 2007 - if you're not familiar with who Rodelyn is, see this post:
Rodelyn's introductory Post with images

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:58 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/500s f/5.6 at 14.0mm iso100

Good Monday morning.

I got a text message on my phone yesterday with a very Positive message, and it goes well with my Sunrise images so I wanted to share it here:

"God's so crazy about you...

...He sends you a Sunrise every morning...

...flowers all year 'round...

...a Rainbow after the rain...

He owns the Universe, but prefers to live in your heart."
...good am.

I've saved that one on my mobile phone here.
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:49 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1 ,Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/100s f/4.0 at 54.0mm iso200

...from this morning's visit to Mama Helen's house - her husband David was just sitting quietly holding grandson CaliMoto, and I sat down close by and un-noticed and got this terrific shot.

Their entire Family lets me go about my business when I'm there with my camera; no one 'poses' nor do I ask them to - I shoot as they go about their daily routines, and I'm rewarded with very real images of a working poor Family with an outpouring of love and attention for everyone, including myself.

The Family's always been very good to me; in last winters Typhoon when I was stuck in the port town Hagnaya and couldn't get a Ferry Bost back to the Island, kuya David put his 17' pump boat in the sea with some swells at 7'/8' tall, and came to fetch me on a deserted beach in Hagnaya - then we sailed back to Ste. Fe through what can only be described as one hell of a roller coaster ride through wind, big waves and salt spray.

It took him 90 minutes to get me back to the Island, and he put himself at risk to do it - all because he knew i did not have the extra money needed for hotels in Cebu, when my rent was paid on the Island I couldn't get back to.....so he never thought twice, he just came when I called him.

I'll always love him for that.
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 05:01 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/25s f/3.5 at 33.0mm iso800

Often times I'll take an image I know is good enough to publish here, but still 'lacking' something - and I'll get it into Photoshop & convert it to greyscale and begin a quick process of making it into a black & white image; some of my images really do work better in b&w, I've found.

The E1's images really do not require a lot of involved 'post processing' as we call it (compared to comments from photographers using other brands of cameras), and all I do is to tweak the levels control on the light end (brightening it) , and on the black end (darkening it), and these are only slight adjustments, and are done quickly.

Here's a recent image of Rodelyn shot handheld (as always) at ISO800 and that generated some digital noise/grain throughout the image, which was cleaned up with NeatImage - software I really like, and that I also use very sparingly (I use noise redux settings there far below their defaut), and NeatImage is also able to profile my Olympus E1 camera (as well as all the other Pro SLR's from Canon, Nikon, et.all) so it 'knows' what types of noise the E1 files generate, at various ISO's.

Thanks for visiting today, and thanks to my friend & fellow photographer Kevin Weir for his recent emails and compassion for Roddy, as well as to webmaster Steve for all the texts to my mobile here, back & forth - trying to find a solution for her, and some funds for her needs when I see her again later this month or early April, before I have to return to the US.

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:54 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

please visit ComunidadTulay to see more

Concha & compadres have always been such a great help promoting Project Rice on their Spanish language website TULAY, which deals with issues concerning adoption of Philippine children overseas.

I just looked at TULAY and there's a beautiful layout of Rodelyn's photos and story on their front page, and I wanted to say THANK YOU here to Concha & Family for helping to keep pRice alive and in both English AND Spanish, via their TULAY website.

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 10:49 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/320s f/5.6 at 54.0mm iso100

Yesterday on my motorcycle I was leaving Bantayan Town and again saw the Old Man I'd given my slippers to, two days ago (see an earlier post below) again he was walking in the road away from the Plaza, and this time I did have my camera with me, so I pulled off to the roadside & waited for him to pass by.

I waived to him as he passed - he was completely covered up in layers of clothing to avoid burning in the sun - and just after this shot he recognized me and started to cross traffic to walk over to me - but I was afraid he'd get hit by the motors & tricycads, so I tried to shout over to him to just stay there.

His speach was slurred, like a stroke victim speaks - and he didn't speak any English - but he was wearing the slippers I'd taken off my feet & gave to him two days ago; I was really happy to see that.

The image above is just a quick grabshot - but from the looks of it, my slippers look just a bit too large for him, so I'm going out today to get a smaller pair to keep inside the bike, so when I see him again I can give him a brand new pair that fit his feet better.

Thanks for reading today,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 09:50 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

March 3, 2007: Shane & Grace celebrate the Blessing of their new home by the sea.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/250s f/4.5 at 14.0mm iso100

My neighbors & good friends Shane from the UK & his wife of 10 years Grace from Davao celebrated the Blessing of their new home this past weekend, with all our friends attending.

Shane & Grace are good people - if you ever needed help, or were in trouble, or had issues of any kind - they're always right there to help.

I have more senic shots of their house which was just completed a few months ago, than anyone else on the Island - you can usually see the house in many sunrise/sunset images I'll be publishing in my Galleries this year, and it's a fantastic property that sits accross the road from the sea.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/125s f/3.1 at 27.0mm iso100

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/125s f/2.8 at 14.0mm iso100

My neighbors & friends Annabel in the middle (smiling in white), Alan from the UK to the left (with shaved head) and Pat from the USA on the right, in blue.

PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 09:31 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

read the Olympus Pro SLR news release here from dpreview.com

Yes, it's exciting to finally see (a mock-up only) images of the successor to my E1 - code named "P1" and yes I'm disappointed there's no real camera to ogle at this point in time.

We're still waiting on it's proposed resolution also - everyone is still speculating on 10 megapixels, 12MP or more...for whenever it finally shows up sometime 'later in 2007'

In the meantime, I'm still shooting my E1 everyday here in the Philippines - I shot my neighbor Shane's House Blessing over the past weekend - his big house sits right on the cliffs above the sea, and the next morning noticed my Olympus 14-54mm lens was coated with that hazy, waxy sea-spray residue.

But both the E1 body & the lens are weather-sealed, so a quick wipe down & we were back in business - no issues.

Same deal with these dusty, rock filled back roads here - the camera's always got dust on the outside of the body & the lens after I've had it out - but the E1 was made to operate in humid, dusty & wet environments (exactly like where I am in Philippines), so I really never have to think about these things, and I shoot the Olympus E1 exclusively.

see 2 other new compact Olympus SLR's here on the Olympus website

March 6, 2007: This morning's sunrise - looking to the east at 5:53am, then a shot looking due west at 6:08am

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/640s f/5.6 at 54.0mm iso100

...and looking due west this morning with the Moon still high in the sky.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/800s f/5.0 at 37.0mm iso100

Thanks for reading today,
PJ

Posted by Paul James at 09:59 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Feb.24, 2007 - Island sunset

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/80s f/3.3 at 40.0mm iso400

Good Monday morning - I rode all the way to Madridejos at the top of the Island yesterday, and on the way back passed through Bantayan Town, and noticed a 70-75 year old man in really bad shape (walking very slowly, unkempt with very dirty clothing) bending down in the middle of the road to try to fix his slipper (sandal/flip-flop) which had broke while he was walking....I noticed his slippers were way beyond repair anyway.

Trying to cross the street there at the intersection is bad enough, but this gentleman was clearly in danger of getting hit by a passing triciad or worse, so I told myself 'I'm going to swing around with a u-turn and find this guy...and give him my slippers (I had on a pair of red Beach Walks, same as the old man)

I only had P20 (40 cents USD) in my pocket at that time, and a pair of new slippers would have been P30 at least, so I wouldn't have been able to buy him a pair of new ones.

And I did just that - took off my slippers & drove off barefoot to find him, and I found him at the Plaza standing next to a candy vendor, and I just drove right up to him and handed him my slippers, saying 'these are for you, Sir'

He took the slippers, but didn't seem to even notice me - he didn't say a word & didn't seem very coherant at all; his eyes were a million miles away.

The candy vendor noticed what I did & was grinning & telling the other trike drivers there, as if it were funny - so I just rode away quickly after the old man took his new slippers, as to not cause a scene.

But I did look over my shoulder as I rode away barefoot, and the old man's eyes were lit up - he was balancing himself on a bench while putting on one slipper & I think it fit him perfectly (size 11)

I rode out through the intersection & smiled - I really wanted to just stay there with him for a few minutes, but didn't want other Filipinos laughing at him because a foriegner gave him the slippers off his feet - so I smiled & noticed how strange it is riding a motorcycle while barefoot......it's not very safe to do and I'd never ever recommend it to anyone driving a motorcycle...but I thought these were extenuating circumstances, his needing what I already had on my own feet.

The hot sun yesterday felt really good on my feet as I rode home - and I hope my old slippers felt as comfortable to that old man.

I hope I see him again in town.
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 11:52 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Feb.20, 2007: Manila Philippines

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/25s f/3.5 at 33.0mm iso800

..one of my favorite images of Rodelyn, no longer homeless of of this date - more of her images are in the posts below.

It's another ISO800 shot at 1/25 second hand-held shot I shouldn't have been able to make - thank you Olympus:)
PJAMES

re: Olympus digital SLR's - Olympus is planning a major announcement regarding their NEW SLR's on March 5, 2007, and possibly the successor to my E1 will be announced at that time, so check the Olympus link here and we'll see what they have in store for us.

Posted by Paul James at 11:11 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Feb 18, 2007 - Bantayan Sunset - looking west from Sugar Beach at the coast where my place is

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/500s f/3.2 at 14.0mm iso200

Good Saturday morning, and thank you to fellow photographer Michael Bowers from the UK, and Pete Magras who found my images online, for their support in donating funds for Rice & clothing for Rodelyn & Rosa's Family when I see them later this month in Manila - at least now I don't have to tell auntie Josie and the kids 'Im sorry - but I just don't have anything for you this time...'

Thankfully I do not have to say that to them often, but I did have to tell them that last month in Manila, and Rosa seemed to understand, but now with having to get some clothes for both her & Rodelyn, I don't have to think about where that money will come from.

Thanks to fellow photographer Jeremy Green for the link on his website www.purplealien.com

...Jeremy found my images online and is very supportive of my photography & my efforts here in Philippines, and has been kind enough to post about me on his site, so please check it out and peruse his photography as well.

I need to work on getting more of my images published this year, and possibly organizing a small show when I get back to the US - if any of you are associated with publications of individuals who are buying/licensing photography, please drop me an email with your ideas, it's very much appreciated.

I especially think I need agency representation - if any of you are associated or involved with photo agencies, or who have contacts in the industry, please email me.

Manila, Feb.20, 2007 - Rosa at home, outside her shelter - I really like this simple image of her.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/20s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso400

Have a great day & thanks for stopping by.
PJ

Posted by Paul James at 09:40 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Still having issues here on the website - I can't post more then one image inside a post, and although I AM able to make my first post of the day with an image, I can not post images anymore after that, excepting a strictly text post.

Steve Griffith is in communication with MoveableType tech support & has opened a ticket, and until they get it resolved I'm limited to one post per day with an image.

Thanks for your patience, and I'm so sorry for the snafu.
...I believe I caused it when last week I went into the site & changed the timezone from whatever it was (EST/New York) to our current time zone here in Philippines.

After a re-build is when these issues occured.

Back to Rodelyn's images: February 20, 2007 in Manila.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/20s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso800

1/20 sec. available light @ ISO800 makes for a difficult shot & I got lucky with this one, as I don't have the steadiest hands in the world.

Roddy playing with Jordan, Rosa's Family watchdog; he's great with the kids.
...Jordan protects the shelter & would not ever let in an un-invited person, and I'm happy the Family is protected, especially at night where they are in Metro Manila.

I've seen Jordan in action and believe me, you wouldn't want this dog mad at you.

Good job Jordan:)

As for Rodelyn, Steve Griffith has been communicating with Rosa's Auntie Josie about her situation (being recently rescued from living on the street, etc), and more information is beginning to surface.

From what Steve is texting me, apparantly Rodelyn was staying with one of her aunties in Manila and either left unhappy &/or simply ran away, and Josie has told Steve she believes her aunite may be looking for her.

So this is newly serious information to be sorted out, because Steve has friends in Philippines who have expressed serious interest in taking Rodelyn in & giving her a home, putting her into school, etc.

I'll post more information as it comes in - but whatever happens, we all just want Rodelyn happy & safe - with food to eat, clean clothes, and in-school (she speaks nearly perfect English but has never attended any school; she's 11 years old)

Many Thanks for checking back in today.
...overcast, cloudy & very humid here in Philippines this morning - but the breeze that disappeard a few days ago has come back, and that's a real blessing.

Bandwith slowly comming back to the Island through GlobeLines - it seems at 85pct. of what is was before the Taiwan quake in December 2006.
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 09:58 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/40s f/3.5 at 14.0mm iso800

Shot inside at ISO800, available light no flash.

Rosa's auntie Josie tries very hard to make this abandoned building into a home that's as comfortable as they can make it.

Small furniture, floor coverings, bedding, cups & plates etc. are all here, as well as the small TV.
...there's no running water, but there is a pipe that brings a bit of water from inside a wall, so they can wash clothes & bathe.

Each time I'm there, they always pull up a chair for me & offer me whatever's cooking, since they do have a small gas 1-burner stove for rice & boiling water, etc.

They also all gather around Josie at night to read from the Bible, and to give Thanks for what they have been Blessed with, even being in as run-down a building as this one.

Good Thursday morning to you all,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 09:53 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Feb.21, 2007: Manila Philippines
Outside Rosa's shelter where she's been for a while now, since sleeping on the street through 2005.

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/160s f/3.5 at 33.0mm iso100

Thanks to Webmaster Steve again for getting the image display issues sorted out overnight - posting today seems fine so far.

This is a new image of Rosa & her brother Edison - Rosa's 12 now & Edison's 10.
...she had her Birthday in November 2006 while I was there, and 'll be posting those images soon (I was able to get her school shoes she required, a huge Birthday cake that everyone from the street shared; it was a very nice impromptu Party we had for her)

She deserves it.

Thanks for comming back today,
PJAMES

Posted by Paul James at 09:35 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)