Photo Diaries

Photographers Explore Daang Kalikasan (Mangatarem)

in , , ,

Photographer Angelo Mendoza and I explore the picturesque mountain highway of Daang Kalikasan on the Mangatarem, Pangasinan side. On this overnight trip, we witnessed a beautiful sunset, fires on the hills, a surreal full moon night with a hint of the Milky Way, and a perfect sunrise to cap things off. Shot in February 2020, shortly before its abrupt closure due to over-tourism.

Shot and Edited by Aaron Palabyab

Still Photography and Additional Aerial and Mobile Footage by Angelo Mendoza

Follow us on Instagram:

http://instagram.com/aaronpalabyab

http://instagram.com/angelomendo

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound

Watch more of Photographers Explore: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAoL430ePuoOAzbm_k2xojx_DbuvWim2d

GEAR USED

  • Aaron: GoPro Hero 7 Black

  • Fujifilm X-T3 + XF 16-80mm f/4, 18-55mm f/2.8-f/4 courtesy of  @FUJIFILM PHILIPPINES 

  • Sony A7RII

  • Sony FE 24-240 f/3.5-6.3, Laowa 15mm f/2

  • DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

  • RODE Videomic + Deadcat

  • Peak Design Travel Tripod (carbon fiber)

  • Benro Aero 2 Video Travel Angel Tripod

  • iPhone X MeFoto Roadtrip Travel Tripod

  • Angelo: Fujifilm X-T3, Fujifilm X-T30, DJI Mavic 2 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max

Subscribe to my channel - http://www.youtube.com/AaronPalabyabChannel

Facebook: http://facebook.com/a.palabyab

Business Contact / Licensing: aaron [at] aaronpalabyab.com

Exploring the PHILIPPINE EAST COAST (Aurora to Isabela) with the Chevy Trailblazer

in , , , ,

Travel photographer Angelo Mendoza and I go on a weeklong road trip up the beautiful, isolated east coast of Luzon, Philippines, from the province of Aurora to Isabela. With the help of local friends and a capable car, we were able to explore far past the usual spots in search of the best spots.

In Part 1, we drive up from Manila to Baler and then all the way up the coast to the northernmost municipality of Aurora, Dilasag, taking many leisurely stops to shoot (and eat) along the way.

In Part 2, we drive off the road deep into the forests of the Sierra Madre to visit two isolated waterfalls: peaceful Singip Falls in Dilasag, Aurora, and the stunning 100+ meter-high Dibulo Falls in Dinapigue, Isabela.

In Part 3, day 4 of our adventure, we begin with a perfect moonset/sunrise at Parang Hills in Dilasag, Aurora, then drive to Dinapigue, Isabela and glimpse its stunning coast and blue waters for the first time. We stay at the beach til sundown and witness a spectacular moonrise over the ocean.

In Part 4, the last two days of our road trip, we shoot sunrise along a stunning stretch of coast in Dinapigue, Isabela, then drive down to Casiguran and then Dinalungan, Aurora. We come back up to Casiguran for sunset at a rice field, then end our trip with sunrise at Tabon Beach, Dinalungan, Aurora.

Special thanks to Chevrolet Philippines for letting us test drive the 2.8L Trailblazer Z71 4x4 for a whole week! The trip wouldn’t have been possible without it. The car was an absolute dream to drive both on the highway and off road, with lots of power combined with a smooth ride and comfortable amenities. I felt a confidence behind the wheel particularly on the twisty roads leading to Baler as well as the sketchy roads going to and around Dinapigue, especially the long and sometimes sketchy off-road segment going to Dibulo Falls. Find out more about this car by going to your nearest Chevrolet dealership or visiting www.chevrolet.com.ph.

PHOTOGRAPHERS EXPLORE THE PHILIPPINE EAST COAST

Shot and Edited by Aaron Palabyab

Photography and Additional Footage by Angelo Mendoza

Watch more of Photographers Explore!

Follow us on Instagram:

http://instagram.com/aaronpalabyab

http://instagram.com/angelomendo

GEAR USED

  • Sony A7RII + Sony 24-240 f/3.5-6.3

  • Sony A6300 + Sony 18-105 f/4

  • Laowa 15mm f/2

  • Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8

  • DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

  • Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini tracking mount

  • MeFoto Roadtrip Travel Tripod

  • Benro Aero 2 Video Travel Angel Tripod

  • Angelo: Fujifilm X-T30

Edited in FCP X

Color grading with Color Finale Pro and SkyGrades Natural LUTs for DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

Let’s connect!

A Photo and Time-lapse Journey Through the CORDILLERAS

in , , ,

For five days, travel photographer Angelo Mendoza and I explored the Philippine Cordilleras, going off the beaten path in search of grand but unseen views and waiting to catch the most amazing light. In the process, we had one of the most incredible travel experiences of our lives, right up there with my most memorable adventures abroad.

CORDILLERA MOUNTAIN LIGHT is the time-lapse film that came of it, also including footage shot over the past year in Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Kalinga.

The first two episodes of our PHOTOGRAPHERS EXPLORE series documents our unforgettable journey in search of those shots.

In part 1, we explore along the Halsema Highway, following it across Benguet and into Mountain Province, fall in love with Mt. Mogao in Tadian, and eventually stumble upon the most spectacular, unforgettable sunset.

In part 2, we move on from Tadian into the lesser-known Central Cordillera of Ilocos Sur, starting with the town of Cervantes. From there, we head up and explore up and down the dramatic, steeply-rising Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road, with its majestic views of the valley in Cervantes and the mountains of Mountain Province. We visit Bessang Pass and search for viewpoints while dealing with erratic weather, and finally drive all the way down west to the coast, seeing some of the most beautiful little-known mountain roads of the Cordillera along the way.

CREDITS

Produced by Angelo Mendoza & Aaron Palabyab

Shot and edited by Aaron Palabyab

Still Photography by Angelo Mendoza

Aerial and time-lapse photography by Aaron Palabyab

Additional videography and time-lapse by Angelo Mendoza

Additional Still Photography by Aaron Palabyab

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

http://instagram.com/aaronpalabyab

http://instagram.com/angelomendo

Shooting the Supermoon! (with no moon)

in , ,

No super blood wolf moon in the Philippines, but a supermoon is always worth shooting for! Today Angelo and I rendezvous in Quezon City and try to figure out if we can find a good spot to catch what could be an epic full moonrise despite the very cloudy conditions.

Our previous all-night astrophotography adventure in Zambales: https://youtu.be/XVz5ax20iRw

Follow Angelo Mendoza on Instagram: https://instagram.com/angelomendo

Gear used:

Sony A7RII

Sony FE 24-240 f/3.5-6.3

MeFoto Roadtrip Aluminum Tripod

Vlog shot on iPhone X

Edited on FCP X

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound

Subscribe to my channel - http://www.youtube.com/AaronPalabyabChannel

Instagram: http://instagram.com/aaronpalabyab

Facebook: http://facebook.com/a.palabyab

Twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronpalabyab

All Night Astrophotography Adventure in Zambales!

in , , , ,

An all-night astrophotography adventure in search of great night skies in Zambales to practice shooting with my new star tracker, the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini. Photographer Angelo Mendoza and I explore more areas of San Felipe and Botolan for landscape photography, starry landscapes, and time-lapse.

Mobile astrophotography stacking tutorial

Our previous photography road trip to Zambales

Follow Angelo Mendoza on Instagram

Don't forget to subscribe to see the final time-lapse film!

Gear used:

Vlog shot on iPhone X

Edited on FCP X

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound

Subscribe to my channel - http://www.youtube.com/AaronPalabyabChannel

Instagram: http://instagram.com/aaronpalabyab

Facebook: http://facebook.com/a.palabyab

Twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronpalabyab

Business Contact / Licensing: aaron [at] aaronpalabyab.com

A Time-lapse and Landscape Photography Trip to Zambales!

in , , ,

Behind-the-scenes vlog of a landscape photography and time-lapse road trip with photographer Angelo Mendoza in Zambales, Philippines, in search of spots for sunset, astro landscapes, and sunrise. We explore the area and I share some insights and shooting tips along the way!

Find Angelo's amazing work at http://instagram.com/angelomendo

Special thanks to Sorrento Sunwear for sponsoring my sunnies. I'm impressed with their high quality but affordable HD polarized sunglasses that I've traveled with a lot over the past few months. In this video I'm wearing their Jetsetters. Find them here:

https://sorrentosunwear.com

https://www.instagram.com/sorrentosunwear

My gear in this video:

  • Sony A7RII

  • Sony 24-240 f/3.5-6.3

  • Samyang 24mm f/1.4

  • Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8

  • MePhoto RoadTrip tripod

  • Formatt Hitech Firecrest 10-stop ND Filter

  • Rode Videomic (2nd gen)

  • iPhone X

  • Boya BY-MM1 mini shotgun mic

Subscribe to my channel - http://www.youtube.com/AaronPalabyabChannel

72 Hours in Armenia

in , , ,
72 Hours in Armenia

Prior to doing the Grand Trans-Siberian Express, we went on a whirlwind three-day tour of Armenia. Like most people from this part of the world, I had very little, if any, preconceptions about Armenia, and what I found is a country with a deep, ancient history, fierce pride, and beautiful people. I hope to have captured some of that experience in the video above.

Read More