Finally a few street shots from Intramuros to close out this short series.
Spanish architecture and horse drawn carts
“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign”
Waiting at the cantina
Walking on water. The hyacinth guy
Intricately carved wooden doors highlight even more outstanding architecture at Manila Cathedral
Fort Santiago, also contained “within the walls” of Intramuros is a Spanish bastion also built in the 1500’s by Spanish navigator Miguel Lopes de Legazpi. It is the oldest Spanish bastion in the country and is a site that has witnessed many major historical events in Philippine history. Like the nearby Manila Cathedral, the old fort has been rebuilt over the years, again due to damage caused by natural and manmade disasters, most recently following severe damage inflicted on the structure during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Today, the immaculately presented site makes for a pleasant stroll to soak up the history of the area.
The main entrance to the Fort
Map of Fort Santiago
The main gate
The buildings still bear the scars of the Battle of Manila. Bullet holes abound.
Looking back to the entrance.
Mostly now settled in to my new home in Manila it’s time to explore.
Manila Cathedral, is located in Intramuros (literally “within the walls”), of the old city of Manila. First constructed in 1581. The Cathedral has undergone many rebuilds due to damage by various natural and man made disasters since then, most recently following the Second World War, when Intramuros was the site of the last stand of Japanese forces.
During the Battle of Manila, February to March 1945, it is estimated that 100,000 people lost their lives. The Japanese forces were entrenched in the city and were routed by American and Philippine forces under the command of General Douglas McArthur.
During the course of the month long battle the Japanese torched the city while the Americans bombed it, giving Manila, previously known as “the Pearl of the Orient” the unenviable distinction of being the third most devastated capital city of the Second World War after only Berlin and Warsaw.
Well, its been a long time between blog posts, basically since the start of the plague. I have a lot of catching up to do but after a four month “stay at home” lockdown in Saigon it was great to get my shoot on last week with my muse, Alina Van. This was essentially an outdoor nude shoot but a few of the pre wardrobe drop photo’s are posted below to give an idea of the locations. The light wasn’t great, it was direct, hard, mid morning light but you don’t always get to choose when you shoot and you simply have to work with, and make the best of what you have. In any case it was fantastic to be out and shooting again. More to come.
The test shot
The Warm Up
Changing places.
I just love to get my long exposure photography on, particularly in Paris. There’s just something about being out early in the morning, before the crowds, finding a composition that I like, setting up and slowing down, taking in the sounds and sights with this iconic city laid out at my feet, and having it almost to myself. Some of my most memorable Paris moments have been spent doing exactly this.
Pont Neuf and the Isle de la Citie from Pont Des Arts.
Pont des Arts
Luxembourg Palace
The Pantheon.
Notre Dame Cathedral shrouded in scaffolding.
The Palace of Justice.
Pont Neuf and the Eiffel Tower.
Looking down river towards Notre Dame Cathedral from Pont de la Concorde.
Turn 180 degree’s on Pont de la Concorde from the previous frame and this is the view. Paris, laid out at my feet in every direction and hardly a person in sight!
The Eiffel Tower in the blue hour, shot from the 58th floor viewing deck of the Montparnasse Tower.
Final stop on this European (working) Vacation was Paris. The City of Light, The City of Love, call it what you will Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world to visit, to photograph in, to eat in and simply to be in. Photographing there is a joy that I never tire of, and each time when I leave, I can’t wait to return.
To begin with a cliche!
And not so cliched.
The morning baguette run. Quintessentially French.
Notre Dame Cathedral gawking.
Luxembourg Gardens at dawn, which was conveniently timed at 7am!!!!
Dramatic early morning light somewhere near the Pantheon.
The French Tricolour peeps out on the rooftop of the Pantheon.
Light and shadow at the Sorbonne.
Water Police drill by jumping off a perfectly good bridge. Who knew?
“The Revolution will be feminist or it will not be.” And with that the culprit makes his escape!
Montparnasse Tower casts a long shadow over Luxembourg Gardens at sunset.
Have’s and Have Not.
My Daily Bread.
The fnac building on Rue Montparnasse never disappoints for a reflection shot.
Code Red.
