Food for Thought: Confessions of a Photo Lover

One of the best things that happened to me on my way to Manila for the holidays was when our plane flew over the Taal Volcano. It was around 6:00 am in the morning and majority of the passengers were asleep (my mom, sister and cousin included). I felt like I was in a state of bliss as I gaped and stared at the natural wonder. I was in a deep state of awe that I forgot all about my camera, hence the lack of a photo. But hey, it made it even more special. It also made me realize that our eyes are the best lenses there are in the world. No device can ever compete with the beauty that our eyes can see. Don't get me wrong. I find photography an art and a way of living. I happen to revel in it too. But have you ever wondered how sometimes no matter how we angle our shots, they still don't appear as vivid and beautiful as the way we see them?

As a blogger and as someone who loves to record memories and capture time stand still, taking photos has been second nature as much as writing has been. However, I guess there are times when it is best to put the camera and the pen down and instead enjoy the beauty laid before you. Or at least, give yourself ample time to enjoy things before taking a snap of them. I believe the key to taking great photos is admiring the beauty first before looking through the lens. You can't tell a story as best as you could unless you've experienced it yourself. After all, cameras were fashioned after our sense of sight. This thought was also very timely because it's what I did during my whole trip and it made it far more different than those that I've taken previously. How about you? What are your thoughts regarding the matter?

Seeing the Taal Volcano in midair was such a spectacle. I could not even explain how I felt at the time. Did you know that it is one of the smallest volcanoes in the world and is situated in a lake, has a lake inside it with an even smaller island in it? I may have not been able to take photos in midair but I found these great shots by talented photographers to better illustrate to you what I meant. I'd like to thank them for allowing me to feature their shots here. You can also consult Mr. Google if you want.

Photography by Bob Ferrer of Bob Gan Ferrer Fotografia

Photography by Joe A. Barrera

PS: I think I rambled way too much today. Oops. I've got twelve to fifteen more travel posts to share regarding my recent trip to Manila so better be prepared for more of my 'ramblings'. And yes, I enjoyed the view with my own eyes first before I picked up my camera.