Just watched The Dark Knight and it reminded of of this shot that we (Chay & Dexter) made in Central Park, New York - Jodie Foster probably shot in the same location during The Brave One. Also trying out some effects with this shot to make it look like a scene from a graphic novel (read ‘comics’) and this is how it came out tonight. (Yes, the title is not a typo, it is ‘…Night…’)

In my humble opinion, this latest Dark Knight movie is quite deep and not the usual commercial movie that the typical Spiderman 3 crowd will appreciate. Probably like the type of clients wanting to see some alternative concepts every now and then.

A lady in waiting, two guys in the background, and further back is a mother holding her dear daughter walking away from the tunnel.

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And this one is a ’sultry’ look from our bride Mitch during her dress-up time in Chateau Briand, also in New York a few days before the postnup above. Her look also reminds me of a film noir movie. Another ‘brave one’ while dressing up (or is it dressing down).

What really happened in our post-nup in Palos Verdes is still a blurred memory from my past (probably from too much contemplation inside the ‘trunk’).

It’s like a painting from a dream, slowly transforming itself, revealing the details.

For now this is all what I can remember . . .

Tune in next time as I get to put in more details . . . I have ‘to close my eyes and feel the wind’ (the colored full panoramic version, dreaming soon).

[July 19]

Just came from a wedding tonight, it’s a shoot together w/ my friend John Mateos Ong. Did some ‘aftershoot’ chores tonight. Still hazy but some colors are coming to mind . . .

[This special photojourn report really happened when I was in the Los Angeles freeway with Cathy and Ray on our way to our special postnup mission. The actual shots happened inside our car w/ only a few moments to spare. My quickie trigger happy finger did the 'shooting'.]

What’s inside our ‘trunk’ can be found here.

Pretty much like her cutie bunny, one month old baby Marlene was mostly sleeping throughout her special day, but towards the end of this photo video, she wakes up and you can tell a different light in her eyes. We also end it with a photo of her looking at her mom Mylene.

[Some of Mylene's friends who will be watching this video don't understand Tagalog, the song is about a baby being cradled in the arms of her 'nanay', tagalog for 'mommy'. I hope the tune of this song more than makes up for the composition I had in mind.]

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My last shoot in LA wouldn’t have been possible w/o the help of my cousins Myrna and Fernando who not only drove all the way to Simi Valley but also brought their Nikons along shooting with me as a team. I have incorporated their shots here in this video, I really couldn’t have done it without them. Many thanks to my kabalen in LA!

Here are some one-photo sneak peeks of my US escapades. Each one is presented with a different texture for variety and character.

Mitch (Chateau Briand, New York)

Chay (postnup w/ Dexter in New York’s subway)

Margot and Demetrius (prenup in Pennsylvania)

Cathy’s great day (wedding and postnup in Los Angeles)

And my last shoot was on my departure date, it was the baptism of Mylene’s one month old angel . . .

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Many thanks to Mich, Chay, Margot, Mylene and special mention goes to Cathy who was the first one to book me last year and was my major sponsor for this trip. I will continue to provide you with personalized service regarding albums and other deliverables in the near future!

Whether it’s the East Coast or the West I always try to partner w/ local contacts during my US weddings so that my clients can avail of a better photo coverage similar to our Philippine setup.

During Mich and Conrad’s wedding in New York, Glenn Maningas or mypinoywedding.com gladly offered me the services of Roel Brutas as my associate photographer while his team did the video for Mich and Conrad’s wedding. Roel and Glenn are my friends way back in 2006 when we also did Chi and Cris’ wedding in PA.

[Left to Right: Roel, Roel's wife Joy (doing the video), me, Ruth (Glenn's 2nd videographer/onsite editor) , Glenn]

For LA, I am honored to be joined by Ryan Anson, another award winning photojournalist from WPJA as we covered Cathy and Ray’s wedding.

Many thanks guys and hope we can all team up together for future US engagements.

On the street where we live . . .

Our neighbors closed our street so cars can’t come in . . .

People picnic outside and cook some barbecue . . .

Children line up . . .

To get pies thrown at their faces . . .

Guys point at their neighbor’s houses . . .

To become targets of high flying water balloons . . .

And later knock on the doors to apologize for hitting them . . .

On the street where we live . . .

Some walk barefoot on their lawns and pavements . . .

While dogs roam free to walk around as they please

And guys and gals bike freely, while listening to loud rock music . . .

People are happy, on the street where we live . . .

. . . and that’s because this happens only once a year,
and probably only on the street where we live . . .

Happy 4th of July!

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[Just a quickie no pressure non-wedding photojourn feature. In actuality, I was holed up inside my room for the most part of the day rushing to meet deadlines as usual. Needed a little breather and a breath of fresh air.]

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Many many thanks to my very generous host and good friend Eric, his wife Beth and their kids Colby and Slade for letting me stay in their home in Redondo Beach. Will truly miss you guys!

Photo below was taken when we did their family shoot overlooking Point Vicente beach.