Island of Biri: An Escape to Northern Samar, Philippines

gregie27 · Apr 2, 2010

"Never Stop Exploring!" How do you feed such drive? How do you do it? These were the questions I have now that another vacation is coming. It's been 3 months since my last shoot in the Islands of Dumaguete, Siquijor and Apo but still it brings back memories of the sheer adventure I've had. I want to do it again!

Leyte/Tacloban keeps popping out of the picture but where and how do I start? The place is huge and rumored to be filled with NPA and hilohilo (locals put poison in food). I'm stuck! It's in a meeting with fellow Cebu Digital Photographers that we finally narrowed down the Next Safari. With everything that has been said I braved this trip with two things in mind Landscape and to Reflect. Allow me to present my Escape to Northern Samar in a quaint Island called BIRI.

ISO 50 l 20mm l f13 l 4sec l 5DMK2 l 17-40L l Kenko Nd8 l Singh Ray "Daryl Benson Reverse Grad" 3 Stops

Experience in 1280 res > http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4483782798_450e7c1711_o.jpg

gregie27 · Apr 3, 2010

I saw this kid picking up shells on the shores of Biri. He said that only during low-tide that they can walk this far from the main land and harvest them with ease . He sells them in the market which he then uses to buy bread for lunch.

At the back you can see Mangroves or "Bakawan" plantation that stretches almost halfway going to to the rock formations. Just like the Mangroves I've seen in Panglao, Bohol locals plant them to keep their marine ecosystem balance and to bring in more fish. By the way see the rock formation in the middle that's where I shot my opening image. Awesome Light and View!

ISO 50 l 27mm l f13 l 15sec l 5DMK2 l 17-40L l KENKO ND400 l MARUMI CPL l Singh Ray "Daryl Benson Reverse Grad" 3 Stops

carlos91 · Apr 3, 2010

great captures

gregie27 · Apr 9, 2010

Fact#1 Where is Biri Island?

Biri Island is one island in a cluster of about 18 off the northern end of Samar. The island cluster is known as the balicuartro Islands. You will find Biri Island the most northerly, in the straits which divide the main Island of Luzon and the Island of Samar. This strait is responsible for moving nearly 70% of the water that flows in and out of the Visayas, the strait is known as the San Bernardino Strait. So you can imagine that the tidal current can be ferocious.

source> Biri Tourism

ISO 50 l 17mm l f13 l .7sec l 5DMK2 l 17-40L l Kenko Nd8 l Singh Ray "Daryl Benson Reverse Grad" 3 Stops

gregie27 · Apr 10, 2010

This shot was taken on top of a cliff at the far side of the beach. Despite of its beauty a lot of mystical stories go around Biri. My guide narrated that the Island is guarded by an Engkantada/ Fairy which was once a local of this town. She was abducted by Engkantos when she was just a little girl to rule over their kingdom. Sightings of the fairy were documented in photos, videos and actual encounter of the locals.

If ever you do visit Biri have a guide with you wherever you go especially going to places that involves trekking. You can easily get lost and "be played" upon by these elements. My guide also said that if your in a group don't get rowdy because accidents happen if ever they are disturbed. I guess the perfect word is Respect.

ISO 50 l 17mm l f13 l 1.5sec l 5DMK2 l 17-40L l KENKO ND8 l Singh Ray "Daryl Benson Reverse Grad" 3 Stops

CNCO · Apr 10, 2010

i noticed that your iso is 50 for all images. how do you know what setting to use? i use 1600 all the time. should i not?

Kethaneni · Apr 11, 2010

Love #2. :thumbup::thumbup: Can you post the color one too, just to see what it looked like.

gregie27 · Apr 12, 2010

CNCO said:
i noticed that your iso is 50 for all images. how do you know what setting to use? i use 1600 all the time. should i not?

hi I use Iso 50 most of the time because noise buildup is very minimal and it preserves the details once i zoom on it. I seldom bump it up to Iso 400 also depends on light condition, but this is during sunrise or sunset.

keep it to 100 iso, what time of the day do you shoot?

gregie27 · Apr 12, 2010

Kethaneni said:
Love #2. :thumbup::thumbup: Can you post the color one too, just to see what it looked like.

thanks keth

I'll post it soon. cheerio!

gregie27 · Apr 12, 2010

I just finished reading the book Developing Vision and Style: A Landscape Photography Masterclass by Joe Cornish, Charlie White and David Ward. I learned a lot from this book and once again I'm inspired! I'd like to share one of the photogs in this book, Mike McFarlane he said "I like to be in places that no else went to, often places where people weren't meant to go and if this meant scrambling down a cliff or over a wall, then so be it, I just had to be there..."

ISO 50 l 29mm l f16 l 30sec l 5DMK2 l 17-40L l Kenko Nd400 l Marumi Cpl l Singh Ray "Daryl Benson Reverse Grad" 3 Stops

Experience in 1440 res> http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/4514106043_1ba6f40d09_o.jpg

The Empress · Apr 13, 2010

Great shots! The second one is my favorite

I would also like to see it in color!

cnutco · Apr 13, 2010

Very nice photos! Love the colors and those skys!

gregie27 · Apr 14, 2010

cnutco said:
Very nice photos! Love the colors and those skys!

The Empress said:
Great shots! The second one is my favorite I would also like to see it in color!

thanks cnutco and empress! cheerio!:thumbup:

gregie27 · Apr 14, 2010

I took this image while i was heading back to town I though it's going to be a failed sunset shoot but all of a sudden this explosion of magenta, orange, and red hues filled up the sky. I was so excited quickly got my camera bumped Iso to 200 and did some long exposures. I wish I had more chance to shoot sunset in Biri since most of the time weather was not cooperating. Now, there's a reason to go back...

ISO 200 l 19mm l f11 l 10sec l 5DMK2 l 17-40L l Marumi Cpl l Singh Ray "Daryl Benson Reverse Grad" 3 Stops

gregie27 · Apr 16, 2010

Good morning there!

During my stay in Biri I found out that the place is ruled by the Dela Cruz Clan. Almost everyone I talk to it's either they're cousins or related by blood. I met Councilor "Dodoy" Dela Cruz while I was walking around town and taking picture of the locals. He asked me what i'm going to do with the pictures and after which he invited me for dinner. Along the conversation he shared his goal to push tourism, to showcase Biri's beaches and rock formations. In a small way we have the same thing in mind and by taking pictures hopefully those who sees it will give them interest to visit their quaint Island.

ISO 100 l 17mm l f13 l .7sec l 5DMK2 l 17-40L l Kenko Nd8 l Singh Ray "Daryl Benson Reverse Grad" 3 Stops