Boracay in My Dreams, a photo from Aklan, Western Visayas

Photographer's Note

Last year around this time, I went to Boracy. I told myself that I will go back to this beautiful island in my home country this year. I am breaking my promise. I will go to Vietnam instead next week. (We have a two-week break from school.)

Boracay is a beautiful place. But what it makes it extra beautiful are the people in the island. They flaunt their enthusiasm, they set the fire in their hearts aglow, they show colorful spirit inside out.

I took this picture a few minutes before the sun starts to set. I didn't get the blue sky or the golden sun BUT I get the colors of this sailboat and the action of the people therein. That, for me, is the essence of Boracay.

Oh, well, Boracay in my dreams. I'll get to you this year...

carper, eleparc, nwoehnl, CVTJan, avigur_11, mortimer, ChrisJ, sunny, femkevdh, robbertjan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Darren (6823) 2004-04-03 23:58

Hi Manny. Please don't get me wrong, but what I see in this photo is an example of how much you have improved over the past year. This shot is a little tightly cropped, especially cutting off the top of the mast, overall too dark and not creatively composed. All this is in my opinion only of course. I really believe that given the same circumstances now, you could create something much more interesting than what we see here. To be honest with you Manny, the only really strong point of this photo is the colors in the sails, which do look great. Again, I really believe this is much below the level you are at now Manny. Great to see how much you (hopefully all of us) can improve within a year.

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flip89 (3418) 2004-04-04 3:41

A good before and after picture (?). Before, because this was taken way before you joined TE ... so the faults (like tight cropping - whether it was in camera or post and very centered composition) are quite glaring. But it's a nice nostalgic piece, not only of how you feel for the subject (I miss Boracay too) but also showcases how much you've advanced in your photography and post processing. It's amazing, actually.

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carper (96) 2004-04-04 3:46

Manny I like the way you bring it,

For sure this is not your best one, but it's taken with much pleasure, and that important. I had seen here on TE photo's who are much worse, and they come to 50 points, No this is good enough, for me, for two points. It's small cropped, but whe will overlife that. good job

clodreno (0) 2004-04-04 4:22

Nice one Manuel.. I do like it. I love the colors. The frame is too heavy for me though.

eleparc (24063) 2004-04-04 4:33

Hello manny two friends of mine went twice already to Boracay from France. They really gave me the envy to go and spend some time there. Your colorful photo confirms that;-)) great green and blue color

piozac (2065) 2004-04-04 4:58

I like this photo Manuel. Colour of a sail is really impressing.
Nice shot, for me your framing is ok.

nwoehnl (122) 2004-04-04 6:57

Manny, looking at your amazing album, I have to be honest with you and say that I think I've seen you do far better than on this particular shot. The strong green and blue sails are a fine way to draw attention, and the scene sure is a lovely and relaxing one. But I think the cropping is too tight at the left and the top, and the composition is quite centered. The mood it conveys together with your heartfelt note is pleasant though.

CVTJan (1244) 2004-04-04 10:49

Dear Manny, in my eyes the picture is good but too tightly cropped, but as the others already said not as good as your new ones. What I like most at this post is the way how it is dealt with in the critiques :) Hope to see more of that. Yours, Jan

MARIUS (2240) 2004-04-04 13:47

Fantastic colors

avigur_11 (22553) 2004-04-04 16:08

It's amazing contrast between the darkness of this photo and the fluorescent green sail. a very unusual shot. I remember Boracay from your previous shots, it's really a paradise.
I would prefer it a little bit brighter, but still a nice shot, Manny.

whereami (1477) 2004-04-04 22:41

I very much like the bold colours and shapes in this photo. At the same time, I can see a bit of every-day life in The Phillipines.
I can't say I'm a huge fan of the thick frame, and I'd like to be able to see the top of the mast, but it's still an eye-catching shot.

jhonny_blue (4956) 2004-04-05 6:11

Wonderful colours, and is very interesting the people moving the boat !
Great composition !

dominique (11414) 2004-04-05 15:43

I like the composition and the colors of the two veils, a beautiful contrast with the remainder of the image, a good work.

mortimer (128) 2004-04-05 17:41

Manny, usely I love black & white, but the way you use the contrast blue/green done a dream-picture. One of the very best of your shots (I keep it in my favorit). Mortimer.

[workshop] [compare]

ChrisJ (171822) 2004-04-05 20:29

Have to agree with other posts. Apart from the green & blue sails, the lighting is not so good in the rest of the image, & the mts are truncated by the boat. The people are neither silhouettes or clearly lit.

sunny (3069) 2004-04-06 4:32

The vibrant colours of the boat are very intense Manny! Ok, tight cropping, a bit heavy frame, but still wonderfull!

joseelias (0) 2004-04-06 8:46

The contrast of colors is really stunning. And I believe it would not work the same way if you'd get the skyes you're talking about.

About the composition I only miss a bit to see to top of the mast. And maybe some more lightness in the lower part of the photo to show somer more details of the boata and the people.

femkevdh (2633) 2004-04-06 13:33

Great capture Manuel! What a great catamaran-like boat. the green splashes off my screen. if this is a daily life scene from Boracay, it's on my list now too.
Have a great time in Vietnam!

robbertjan (2906) 2004-04-08 6:53

Hi Manny what a great shot. This is realy sailing with less materials. It works! Great colors and sharp. But it is a pitty you have cropped the boat it bit to tight. Not your best one, but good enough.

recepyuksel (18640) 2005-11-01 17:28

1 word: a masterpiece
my compliments

Paul999 (8) 2016-02-03 7:36

Wow, really nice capture! Very nicely framed and love the colors.