Bato Balani sa Gugma by Jacob Maentz

Tuesday, 10th June 2008

Singing of the ‘Bato Balani sa Gugma’ at the Santo

by Jacob Maentz

Singing of the ‘Bato Balani sa Gugma’ at the Santo Nino Basilica, Thursday evening during Sinulog week.
The Sinulog festival is one of the grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. The main festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Nino.

Equipment: Nikon D80

Jacob Maentz

I have been into photography since 2000 when I bought my first SLR. I am currently residing in Cebu City, Philippines and have recently started a travel stock photography site.

www.jacobmaentz.com

22 Comments

Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Fascinating photo. The arm movement is reminiscent of a flock of birds or a school of fish moving in rhythmic unison.
Lakshmi Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 4:12 am
This is amazing. A great ritual..perfect light and the right perspective. Thanks for sharing!
Kirk Jordan Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 4:47 am
The mixed color temperature of this shot is most peculiar and really adds interest. I see warm “candle” colors, and cold, almost flash-bulb blue. The flotilla on the left seems lit independently. Was there some kind of spot light in the mix, or some kind of stage lights mixed with closing day? If so, its a most engaging blend.
Anurag Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
What a fantastic image. Period.
Malta Photography Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I like the symmetry of this picture. very nice colors and clarity. Well done mate
Ahmed Sharif Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 8:00 am
great capture of moment and culture!!…….
Pauline Jones Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 8:28 am
I love the geometry.
Chris Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 10:42 am
quite amusing…
nice pic but rather… bony
Marcio Eugenio Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
wow! Wonderful moment. Great colors and composition!
Ellie Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Almost as though the middle of the throng is standing in the shadow of a large monument or building–shot at night? Interesting and full of movement.
Ellie Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Now I went back to read, Thursday night. Good night shot.
Juan Pablo Baliña Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Amazing picture. Congratulations! Saludos desde Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bart van den Bos Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Glad i’m not ther, My GOD
Jacob Maentz Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Thanks everyone for your comments and interest in the photo. Kirk, the photo was shot about 30 minutes after the sun went down. There is some mixed lighting in the area, spot lights with different colors and some natural light still around. The flotilla is illuminated by itself. I had to use ISO 800 to get a fast enough shutter speed.

If you take a look at this picture from the same evening, you might be able to get a better idea of where the light is coming from.

Jacob
Renee Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
WOW! Now thats alot of people!
yasmin Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
excellent capture of cultural beauty
Sue Gagnon Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Amazing photograph! One has to look twice, even three times to get the full effect of your work.
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
June 11th, 2008 at 1:33 am
That number of people in one area is frightening.
What if someone had a cardiac arrest?
a. Says:
June 11th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Amazing! As many said, I love the swaying movement that is apparent in this photo! Great work!
Tom Says:
June 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Interesting insight into these religous zealots.
su Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 7:59 am
What a mass of people all with one goal. Such is human nature.
mike Says:
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:43 pm
So many people in the area.