tres vintas, a photo from Zamboanga del Sur, Western Mindanao

Photographer's Note

if arabians have their dhow, filipinos have their vinta. one among the earliest boats that is used for centuries now. vintas, old as they may be are traditional means of transportation in many parts of the archipelago especially in mindanao, the second largest among the 7100 or so named philippine islands. zamboanga, the city i hail from is famous for the most number of vintas. the colorful sail vintas, rowed manually are usually used for regatta, a festivity that attracts tourists in the city every first week of october in commemoration of the feast of the city's patron saint, The Lady of the Pillar.

the local dialect of the city is chabacano, a "mixture" of 75-80% spanish and 20 of the many others including tausug and visayan. most senior residents read, write and speak fluent spanish, a "gift" from Spain having ruled the country for more than 300 years. today, zamboanga city is known as Asia's Latin City.

tomauer, belido, gracious, riclopes, alvaraalto, parbo, stego, plimrn, quillo, saylan-cb, trekks, jorgi, COSTANTINO, cunejo200, Docarmo ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

tomauer (316) 2008-12-11 21:18

Hi Benedict, what a nice wide view of this piece of Mindanao, and our very unique culture. I like that beautiful cloud formation in the distance and the clean balance of water, earth and sky. Very Nice details, colours and work, I wish i could see this larger!

Thanks,
Tom

aadilj (18102) 2008-12-11 21:22

Hi benedict, that wide and soothing, calm and very well composed. the hues are superb and the mood is lovely

serp2000 (47063) 2008-12-12 0:00

Lovely view, Benedict,
Good shot and nice frame. "I'm still looking for the summer" ! TFS!
Serghei

belido (19934) 2008-12-12 2:52

Hi Ben,

I didn't know about those Vintas. Interesting way of transportation. The three ones rein in this beautiful landscape. The panorama format fits very well in here. Nothing better than this could be done, excellent. Lighing is soft and pleasant. In this proportion (800x293pixel) you could add the large version. I wish I could give you tres pontos for these tres vintas :)) Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

gracious (20025) 2008-12-12 9:24

Hello Ong,
Thank you for this beautiful scenery from Mindanao and most appreciated for the informative notes regarding the vintas!
I especially loved that soft and gentle lighting over the whole place, looks calms and peaceful with the few sailing vintas!
well done
take care and wishing you a happy festive season!
Tony

riclopes (35577) 2008-12-13 3:26

Olá Benedict, this wonderful panoramic composition is asking for a Large Version! It's such a nice long stripe, so simple but very pleasant to look at. The traditional vintas are a fantastic inclusion of course, those diagonal silver losangles shining nicely under the sunlight. A dream view from the paradise.
Um abraço,
ricardo

alvaraalto (42804) 2008-12-14 7:28

Hi Benedict,

Interesting story and a lovely picture with these square sails.
I think this picture is worth to have a large version.

Groet Rob

parbo (11092) 2008-12-14 9:02

Hello Benedict,

Your artistic crop worked perfectly and increase the beauty of your wonderfully taken photo. Diagonal sails on vintas are very interesting and your layout of them are excellent. Wonderful shot and great note to accompany the image. Congratulations. Have a nice new week.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

stego (24132) 2008-12-14 10:47

Hi Benedict,
An idyllic view, specially in a cold, grey and rainy day like today. The green slope coming from the upper right corner and the beach make a beautiful backdrop to those unique and picturesque boats with their lozenge shaped sails.
The trees look a little too dark to me, but it isn't so important.
I wonder why you didn't post a large version.
TFS, Regards, José.

plimrn (21344) 2008-12-14 21:56

Hi Benedict,
I don't think I've ever seen a vinta before, they are really beautiful. It is also one of your most beautiful compositions with the three square sails, the tropical hillside in near silhouette and the perfect clouds. Great light management, the pano crop in very effective too.
HLJ, Pat

Photograph2u (0) 2008-12-15 6:18

Hello Benedict, a nice summer and vacation photo, this surley brings me the idea to visit this place sometime.
Good composition with the 3 sails.
Also, thx for the comment on my photo.
Cheers.

quillo (11858) 2008-12-15 15:26

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It makes me happy to think that still in this part of the world one speaks a little 'Spanish'

Hello Benedict, a nice picture of Bolong Beach, with an interesting (small) composition a nice miscellany of sky ... sea ... and ground, congratulations friend and thanks for the note.

A greeting of Spain.

-

swiatopelk777 (0) 2008-12-17 2:44

Hi Benedict!
Amaizng panorama. Wonderful seascape with sails. Nice natural light, bright and colors. Good frame.
Greetings from Poland!

darek1978 (13361) 2008-12-17 7:57

Hello Benedict,
Great atmospheric shot, well composed and executed, TFS!
Have a nice evening, my friend.
Regards
Darek

saylan-cb (12738) 2008-12-17 8:43

Hi Benedict,
This is a beautiful panoramic view wiht nice light and strong colours.
Excellent work!
TFS/Regards

ElAprendiz (30) 2008-12-17 18:27

Hello Benedict:

The format in extreme horizontality is very appropriate for this beautiful picture. The colors and composition is excellent and the virtuosity of the place, is charming.

A great job, no doubt.

John

trekks (14348) 2008-12-18 19:55

hello Benedict

Good to see your post again, I thought this is LV version?

Such a fine sail scenery and really paradise for people facing winter cold. Good composed view of the idyllic place.

tfs, bill

jorgi (3810) 2008-12-19 1:07

Hi Benedict,

most unusual choice of format for your post but it works very well with captured motive.
The panoramic view with streched hill in the middle makes excellent background for tres vintas and the notion that goes with it: out on the open sea of endless horizon.

My best,
Jeri

COSTANTINO (116421) 2008-12-19 13:41

Hi Benedict,
The view of Mindanao is very interesting
for me who lives in the other side of the
world..Very nice details and shot well done..
Nice work and lighting is soft and clear..
have a nice week end
Costantino

cunejo200 (7281) 2008-12-20 13:17

Hi Benedict,
I am not sure whether I'll have a chance to go to Zamboanga and take photos of vintas. They are so colorful and delightful. The panorama format suits this well. Wishing you the best of holiday season. Regards...Danilo

Docarmo (9767) 2008-12-27 22:27

Hi Benedict,
Very beautiful panoramic, elements are very well placed. I like the frame too. Thanks for the informative note.
MCV

andr3w (595) 2008-12-31 5:03

Nice panoramic shot Ben. Loved the position of the 3 vintas.
Happy New Year to you and your family!

Regads,
Andrew

elherbz (0) 2009-01-02 8:48

Hey Great pic but it would have been even fabulos if the pic image was a bity bigger.Them blue skies & water need to be shown off.The vintas require a closer view.Keep up the good work.TFS!
-El Herbz

Waylim (25436) 2009-01-15 18:02

Benedict,
It's been some times, I remember you when I first started posting. Nice to hear from you again. Well this shot is wonderful, love the panoramic format show the width of the landscape perfectly. Would have been great to see the large version. Composition is also perfect, with the vintas so well place two together and one a part and a little off center. Leaving lots of room for them to slow sail into. Very nice details and beautiful light and lovely clouds. Thanks
Way

Jepoy (32) 2009-02-01 18:53

wow! this is a very nice view, im missing this kind of view already... the province is always better than the urbanized manila.

everything is perfect here..very very nice.. gratz!

zmey (7335) 2009-02-17 6:49

hi Benedict
how're you doing these days, buddy? all is well at the hospital?
nice composition in this one. the panoramic crop works well; just wish you had posted a full-size version if you decided to go panoramic.

warm regards,
kristaps