Sometimes, when you have grown familiar with a place, you fall in love with it. You immerse in its beauty, its flaws, its busyness. Capturing moments like that in the urban life pauses you from the buzz that perturbs the populace.
Student John Beryl Go is one of those individuals that wanted to capture moments he could not describe through words. Instead, through photographs. A Zamboanga native, the eleventh grader moved to the Queen City of the South for his studies – he marks Cebu City another place he calls home. Using a drone, he captured the busy Fuente Osmeña – with the contrasts of a semi-saturated photo of the rotunda during daytime and a strobe of laser lights from illuminated buildings and passing cars at night.
Here's Fuente,Cebu from a Bird's eye view. 🙏❤️
An afternoon and a night shot. pic.twitter.com/UhxBAUg4tA
— Jango (@JohnBerylGo) July 31, 2017
Well here's my rejected shots the wind suddenly blew and we had to bring it down . Will be trying again tho pic.twitter.com/m0qRvameyG
— Jango (@JohnBerylGo) July 31, 2017
Well here's my rejected shots the wind suddenly blew and we had to bring it down . Will be trying again tho pic.twitter.com/m0qRvameyG
— Jango (@JohnBerylGo) July 31, 2017
WHEN IN MANILA has reached out to Go for further details.
WIM: What inspired you to take aerial shots of Fuente? Was there a special occasion, event etc., or perhaps you saw something special with it?
John Beryl Go: I’m actually from a small town in Mindanao called Molave, located in Zamboanga Peninsula. I just came here for my studies but I do have plans on staying here right after I graduate. For me, Fuente is always special because it’s like the go to place for me to cool my head off. I’m sort of a short tempered person so in order for me to control myself l tend to go on walks at Fuente, bring my camera and take pictures. There’s this one time my friends Rhuther and Sam asked me where the perfect spot for taking aerial shots of Cebu was. The first thing that came into my mind was Fuente. So Sam (the drone pilot) flew his drone and took some awesome aerial footage. Right after shooting his aerial footage I asked him if I could borrow his drone for a shot I had in mind luckily I got his permission and that’s how these photos came to be.
WIM: How would you distinguish your photography from other people who take photos of Cebu every day? Describe your photography style.
JBG: I don’t have a usual style in taking my photos. I tend to explore different scenes in order for me to learn more about photography, I’m still in that stage of learning where my strengths and weaknesses are.
WIM: What cameras do you use?
JBG: I shoot with a Canon 760D. It’s one of the best cameras for someone who’s interested in taking up photography. I do have plans to upgrade soon though since I’m starting to get into video works.
WIM: What do you use for editing?
JBG: I use Adobe Lightroom for editing. Many photographers use that software these days. In photos that were taken from my phone, I use VSCO if ever I want to post some photos right away.
WIM: Since these are the only aerial shots you have of Cebu so far, are you planning to take more in the future?
JBG: Yes I do! I had more shots planned in my head that night but unfortunately, the strong winds weren’t helping and the drone was running out of battery. I do have plans on taking photos of other parts of Cebu, especially places like Sto.Niño, Colon/Carbon, the Mactan – Mandaue bridge and much more; specifically places where lots of people have gone to.
WIM: Are you planning to pursue photography after your studies?
JBG: I’m currently in the 11th grade studying at the University of San Carlos, as of now I don’t really have plans on pursuing photography as a career yet I treat photography as a getaway from stress.
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: WheninManila.com does not own these photos. Credits go to John Beryl Go. You can also see more of his photos on his Instagram.
