Welcoming New Year 2008 in a Cold and Dry Rainy Winter Night
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This has been the second year my family and I did not spend the Christmas and New Year Holidays in our house. Since New Year 2007, we’ve decided to watch centralized fireworks display (usually sponsored by the local government) instead of buying expensive but cheaply made fireworks. Well, aside from obviously being more economical, a lot of money is being allocated for this display by the government so people can always expect a good show. Plus, it’s better for the environment too!
Some Notes:
1: About 30 minutes till midnight. The number of people gathering around the place are gradually increasing, flocking from left and right.
2: 5-10 minutes prior to actual countdown, the beam of lights projected beneath the London Eye started moving in semi-rapid motion, constantly changing colors.
3: Start of the fireworks display. It was drizzling the whole night, and the combination of rain and the short flashes of fireworks made it harder for my camera to set focus (light bounces off the strands of rain, making it visible and solid enough for the camera to focus on). I should’ve switch to manual focus.
4: That’s Marriott Hotel on the left. We could’ve stayed there if it wasn’t for the higher season rates (rates started 600GBP/1200USD/48000Php per room & per night accdg. to my brother).
5: The second guy from the left saw me shooting the crowd, and he was so amazed by the camera I am using (I think every photographer has his/her own similar experience, esp. with people not in the know). He then asked me to take their picture.
6: If there is one thing I will not forget in this vacation, it’s this picture (or the scenario you see in this picture). It’s a pretty long story, but what basically happened was: guy standing on the right fronting the concrete flower/plant box was sloppily french-kissing the woman on the edge of the sidewalk (they were standing); guy on the left (in front of that woman lying on the sidewalk you see in the picture) pushes guy on the right. He then grabbed that woman’s hair and slammed his face against the concrete wall of the flower/plant box. Luckily, my camera was dangling on my neck as I was shooting people, buildings and cars, allowing me to quickly and discretely take a quick shot. My brother and his wife immediately called 911. Good times.
