Four Weeks In!

It's been a busy month here in the Philippines - I have been doing some work with some really interesting people and their businesses.

Zoox, is the marine conservation organisation that works with the diving industry and brings volunteers over from around the world to learn about the Science of Marine Conservation. They have a new website on its way and my photo shoot with them on the gorgeous Aninuan Beach will be up soon.
Laura, Abi, James and Alan, also known as Team ZEP have now finished their two weeks of training and are now Green Fins Assessors!!

(PS - I have been doing a lot of Instagram photos while out and about - follow me at wilkieboom)

View from the classroom

The Zoox classroom 

Team ZEP studying hard!  

Presentation day

The Staff

I have also been involved with an incredible charity that works with the street children of Manila, The Stairway Foundation Inc. Last week they asked me to photograph their teacher training programme which was presented by Fiona Childs and Anita Gardner. There are lots of plans of activities over the next few weeks that I will be part of, including some snorkelling and some lessons on the wonders of Mangroves!

Classroom training session

  

Lovely ladies in the workshop

Sand sculpture workshop

Snorkelling!

Story Telling - The Lorax

The team and the teachers 

Laura and I went for a tour of the island of Mindoro. We visited Sand Bar, White Beach, Tamaraw Falls and a small Barangay (Philippine word for village) high up in the hills. It was called Baclayan and is home to the indigenous Mangyan people. They love their basketball and their Sunday afternoon game was on top of a mountain!!! Also we visited a Mangyan village near Talipanan.
Oh and of course, don't forget the awesome diving with iDive!

Laura posing by a traditional Banca(boat!) at the Sand Bar

A panoramic view of beautiful White Beach

Wilkie and Laura at Tamaraw Falls

Mangyan people playing basketball on top of a mountain!

Mangyan people playing basketball on top of a mountain! 

                                     

Talipanan Mangyan village children

Talipanan Mangyan village children

Mangyan locals playing poker pool!

Anemone fish

Cuttle Fish

Nudibranch

Peacock Manta Shrimp

Christmas Tree Worms

Better Late than Never!!! BOOOMM!

Hello from the Philippines!! I know its been a while - I have been really busy updating my website which I hope you all like - thanks for all the comments.
I was also busy packing to head to the Philippines - Laura and I have been here now for three weeks. We are staying on Mindoro Island in the little village of Aninuan. It is surrounded by mountains which are full of gorgeous treks, villages and waterfalls.

The village has one lovely Italian restaurant and a couple of stalls on the side of the road. Oh and it has a lovely beach!

The main area is Puerta Galera and Sabang is the spot for the diving and the lively nightlife! However, we are both so busy that the nightlife can wait! Laura is doing some work with Zoox - a marine conservation company that works with the diving industry, implementing the Green Fins project in the dive centres of Puerta Galera. I have been documenting and taking a lot of pictures - above and below the water. It is so lovely to be back in the water.

Cuttlefish

view through Sabang wreck

Turtle having a rest with some hangers on!

I am diving with iDive, based in White Beach - Carlo and Andrea have been my 'Wow' dive guides - check out their website and Facebook page - can you spot the pygmy?!

The island has just played host to Malisimbo - a 5 day music and arts festival held up in mountains. Musicians included reggae, dance and folk acts including Mad Professor from Bristol and the lovely Jose Gonzalez. At night, it came alive - smells from the food stalls, the noise and the lights that hung from every tree illuminating the gorgeous surroundings and the art from the tribes and local villages. 

More pictures soon and a bit more information on the way of life we have over here including the daily chores like washing and showering and the friends we have met. Until then, happy Saturday and have a bombastic weekend!!

Wilkie

Bring on the Surf!!

Hi all, hoping everyone is Awesome?

I thought today I would share a few photos of a couple of friends of mine - both enjoy the waters around Newquay and live for the surf.

Sam Coad is a semi professional surfer living here in Newquay - check his fabulous blog out. He is sponsored by SNUGG Wetsuits, Outer Limit Clothing and Bos Surfboards...

Next is Dom Moore - he is a surf, ocean confidence coach at Surf Sanctuary - an adrenaline junkie!! He works for Ocean Rodeo who make kite surfing equipment - another of his huge passions. check out his blog

Enough talking - lets see them in action!!
Lots of Boooom love from Wilkie!!!!

Fisherman's Friends!!

A little late – it was a busy Monday - I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend sun while it showed itself!

I wanted to say a quick thank you for the amazing response I have had from you all on some of my pictures - I love taking pictures and I love talking cameras so please keep the chat and comments coming! If you want any prints then please do get in touch. 

I have been working a lot recently with the fishermen of Newquay Harbour - you may have seen my pictures up on the Newquay Marine Group. I have been on the boats owned by the Gilbert family several times documenting their day at sea. Martin and his sons Jake and Daniel are potters: they go out from the harbour every day fishing for crabs and lobsters. This is mainly exported to mainland Europe but Newquay Marine Group are working with the Gilberts to promote locally caught crab and lobster to the local shops, cafes, hotels and restaurants. If you fancy getting a crab from the harbour then feel free to pop down and see them.

I was also honoured to be the wedding photographer when Martin Gilbert married Dorothy freeman on 6th April down at the Harbour restaurant. Of course, their fishing boats were also part of the wedding shoot!

Enjoy - have a lovely week! Wilkie Boom!



Instagram Fun!!

Today I am going to talk about Instagram - isnt it amazing?! I added a whole new Instagram section to my website and it has had some amazing feedback there and on Facebook.

The application, which i use on an Iphone 5, creates a real atmosphere and vibrancy to the shot and because it is linked to the web, you can have followers and be followed all around the world.

I thought I would show a few of my favourites here from Newquay and my trip to Copenhagen over Easter.
SALES PITCH!! The Newquay shots are for sale on my website or at The Beached Lamb in Newquay (our local haunt!)

Enjoy - and as always - please get in touch if you have any questions or comments.

Much Wilkie Love!!!

Newquay Harbour 



 

The Gannel - low tide



The Gannel - moving to high tide



 

Crantock

 

 






The Marble Church in Copenhagen

 



Montergade - now a Michelin restaurant



European dining - outside even in the snow!



Nyhavn (Newhaven)



Nyhavn - so cold the canal has frozen







Back to it in 2013 with a Boom!!

Hello all! I know it is April - but a Happy New Year to everyone!
Although I have been busy the last few months, I have waited until now to begin my blog for 2013 - I was hoping for warmer weather though!
I will be keeping the blog up to date with all my work and activities - please get in touch if there is anything you think I should know or if you have any comments - I would love to hear from you!

So - as a welcome back catch up - I have put a selection of photos up from the past few months. Christmas in Cornwall as well as Christmas in Amsterdam, some beautiful architecture and a lovely landscape of Newquay. More photos and information available on my website www.neilwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

Enjoy and see you all soon.
Wilkie

Fireworks over Newquay Harbour

Truro

Christmas lights at Padstow

Christmas lights in Amsterdam

Muse - playing at the Ziggo Dome

Christmas Architecture around Amsterdam - Have a look at my Website for details.

The beautiful Mal Maison Hotel in Oxford (formerly a prison)

Newquay