Welcome to Romy Ocon's Wild Birds of the Philippines (www.romyocon.net), a website that showcases a selection of the photographer's images of Philippine avian wildlife, nature scenes and miscellaneous subjects. The photographer hopes that you will have many minutes of enjoyment viewing the images, in the same way as he has enjoyed getting the captures.
For browsing convenience, labels that include the common and scientific names of the birds are provided at the bottom of each webpage.
About the Wild Birds of the Philippines
By imaging these magnificent winged creatures in their natural habitat and sharing the pictures through prints and web galleries, the photographer hopes that in his own little way, he can help raise awareness for the protection of their habitat. The photographer wishes that future generations will still be able to behold the beauty of these avian treasures long after his generation is gone.
Capture Information and Post Processing Disclosure
The photographer aspires to create aesthetically pleasing and natural history type images of birds and other wildlife.
His capture workflow is centered on getting images of the natural state of things, with very little or no disturbance to the subjects and their environment. All images of birds and other wildlife posted in the website were taken in-habitat, using macro and super-telephoto lenses (100 mm – 1600 mm) and digital SLRs. The photographer is not into set-up photography. He does not employ bird calls nor baiting with food in the capture of the wild bird images. Likewise, the photographer always shoots in available light, and minimizes the use of artificial lighting or flash during capture (only in a handful of photos where it is explicitly mentioned was artificial lighting used).
The photographer's post processing workflow is limited to WB setting, cropping, resizing, noise reduction, sharpening, and adjustment of exposure, contrast, levels, brightness, saturation and vibrance. Wholesale alteration of major elements of the photo or blurring of the background in post process is not practiced. Removal of sensor dust spots and cloning out of tiny distracting elements in the photo are done sparingly.
About the Photographer
Romy Ocon (a.k.a. Liquidstone in various internet websites), a native Filipino, is a self-taught color-blind nature photographer, and the founder/administrator of the Philippine Bird Photography Forum.
He was born and raised in a rural village in La Union (Northern Luzon, Philippines) where he learned to appreciate nature early in life. A product of the Philippine public school system, he is a civil engineer by training and concrete technologist by specialization. He started his working career as an employed professional in 1989, then became an entrepreneur in 1997. In 2004, he semi-retired at 39 to concentrate on his passionate pursuit - wild bird imaging.
His web galleries are at www.pbase.com/liquidstone.
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The Photographer In-Habitat
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LARGE PRINTS FROM THE 7D MARK II. A couple of 24" x 36" prints from the pre-production 7D Mark II which I field-tested were displayed during a photo-workshop I conducted at Baguio City on October 26, 2014. As I expected, the prints turned out nicely as far as IQ is concerned, even when examined up close.
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I was shooting Blue-throated Bee-eaters by the roadside at Subic, while fellow bird photographer Nilo Arribas was also shooting the shooter candidly. (April 23, 2005)
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ENJOYING FRESHLY-MANUFACTURED OXYGEN. We went up the Balsahan trail (Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines) until we came upon a forked stream (after 4 or 5 stream crossings). We stopped here to catch our breath and enjoy the view. I set up my gear and waited for more lifers, as my birding buddy Arnold took a snap shot. (February 10, 2007)
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COASTAL LAGOON, MANILA BAY. It took some effort for me to smile for the camera, what with all the man-made mess around me. I'm actually lucky, I only come here once in a while to shoot birds, and this is NOT the place where I and my family live, wade, fly and feed. (January 6, 2006)
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HIGHLAND BIRDING. I was waiting for montane birds at elevation 2155 meters (Bauko, Mountain Province) when my brother Jeff snapped this pic. My "travelling lightly" birding combo was the 20D + 500 f4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, mounted on a Manfrotto 3421 gimbal head and 475B tripod. The black bonnet insulated my top spot against the cold mountain temperature, as my hair had divorced me over a decade ago. (June 4, 2006)
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BIRDING EQUIPMENT. My birding lenses pose as a group for posterity in July 2009. The newly added 400 2.8 L IS (second from left, low light specialist, with a Canon 2x TC II added in this photo) is joined by (from left) the venerable Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG, long shot specialist), the workhorse 500 f4 L IS (all-around birding glass, with a Canon 1.4x TC II added in this photo), the prime-sharp 100-400 L IS (the "birding lightly" and all purpose wildlife lens) and the grizzled 400 5.6 L (the hand held flight shot specialist). I had since sold the Sigmonster to a birder-friend. For DSLRs, I currently shoot with the Canon 1D MIV, 5D MII and 7D. I usually bring about 160 GB of CF cards afield.
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Romy Ocon is honored to join the roster of Brand Ambassadors of Canon Philippines from 2010 to 2017.
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CANON IMAGENATION AMBASSADORS (2012). Also known as Crusaders of Light, some of the country's top imagers use Canon gear to capture unforgettable photographs and footages. (Photo courtesy of Canon Philipines).
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CANON BRAND AMBASSADORS. Some 15 photographers specializing in various genres are featured in this print ad of Canon Philippines that appeared at The Philippine Star, July 28, 2010.
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Romy Ocon appears in a Canon print ad that was published in a local magazine and a national daily in 2010. The photo was shot by ace lensman John Chua on location at Candaba wetlands.
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