Ascending Beauty: Batad's Stairway to Splendor
Batad Rice Terraces, Ifugao, Philippines
With my 4x5 Wisner Classic View Camera and Schneider 110mm XL lens, I captured a magnificent vista on Velvia 50 film, showcasing the astounding Batad Rice Terraces. This vertical composition offers a dynamic near-to-far perspective, guiding the viewer's gaze from the base to the pinnacle of these incredible rice terraces.
This photograph was taken within the UNESCO-protected Batad Rice Terraces, an awe-inspiring marvel that left an indelible mark on my memory. The sheer magnitude of the landscape's elevation change, over 1,500 feet from bottom to top, exemplifies the tenacity and skill of the people who crafted these terraces. The Batad region lies far from the usual tourist spots, nestled amid the lush rice terraces and remote villages of northern Luzon, Philippines.
During my setup, six men (one wearing a shirt that said "POLICE"), but armed with automatic weapons, approached me curiously. They inquired, "Can we take a look through your camera?" In the face of this unique encounter, I willingly obliged, appreciating that photography transcends language and backgrounds, even amid the rugged backdrop of Batad's beauty. Luckily they enjoyed the view with me and went on their merry way. Photo © copyright by Rich Voninski.