Through a lens, clearly

Capturing the solar eclipse–

 

This column’s call for readers to shoot the July 22 solar eclipse received half a dozen responses from enthusiastic contributors. As promised, we are publishing the results of their work here today.

Francis Martin Sevilla shares that he used an old x-ray film for a filter, a lens with a focal length of 400mm, and a shutter speed of 1/2500 with f8 aperture to shoot the eclipse. More images can be seen on his online portfolios at http://francismartinsevilla.webs.com and at http://electronics330.multiply.com.

 

All the way from Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, veterinarian and photo enthusiast Ronald Ruel M. Joves writes that he also used an x-ray film as a filter which he fabricated with materials from a folder, glue and paste to fit his point-and-shoot camera.

Arnold Rosales tested an exposed film negative as a filter for his point-and-shoot. He says that he experimented with single and double layers of negative film. He also tried using silver as suggested by his father-in-law, who, being a retired planetarium curator and a member of the Astronomical Society of the Philippines had gone to Shanghai to observe the total solar eclipse.

College professor and avowed photo hobbyist Fabian Santos writes that he used a DSLR for photographing the eclipse. A first-time contributor, Fabian shares: “I love looking at the submitted pictures by the readers. Likewise, I’m also studying them, their compositions and other visual elements, so that I will become more skillful in photography.” He says that he is still a beginner in the craft.

Jojo Jose utilized a double polarizing filter with his point-and-shoot to photograph the eclipse. Actually, it was still just a homemade filter, he reveals, consisting of two polarized sunglasses used “in a crisscross manner trying to find the best combination.”

Our last eclipse photo contributor is Ricardo Louis Torres, VP-Publicity, La Salle Computer Society, member of the De La Salle Philippines Communications & Corporate Services Team, and photographer of The La Sallian. Photos by Ricco can also be viewed at http://flickr.com/photos/riccotorres and http://riccotorres.multiply.com/.

Also included in our feature today is first-time contributor Rick Mupas from Vitas, Tondo, Manila. Rick, who currently works as design/project estimator in an advertising company discloses that he is still at an early learning stage in his photography having acquired his SLR only five months ago. He shares that friends in multiply.com introduced him to Picture Perfect. His own account is at http://jeckspums.multiply.com/.

A reader-contributor who has been previously featured in this column is inviting the readers to view their group exhibit. Mian Sta. Cruz, together with painter Puchette Escano, mix media artist and actor Ernie Garcia and artists Antonio Pelobello Jr., Dr. Rolando Talag, Nanette Yatco, Lorenz Yatco, and Julius Legaspi are currently holding a painting and photo exhibit titled “The Sacredness of Life” at the FPOP building (#50 Dona Hemady New Manila,QC) which will last until August 4,2009.

It its mission statement, the group declares their belief that “it is our sacred duty to support, nurture, and protect Life and we shall stand even in the center of fire to uphold, live, and fight for Life’s sanctity.” Some of Mian’s photos on exhibit are on this issue.

 

Also inviting the public to their 16th Anniversary Photo Exhibit is the Nayon Photographers’ Club. “Moods of CCP” will be held from August 13 to September 30 at the Pasily Vicente Manansala (Second Floor Hallway) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The Nayon group was featured in this column last year.

Finally, I wish to correct an injustice inadvertently committed on Rowen Arizala in last week’s issue. The sentence should have read: Also sending in his images for the first time is Rowen Arizala who describes himself as “just a novice when it comes to photography but I do love to take pictures”.

 

For comments, suggestions or just to share an image or idea, email rfyparedes@yahoo.com.