Through a lens, clearly

From the Inbox (14)–

Today’s column features seven new readers sending their images from various parts of the country. Some are professionals while others are students with the youngest at seven years of age.

Raffy Paredes

Hydrographic engineer Carter Luma-ang shares, “Photography takes away my stress accumulated from work.” He relates that he started shooting with film in high school. According to him, he used to borrow the camera of the school janitor who was more fortunate to have his own SLR camera. Carter shares two images: a bird in Tubbataha Reef taken with a point-and-shoot; and a sunrise in Manila Bay taken with his first DSLR one early morning from a ship.

Dr. Ann Theresa Bolos of Dagupan, Pangasinan writes that she was a frustrated fine arts painter who was attracted to photography especially when she acquired her DSLR last December. She had previously been shooting with a point-and-shoot: “But when I started using my DSLR, I fell in love with it, so my passion now is photography though I don’t have any basic training.” She shares that she takes pictures whenever she gets the chance to and she “enjoys every bit of it.” Aside from being a way of relaxation, she says that photography also provides a way for her to express her feelings. Other images by Dr. Ann can be viewed at annbolos.multiply.com.

Regis Oblimar, 15 years old and a senior at the Adventist University of the Philippines Academy shares: “I started photography last summer when I got my first DSLR and I’ve been shooting ever since.” He describes himself as also getting hooked on photography magazines, books, articles, etc. “My friends were also addicted,” he says, “and we shared our love of photography and our views on the art.” Regis reveals that he looks up to Jeruel Ibañez as a mentor whose footsteps he is following.

Advertising man Nathan “n8n” Cabigao says he started on photography only seven months ago. He also shares that his “toxic” schedule has prevented him from attending photography classes. “So what I do is I read stuff sa Digital Photography School (website) plus I have three gracious friends who mentor me once in a while and comment on my photos sa facebook,” he shares. N8n, who says he’s a Batangueño working in Makati shares images taken from Bonifacio High Street.

Toti Sison, a BS Tourism graduate currently working in the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan writes that he’s been interested in photography since high school but never really got the chance to study it. After graduation, he got the opportunity – only last April – to learn basic photography in UP Diliman. However, because of his work, Toti says that he was unable to finish the course and has been trying to learn on his own since then. “I always practice and I never stop shooting,” he shares. Toti also reveals that photography has changed his life: “Lahat ng nakikita ko nagiging maganda simula ng mag-aral ako ng photography.” Readers can see more of Toti’s work at totisis0n.multiply.com.

Also sending in their images are Ralph Blas, a 3rd year Petroleum Engineering student from Palawan State University who took photos in El Nido, Palawan and seven-year-old Natalie U. Chin of Cagayan de Oro City who writes: “Anywhere we go, my mom wants to bring a camera and asks me to take a picture of her.”