Sharing the Same Passion

Couples are compatible when they share similar interests. Such a team-up more often creates a more beautiful image of two people in love.

Husband and wife tandem Jon and Kris Carlos gave a shot at marriage and hoped they could produce a heatwarming picture of togetherness. The shot was effective as their immersion in photography helped them develop into a partnership blessed with four kids and hundreds of good photographs!

“Photography helps our relationship become stronger. Ito ang oras naming mag-bonding and I can’t imagine our lives without photography,” expressed Jon who is the president for the FPPF-affiliated iMahe Photo Club.

Both he and Kris took basic and advanced photography workshops at

the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation in September 2007. That certainly made them better as camera people. And as far as their union is concerned, it was another confirmation that their meeting through a mutual friend in high school was a romantic destiny.

Irving Penn’s definition of a nice shot is perfect for the couple and this has become their guide to coming out with fine images. Penn’s principle suggests that a good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it, or in a word, effective.

Viewers are bound for such great experience while staring at photos taken by the couple. As to determining who between them took the photos is easy since both, inasmuch as they are similar in many ways, have differences that make them find each other’s identity as separate individuals.

“We have different approaches in our compositions,” Jon noted. “I am more of a wide-angle shooter and Kris likes tight compositions. Kids as subjects attract us the most, dahil siguro parents din kami.”

Kris, who recently bagged the first and second places for Photoworld Cup’s “Still Life Minimalism” theme, added with a sense of bewilderment, “Eventhough we share the same interests, we also have difference on ideas, concepts, and how we execute or present images. Funny thing is, we even try to shoot away from each other during photo sessions but still end up with the same output.”

While Jon is into portraiture and still life, the Isabela-born Kris is more in touch with nature and landcsape. She used to sketch and oil-paint but had to drop her pens and brushes when she got married. So it comes as no surprise that her images look like paintings. Her shot titled “Raindrops” earned recognition as Photo of the Year for Neutral Ground Network.

The fact Jon and Kris are perennial finalists and high-placers at several Photoworld Cup contests, this only means that they’re on the same page when it comes to photographic excellence.

“We cherish every single recognition we get. For us, even qualifiying as finalist for the Photoworld Cup’s photo contest is already an accomplishment. Having to compete with 400 plus entries against hundreds of very good photographers of the federation, and qualifiying as finalist is already a blessing,” Jon stated. “When it comes to clients, kapag na appreciate ng kliyente ang trabaho namin, matatawag na naming malaking accomplishment yun,” he added.

With clients commissioning them for projects, it’s natural that they deal with diverse subjects to shoot. However, since family is on top of everything, they’re simply so proud having their kids pose as subjects most of the time. That’s one way of sharing time with their angels Kirk (16), Shanice (15), Kyle (11), and their 10-year-old youngest.

After the quality time with kids, work comes and they’re still together. They’re often stand side by side during some weddings and events – mostly out of town shoots. Early this year, they did a project for Crystal Catx, a manufacturer of optical crystals.

Like any other couples, they do argue over matters. But the Carlos couple have spent more time in good mood. Kris’s piece of advice to couples with same calling: “Love your craft, share your ideas and your work with each other. Keep an open mind and learn to listen to your partner’s opinion.”

Learning Nature Photography

FPPF: At the forefront of photo industry

Behind the unprecedented growth of photography in the country is the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPFI). To ensure that Philippine photography is at pace with the international development, FPPFI holds the annual Photoworld Asia, a photography convention and trade show held during the first quarter of each year. Established in 1995, Photoworld Asia has become the longest running show of its kind, as well as the main gathering of photography enthusiasts and service providers in Southeast Asia today.

Through Photoworld Asia, established names in photography (local and foreign) are invited as lecturers in seminars held at the Asian Institute of Management (AIMS), in Makati City where they share their expertise and experiences to participants coming from different parts of the country.

Photo Summit is another event organized by FPPFI where master photographers in different fields of photography are lecturers held at the Club Filipino in Greenhills.

The federation has already reached out to other parts of Asia in pursuit of upgrading local know-how and establishing linkages with other photography groups. A network with these groups enabled the FPPFI to conduct photography tours abroad.

Also, since its inception, the federation has been holding monthly workshops on basic and advanced photography. The workshops are the most effective and most reasonably priced short photo seminars. Over 2000 graduates have attended the workshops, many of whom have gone on to become professional photographers and to win national contests against more experienced photographers.

The workshops are ideal for serious amateurs, photographer assistants, public relations staff, newsletter and publication staff, teachers, home snap shooters, would-be professionals, as well as college students taking up courses requiring photography.

The FPPFI also offers specialty courses for professional photographers to learn more and be master in their chosen fields such as wedding, food, photojournalism, cruise ship, digital, product shot, and fashion photography.

FPPF seminars are also extended to some places in Metro Manila and the provinces including Ilocos Norte, Bicol region, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, and other provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The federation also offers its services to companies, organizations, and other groups.

For more inquiries, please call FPPF at tel. nos.: 5247576/5280371; e-mail: pablobeltran_39gmail.com/ fotoatwork.gmail.com/ www.foto-at-work.com

This September, the Fun Shoot Series covers a popular subject for photographers – Nature. The natural world presents an infinite variety of photographic subjects and therefore requires different shooting techniques. This photo trip will surely be an exciting challenge even for absolute beginners in this field of photography.

Scheduled on September 26, Photographing Nature allows participants to experiment on compositional elements such as texture, color, and shape; various lighting and weather conditions; and lenses, filters, and other camera accessories. Assembly will be at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City (across The Peninsula Manila) and a short lecture will be given by Manny Goloyugo prior to the trip.

Actual photo shoot will be conducted at the Hidden Valley Springs in Alaminos, Laguna. Situated between the mystical mountains of Banahaw and Makiling, it flourishes in a 300-foot deep crater covering an area of 110 hectares. A haven for nature photographers, it has a rainforest with 153 species of plant life including a 300-year-old Amlang tree, giant ferns, and wild orchids. For this trip, be ready to get wet either to shoot or for a quick dip in its numerous natural springs. Hidden waterfalls, stunning rock formations, and select wildlife species can also be found.

Though nature is captured countless times in the past, participants will be assisted in producing equally good, if not better, nature photographs. Additional tips and on-the-spot critiques will also be shared during the trip. To cap the activity, a group exhibit will be mounted at The Alcove photo gallery of the Filipinas Heritage Library to showcase the trip’s best photographs.

Requirements include basic knowledge of photography and a camera, preferably digital SLR.

Manny Goloyugo, a photographer for over 35 years, has supplied photos for various publications such as Daily Express, Expressweek, Weekend, Lifestyle Asia, Mabuhay magazine, Asiaweek, among others. He also served as photo editor for Manila Bulletin and Today Independent Daily News.

For more details, please call 892-1801, send an SMS to 0917-5594417, e-mail cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org, or visit www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph.

SILIP and Readers

We start today’s column with a special feature celebrating the first anniversary of the Seeing Images of Life In Photography or SILIP Club of La Union this month.

Raffy Paredes

The SILIP Club was a brainchild of five professional and freelance photographers in the province: Vicente Alhambra Jr., chief of the Media Bureau of the City Government of San Fernando and elected SILIP president; Region-1 tourism director Martin Valera; Rene Niro; Marco Campos; and engineer Lorenzo Balbin Jr. It was also the inevitable result of two seminars on basic and advanced photography in 2008 sponsored by the City Government of San Fernando under the leadership of Mayor Pablo Ortega, a photography enthusiast himself, and conducted by Ador Pamintuan and Vic Sison of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPFI). At the conclusion of the 2nd seminar-workshop on September 4, 2008, the first set of officers were elected, thus formally establishing the organization and its leadership.

Since then, the SILIP Club has launched three sets of seminar-workshops and expanded its membership. It has also conducted monthly photo shoots in La Union and surrounding provinces engaging the members in friendly competition. The best shots from these events have been displayed in exhibits and entered in intra-club, inter-club, regional and national contests, as well as posted on the web. To deliberate on and keep all members abreast regarding club updates, activities, problems, and other issues, the club convenes a general assembly every second Friday of the month.

Activities lined-up are an exhibit of wedding photographs by SILIP members at the CSI-The City Mall in San Fernando City from September 20 to 27; a three-day advanced photography seminar-workshop focusing on travel and wedding photography, portraiture and lighting with Ador Pamintuan and Vic Sison of the FPPF from September 23 to 25; and an acquaintance party and officers’ oath-taking ceremony at the Sea Park Beach Resort in San Fernando City.

Among the Club’s honorary members are San Fernando City Mayor Ortega, City Councilor Joseph de Guzman, ABC vice-president Ramon Ortega, TarpMoPrintKo general manager Clyde Sia, FPPF members and workshop trainors Pamintuan and Sison, DOT-Region 1 director Valera, and Sea Park Beach Resort general manager engineer Balbin.

For more details on the SILIP Foto Expo ’09, please contact telephone numbers (072) 888-6901 / 0927-7773498, or e-mail at: silip_launion@yahoogroups.com, or visit http://siliplaunion.ning.com/ and http://silip090408.multiply.com/. (From the write-up by reader Rainier Repollo and Regina Sobrepeña)

Also on feature today are readers Mhor Pelagio, Anton Pimentel, and Jenilee Soebiyanto Valdez.

Mhor Pelagio of Nueva Ecija writes that he’s still a newbie who’s been shooting for only a year and a half. He says that he’s had no formal training as yet but just relies on photo magazines for tips. The photos he shares today were taken at the mountainous town of Carranglan. Other images by Mhor can be viewed at lomodrugs.multiply.com.

Businessman Anton Pimentel from Kidapawan City, North Cotabato started on photography last May 2008. He writes that he travels and shoots around the country whenever he gets some free time. He also shares that he’s been learning the craft from friends who are also into photography and through the Internet. His image, 26Min Long Exposure is a photo of the Bahia Bais Hotel in Bais City, Negros Oriental.

Web developer Jenilee Soebiyanto Valdez writes that she started on film photography even as a young girl. Today, she indulges her passion with a DSLR pro camera. She has also joined Nikon Club Philippines. Lee shares: “Up to this point in time Still Life is my favorite type of photography.” Readers can see more of her work at www.flickr.com/jenileesoebiyantovaldez.

From the Veranda

Text and photos by rosy villasanta-ibayFlowers, plants, trees, birds, sunlight. These are a few of my favorite things. In fact, I have always thought that these are five of the most perfect creation of God. They have no angles – they are simply beautiful any side you view them.

My father-in-law is a bonsai hobbyist and he has a very lovely garden. His bonsais, some of them decades old, are the pride of his garden as well as the equally pretty flower collection of my mother-in-law. Whenever we visit, I love to laze around the veranda doing nothing – just basking on the serenity all around soothed further by the company of the birds and their songs.

One morning though, I was spurred into action when I realized that my favorite things were there – mine, all mine for the taking (or for shooting). I brought out my DSLR, attached a 70-300mm lens to it, nestled on the papag, and proceeded to shoot the perfect shots behind the iron grills of the veranda.

photos by rosy villasanta-ibay

There was once this seasoned photographer who was telling us about his group. When they were just starting on their photography, they used to practice and challenge each other by finding a solitary spot. On that spot, everybody would sit back-to-back, and without moving or changing places, they would shoot whatever they see from their vantage point. That was how they disciplined themselves, consequently, perfecting the craft.

I had a good session with my favorite things. It was a perfect time-out from the pressures of shooting for an expectant client or shooting to win. No one was there with their expectations, no contracts – just my favorite things and I. I did not move from my place in the papag. I just let my eyes wander behind the lens. And boy, I had a grand time shooting from the veranda.

Text and photos by Paolo Sarangaya

I was one of the luckiest photographers who volunteered recently at the La Mesa Eco Park to cover the first event of Kythe Incorporated (a non-stock, non-profit organization that provides psychosocial support to pediatric cancer patients) dubbed as “Art is Therapy.” Together with my fellow shooters from Advocacy Photographers, Kythe facilitator, art teachers and musician, and kids’ guardians, we spent valuable time in sharing our passion with children who have cancer or chronic illness.

Since there were 20 participating children, they were divided into three groups for the three activities intended for them that day. Each activity was given one and a half hour and there were two photographers assigned per group to capture those special moments through the lens. Just by observing them from afar, I could draw beautiful smile on their faces showing how much they enjoyed the day – playing the guitar and drums, as well as appreciating arts through drawing. 

Every second spent with the children was memorable for me, being able to see their life’s special moments and documenting those memories through my camera. I really didn’t expect much from this event at first but when I was there, I really felt sad because they were really young to face the big ‘C’ and have to spend their time in the hospital rather than outside playing and exploring more about life.

That special day has ended but the memory being with them will never fade away. Even though I didn’t take the best shots of these children, but I know for sure that being a part of the event is an achievement – being able to photograph these little warriors with a brave heart to fight and wanting to see life’s beauty.

This week’s photo of the week winner

Photo by RAY G. ROSARIO (Pangasinan)

 

 

Calling all photography enthusiasts!

If you have a good photograph that you would like to share and you think is good enough to be published, send it to us (including some technical information about the image). We are looking for images of any subject that will catch the readers’ attention and paint a thousand words. After choosing from among those photos submitted, we will publish one as our “Photo of the Week.” For details, please call us at 5278121 local 384, or email your photos to: pictureperfect.mb@gmail.com / picture05perfect@yahoo.com.

Sponsored by:

Creative Construction

The De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Diploma Course in Photography Batch of 2009 recently presented a photo exhibit held at the Shangri-la Mall titled “Creative Construction: Building a Memory within the Four Corners of a Frame.”

The exhibit featured the best works of each student who are currently enrolled in the Photographic Composition (PHOCOMP) class under Bobot Meru, a professional photographer and longtime photo journalist.

The class offers an in-depth study of the basic elements of composition such as shapes, textures, patterns, lines, and colors in nature or in manmade structures. PHOCOMP encourages the students to see the world in a different way and capture this beauty within the four corners of a photograph.

The exhibit was a culmination of the students’ efforts for the semester and it aims to introduce the students into the photographic community as the new voices of Filipino photography. The event was sponsored by YKL Color Laboratories which has continuously supported photographers in the pursuit of their craft.

The De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) Diploma Course in Photography is a one-year, TESDA-accredited program that allows its students the opportunity to develop their artistic style and technique required for a rewarding career in the field of professional photography.