on Summer Beach Getaways and Processing Portraits

Photography is like cooking, when you overcook something it wouldn't taste good. But leaving it raw can be a good thing.

We had our annual summer beach overnight with photographer, model and makeup artist friends in Talicud Island last weekend. It was yet another fun-filled stay in a beach where there is no electricity or running water and can only be accessed by boat. And of course we still had the usual sunset beach shoot. But this year we weren't so lucky because the sunset was shorter than what we normally expect during the summer months.

I decided to go against the norm for summer beach shoots and aim for black and white. I knew most photos from my photographer friends would come out in color because it is in the beach and around sunset plus you have a lovely model with nice skin tone. Well, going against the grain is what I am known for anyways so I might as well stay that way. And simple is always better for me. I don't need for it to be razor sharp or for the contrast to pack a punch. I just want my photo to retain the character of my model.

And I will never over process because I'd lose the essence of the portrait and get some sort of digital Frankenstein. It is a common mistake which photographers without their own personal styles make. They do all sorts of Dave Hill, Rarindra Prakarsa, Luko or Manny Librodo sharpening and stop only when they think its all there. For me HDR and portraits don't go well. And all those unnatural looking eyes and skin tone seem like they have been inspired by horror flicks. Funny thing is they spend hours and hours just to get THAT look. ** insert face palm here ** Experimenting is good but knowing how much post processing can be applied is what works best especially for portraits where you really have to retain the personality of the model.

A little color efex and totally rad action scripts here and there plus a bit of preset editing from lightroom and I am done. A good photo is a good photo even when it is unprocessed and no amount of post processing will make a bad photo look good. Just like a steak is good when it is rare or medium rare and ruined when it is well done.

Once again, thank you to Kate for being a fabulous model. To Karina Asetre and Kaye Garino for the makeup and styling. And to the Photobombers for another successful summer getaway.

On Insects and People

A client once asked me: why do you spend more time shooting insects than shooting people?

She probably wondered because I told her that I spent a lot of time shooting macro when I should be out earning a living to support my hobby. I know insects can't pay me. In fact, I spent more on macro stuff than any other type of gear; I even use my only portraiture lens for macro purposes. The return on investment is practically zero in macro photography. Nobody wants to buy stock photos since its too easy to just go out and shoot. And those darn macro lenses are so darn expensive.

So why do I do it?

Well, for one, there is a different sort of satisfaction in taking photos and learning at the same time. You get to observe insects and other living things up close. You learn how they move, react to people and what they are made of. It's fun to spend hours on end crawling and searching for new insects in a grassy field; cuts, itching and all. And shooting macro is no easy feat especially with jittery insects and all the things that crawl around your feet. I developed discipline and patience; moving slowly and not rushing into things is key in this field.

And there are other things as well...

Insects do not complain how you shoot or what your output looks like after. They don't dictate to you anything and they don't make faces when they aren't happy. Oh, and they trust you fully. How can I say they trust me? Because they sit still. If they don't trust me, they just simply jump or fly away. No words said, no complains, they will just let you shoot if they want you too; creative freedom at its finest.

I wish people were more trusting or honest just like insects.

And lastly, unlike most other hobbyists who aspire to become pro photographers, I do not aim to be like Lito Sy, Dino Lara or any of the other big name photographers. My dream is to be a National Geographic Society photographer. Now, I can't name any NatGeo photographers even after watching that special on macro photography; but I do know I want to be one. Growing up, my dad a whole collection of NatGeo magazines and I read every one of them. And ever since, I wanted to take those kinds of pictures. Shooting macro is my way of somehow living my dream. I am not a NatGeo photographer (yet), but at least I am making interesting photos. That in its self is worth the time and money I spend.

So there... I am, and will always be a macro photographer first and everything else second.

(I'll leave you with my newest addition to my growing macro insect dictionary.) :D

Tortoise Beetle

White Leafhopper

Derbid Bug

The Playground

I remembered that as a kid growing up in a community of well-off families and going to a pseudo-prestigious school, my mom always reminded me to count my blessings. She always said that we were lucky to have the things we had. I didn't really understand what she meant until I was a bit older because back then, everyone else in our community had more than what we had. I didn't grow up envying the other kids but there were also times that I wished I had more. Of course, I was a kid, and every kid wished for the best toys and stuff.


Just last week, I remembered what my mom always told me. I was attracted to a bunch of school kids playing on a felled tree. Sure, I played around dead trees and other dirty environments before but back then it was more of a choice. The kids I saw didn't have much of a choice; they didn't have a playground at their public school. The experience made me look back at what I had when I was a kid and realized how lucky I was even though back then my family didn't have much of the luxuries other families enjoyed. I felt that taking photographs of these school kids was my duty and it wasn't for artistic purposes. I matured a bit more while taking these shots. I cannot begin to describe the thoughts running through my head during the time it took to capture the images. But the kids had fun even in such conditions; I couldn't say that it was fun for me. Perhaps enlightening would be a better term.

These kids still find reason to smile. Kids will be kids. Ignorance to reality is bliss. But then again, how can I tell that then do not know what their reality is? Perhaps, they just chose to ignore it and just have fun.

The 2010 TO DO List

It’s the first working day of the year. I don’t feel any changes yet but I think that they will come soon enough. All I have to worry about right now is how to further progress in my field and in my fields of interest. And I am making a "TO DO" list for 2010 and hopefully fulfill whatever I set out to do this year. So here goes:

- Travel.
I need to travel since I have been stuck in Davao for the last two years. I want to go to Manila to see my friends and relatives (and get a copy of my transcript). And I want to go to places where I can take pretty landscape photos.

- Get started on my MBA degree.
I have been putting this one on hold for the last two years. I hope this year I will find the time and the finances to further my career. It’s one of those things that I need to do to get a better job.

- Take at least one good photo everyday (or 7 a week, whichever is much more convenient).
I read about this Project365 on the internet where photographers take at least one picture everyday so that they can hone their skills in photography. And since I want to get better at photography, then I might as well try it. I don't think it will be too much of a hassle for me and it’s interesting to see if I really have the patience for this hobby.

- Gain around 10 pounds of lean muscle mass.
I know people never really get contented with what they have but then again, I'm putting a limit to what I want to look like. I don't want to be bulky and muscle-bound like other guys. I just want to be lean and just have enough muscle that I wouldn't be shy about taking my shirt off. =P

- Fix all those Government IDs and whatnots.
My TIN and SSS IDs are both in Manila. I need to change my address to Davao City. And I need to fix other stuff like PhilHealth and HDMF records too. What a drag.

- Open a savings account.
I need to do this so that I won't spend as much of my salary as I am now. I really need to save up for the stuff I need and want. Right now, I can't control spending because there is a lot of ready cash available in my ATM.

- Write more.
Before, I write about once a week. But since I have been busy with other things, I'd like to make it a point to write at least twice a month. And perhaps make some photo blogs too.

- Continue living a Healthy Lifestyle.
I really don't need to emphasize more on this one.
- Get a new credit card.
My current credit card is a hassle because not all stores accept it and most that do not offer installments. It's a pain when shopping for big items like camera stuff. I need to get perhaps a BDO or HSBC card but one would be enough for my purposes.

- Buy a new camera lens and bag.
I need just one lens (a 55-200mm zoom lens) and a backpack. And I need a few other stuff like flash, IR remote trigger, extra batteries and filters. But I won't spend that much on accessories right now, maybe when I get Photo-ops in the coming months. Right now, I'll just have to make do with what I have.

There, 10 things I need/want to do this 2010. I'll add more as I go along. I hope that I'll be able to do all of them this year (or at least most). And I hope that all of you will have a great 2010 too!

Post Xmas and Early New Year's Blog

It's the week after Christmas and I'm back in my desk, working on year-end tasks. It's a bit weird to be working during the holidays as this is the first time in four years I had to come to work after Christmas; usually I take a break during the Holidays.

I learned something profound this year; something that friends have been telling me about since four years ago. I learned how to wait for my time to be happy. People know for a fact that I am a result driven person and I hate waiting. But this year, I waited and it was worth it. And it’s true, that happiness doesn't come in a box or is found when you seek it. It comes when you least expect it; as a pleasant surprise.

I have had a lot of reasons to smile this year, and it was not because I looked for it. I went about my business with much hope that this was my year. And yes, good things really do come to those who wait. I'll apply my new found patience and wait some more; I feel that something is coming that would make me smile from ear to ear.

As for my Christmas wish, I think everyone knows what I really want. It's not something that comes in a small or big package; it’s not even a thing but a person. Well, I didn't hang a stocking that could fit a person in it, but then again I feel that I'm waiting has paid-off. I thank all my friends who, in those four years always reminded me that there was someone for me, and for listening to my endless rants. And for all those who tried to hook me up with their friends and supported my search for the ONE.

Lastly, gifts aren't that important to me anymore. The best gifts I ever received are the love and support of family and friends. I met a lot of new friends this year, and I am truly thankful for that; friends are truly a blessing. There is not much that I could ever ask for. I have lived a contented life this past year and I wish for it to stay the same in 2010. I wish to say THANK YOU to everyone who have been a part of my 2009 and I hope that they all stay for 2010 and beyond.



SEASONS GREETINGS TO EVERYONE... HAPPY NEW YEAR... GOD BLESS US ALL!