Photography: Day 7 | RAKK on?

When I took this shot, I was minutes away from sleeping since I have work in the evening.

I wasn't out and about this day since I was working on deliverables. Fortunately I was able to get that task done, but I got tired and wasn't able to get my daily shot down yet. I looked at the keyboard and it caught my attention, and played with the color of the LED and stuck with purple.



About the shot:

Shot in the room in a hazy afternoon, with a Huawei P9 on Manual mode.
EXIF data: 1/60s, ISO 1600, 2.2/F @ 27mm. Shot on 1/7/2019 - 2:51PM.


Edited in Snapseed.

Photography: Day 4 | Hunting for something interesting

I usually start and look for interesting subject or lighting on the beginning of the day. I usually hunt as soon as I step out of the office in the morning. I tried a few shots but not getting what I want. So I went and picked up my wife, and straight home and tried again.

Thus I got this cat looking up, I just hope that the light was more interesting, for now I'll go with this image.

About the photo: 

Shot outdoors under a shade on a sunny day, with a Huawei P9 on Manual mode.
EXIF data: 1/60s, ISO 100, 2.2/F @ 27mm. Shot on 1/3/2019 - 8:22AM.


Edited in Snapseed.

Photography: Day 3 | An attempt for a portrait session

It is now, January 3, 2019 around 7am. I'd like to try to write before I get my photo shot. I know it seems weird but, I'd like to write this post and see how I'll construct my write up after the actual shot. Writing the intro shouldn't hurt since this is just a place holder sort of speak...

I spoken with my office mate to accompany me to help me shoot her as subject to help me practice. I have a rough idea what I'll be shooting but I'll have to see how the shooting conditions will be and time constrains.

...Continuing the write up it is now, January 3, 2019, 00:46AM.

So we went out to Metrowalk, a place filled with bars and restaurants that open before or after lunch.  We opted to shoot there since there's minimal people to interfere what we were doing.  I was very happy with the output even though our shooting time was short, we were still able to get a lot of images.

I shot with 2 cameras, 1st on my Huawei P9, 2nd on Sony A7r Mark III. I want to utilize both cameras that I had that time to its fullest during the session.

I hope I can get productive output same as this day.

About the photo: 

Shot outdoors under a shade on a cloudy day, with a Huawei P9 on Manual mode.
EXIF data: 1/60s, ISO 200, 2.2/F @ 27mm. Shot on 1/3/2019 - 8:22AM.

Edited in Snapseed.

Photography: Day 2 | Shall we go out for a walk

I was unable to report to work because my son has been sick since new year's eve. With the help of long hours of rest, and some meds my son felt a better. My wife and son were sound asleep around 5:00 am, so I went out for a walk to practice.

Some might say that it is too early to shoot, but if you're waiting for the first sight of sunrise, I may be cutting in close. But since I live on a hill, getting a clear view of the sky and some foliage. I shot most of that with another camera which will be featured in another post(wink wink).

I was very lucky to get back to my favorite practice spot, when no one was around. I love shooting alone.

I doubt that I'll be alone the following day since I'll have to report to work and think of something. We'll see how that shot comes...

About this photo:

Shot outdoors during sunrise, with a Huawei P9 on Manual mode.
EXIF data: 1/1250s, ISO 3200, 2.2/F @ 27mm. Shot on 1/2/2019 - 7:19AM.

Edited in Snapseed.

Photography: Day 1| How the 1st day of 2019

How did I spend my new year's eve? Simple, I was at work.

Here's another year and the temptation of starting another Project 365. Where you take a photo each day all through out the year.

I was able to complete Project 365 back in 2013(I think) but failed to start it up again, in the previous years after a year of rest.

So, here I am again trying to see where I'm at with my photography and will keep it up to date as much as I can(I hope).

About the photo:

Shot at a dark hallway at work, with a Huawei P9 on Manual mode.
EXIF data: 1/17s, ISO 3200, 2.2/F @ 27mm. Shot on 1/1/2019 - 2:57AM.
Edited in Snapseed.

Sony Philippines’ Wedding Workshop Series take over Manila, Cebu, and Davao

(Manila Philippines, August 2018) – Sony’s Wedding Workshop Series had a successful run which took place in key cities of Manila, Cebu, and Davao. A total of 590 in attendance, Sony Philippines gathered novice and professional wedding photographers and videographers.

Sony Philippines tackled useful tips for Destination Weddings photography, Beauty and Elegance, and shooting beyond ambient lighting. Through these efforts, the participants were able to get a better picture of different wedding photography techniques that were designed to build and strengthen their skills; enabled to help them mold their passion and improve their business.

Ryan Ortega, Jiggie Alejandrino and Jay Palmares during the Wedding Workshop in Davao.

Photography: Baby Photoshoot: Laurisse

We love taking photos of your babies! 

With three older Ate's, Issi's mom has her hands pretty full but that's not an excuse to make sure that she has a great Christening celebration up ahead. We were tapped to do a baby photoshoot at the comfort and convenience of their home, for photos to be printed for the reception and here are some of the photos. :) 

No need to go to the mall to have your own baby photoshoot done! 

As a mom, I know how much energy goes through getting your baby ready to leave the house, it is like a production number with all the things that you need to bring, as well as the costumes and props for the shoot but if you can have the photographer go to your home instead-now that would definitely take a load of what you have to think about! 

BONUS MATERIAL

While Paul was trying to get the exposure for the photoshoot, Issi's Ate came along and was curious about all the excitement. Paul asked her to join the test shots :) 

I belong to a trio of sisters (feeling Charmed ones) LOL and it is a unique bond which can't easily be described, you grow up being protective of each other yet also being conscious and competitive at the same time. You argue about borrowing each other's clothes and shoes and beauty paraphernalia but you still do it anyway.

No matter what happens, it doesn't matter how many years pass by, or how many boys may come along the way, you always come back to that familiar bond that only those of you in that special circle understand. Shout out to my sisters~unfortunately you have one sentimental, cry baby for an 'ate'.   

I know Issi or her sisters may not know it yet but they are also part of that special bond and sisterhood and it is a beautiful thing, indeed. 

Click here for more photos! 

Photography: Baptism: Ser Jacob

For some reason, I stopped blogging about the different event coverages and photo shoots that we (or Paul rather) does. Not that it was planned or anything, things just got busy (most probably) and while, we have been blessed with a number of commissions for the past few weeks, I realized that I should also get back to writing about them. So here I am! 

First, we have Ser Jacob's Christening; I'm not sure if his full name is a shout out to how 
George R.R. Martin wrote the "Game of Thrones" books, as someone who has read the books, I know that 'Ser' is how the knights were addressed in the book~if that is the case then creativity points go to his parents! 

I wasn't so sure about what to write about the event, given that I wasn't even there but as I was looking through the photos, I realized how as a parent (naks!) time is indeed a fleeting moment. Just earlier we were  buying clothes for Luke and I realized that before we used to buy small newborn clothes for him and now we're buying clothes for 9-12 months! (huhuhu) 

I suddenly missed how small Luke was before, he's big now and wrestles his poor mom. Have you seen his legs?! Just one leg drop will make you catch your breath! He also has this habit of throwing his full weight on you and just landing on you-completely taking the breath out of you (and not in the good way).  

So yes moms and dads, hold your little ones tighter and longer, smell their baby smell and treasure it. Make sure to celebrate the little things as well (includes Baptism) and always make sure to have beautiful photos taken to capture these moments~that will be over before you know it! 

Well what do you know, my sentimental side got the best of me (as it always does) and I was able to reflect and write about an important reminder from Ser Jacob's lovely baptism photos! Thank you Mommy and Daddy for trusting us and here's to more and more happy memories! 

Click here for more photos. 

Preview: Ser Jacob's Christening

Last May 5, 2018 a friend asked me to capture a milestone for his 1st born son, Jacob.  Always a joy and a pleasure to be part of a family milestone.

Looking forward to post processing images taken and will be uploading more later.

I'd have to apologize since I haven't been writing or blogging about photography. I'll do my best to post something every so often.

Photography: #VantagePoint

A few weeks ago, me and my wife were invited to attend an event in The Privato Hotel. Which is in a post found on this link.  The event was quite an experience but this is not about that. This is about going around, exploring and finding gems along the way.

My wife is very familiar when I find views, or some photo opportunities, she allows me to do what I want to do which is, take a photo  of whatever I find interesting. After the event I went around and hunted for something interesting, lo and behold I was able to see a view of Makati City from a terrace/smoking area of the hotel.

With that mentioned, I'll stop, and pull out the camera from my bag. And check to see which lens do I have mounted. Unfortunately I all I have with me are my Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8. So the shot that I got is pretty wide.

Thinking about the L16, which has 3 focal lengths in a compact body, which 28mm, 50mm and 150mm. Imagine having that on a compact camera. That would be a great weight lifted off of your camera bag if you have the L16.

Until then, I'll keep shooting with my big and heavy DSLRs. No mirror-less camera for me yet, and definitely no smart phones until I find a light and portable camera that I can carry where ever I go and can hold it's own against my camera/s.

Photography: Project Print 365 February: Struggles and Mistakes

Shooting every day wasn't really that hard, except for a few times where I almost forgot to do it. Last time that I did the project, laziness has been a constant enemy of mine. Although, there were pangs of laziness a few weeks ago, but I won over it and kept at it.

I was thinking of a theme to do every month, February came in too fast and ended too soon for me to think or execute for a theme or I may have thought of doing a theme for the month but wasn't able to get whatever it is in my head.

My struggle was getting the right post processing done, or more like choose the right one, I thought that I could complete the month doing 1 specific post process but I didn't get enough time to do all of the images. So I went back to what I typically do.

My mistake was exporting, files that came out too soft and looks out of focus. But enough of that, next month however, I have a theme and will continue to work on the project.

So far I have printed up to day 59 of 365. We'll see how this rolls.

PHOTOGRAPHY: #VantagePoint Antipolo Cathedral

As mentioned in an earlier post, I have been a happy resident of Antipolo City for years now. Everybody who lives in the city knows the Antipolo Cathedral, since this has been a hub or center for public transport vehicles coming from the Metro or else where.

Historically, the said church has been there since 1632, has incurred damages throughoout the years of historical events(revolts/wars) and natural phenomenon(earthquake), but was re-erected time and again.

The church eventually became a cathedral and national shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Pilgrims, travelers, and devotees flock to the church from all over the country to pray for safe voyage.

When I went around to practice and shoot, as usual lugging around 2 cameras inside of  a shoulder bag that weighs at least 2 pounds. Typically I bring 2 Canon DSLRS(a crop sensor camera and full frame sensor camera), 2 prime lenses and a telephoto lens that I rarely use. So when I think of all of those, when I can go for a smaller camera that can match what I currently have. I'm quite curious when the Light L16 comes out, Would like to get a feel for the camera, since it is rumored to be very light and compact with a revolutionary folded optics, that allows the design team to put more optics and sensor. Specs say that the camera has 16 individual 13MP sensors.

Until then, I'll keep shooting with my big and heavy DSLRs. No mirror-less camera for me yet, and definitely no smart phones until I find a light and portable camera that I can carry where ever I go and can hold it's own against my camera/s.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Why Project Print 365

Back in 2014 I worked and completed project 365. What is project 365? Its a year long project that requires you to shoot daily and produce one image.  It helped a lot and people saw some improvement.

The project helped me improved, in getting the desired exposure, composition(sometimes), post processing and uploading in a timely manner. Often times I find myself dissatisfied with my outputs, but I lived with it and rolled with the punches and found that I completed the project to my surprise.

This 2017, I'll be working on project print 365. This time I'll be completing the process as I would be printing out my work every end of the month(once I have proper funds to do so).  So each day I'll be shooting, and will choose 1 image for print.

Although I won't be posting every single image everyday,(sorry guys) I'll  go for a monthly post on what I've done, the challenges, theme and what not. Will probably upload a few shots on the post and in the Facebook page, but that'll be it.

So far I have completed January, which produced 31 prints. So let's see how this goes....

Photography: It Doesn't End Once You Have it Uploaded

Dear Fellow Photo Enthusiasts,

Photography today seems to be just data. You shoot or capture a scene, the camera captures light with its sensor, camera writes an image file on your SD/CF card, then file gets transferred from camera to computer.  If an image is good enough to be shared, via email/social media posts, web gallery or compiled in a video that may or may not be uploaded to the Internet.  After that where does your images or files end up?

Photography doesn't end once you have an image uploaded in the Internet or saved on your hard drive.  I really think it is our responsibility to have our images printed out, as this is where the final output for an image should go.  Back in the days of film, people had to bring their film rolls to developing houses/studio to get their prints and get a visual of what they have taken.  I really think that it would justify the image if it is print worthy then it must be a sight to be hold.  Hang it in a frame or put it in an album or better yet have a compilation of images in one photo/picture book.  I highly recommend PictureBooks.  I had a few photo books done by them and I quite happy with their work. Recently, I encountered Wonder Photo Shop. and this has been the my go to place when it comes to prints. Their prints are very good and thick

I make it a point to give a print to one of my clients even if they only asked for raw files.  It gives my clients something tangible, to view without using any device, and they can prop it up a table or hang it on a wall.  Either way, it makes me and my client happy.

Prints or real photographs and photo books are my main output.  To date I have printed out 2 photo books, printed out numerous rolls of film(in the days of the old), printed out lots of digital images, given away most of my clients a print in a frame.

When are you going to have yours printed out?

Music: Returning to Music Gigs: Mayonniase live in Eastwood City

Ica: 

We try to go to as much gigs as we can, as long as it fits our unorthodox schedule. Working the night shift, means missing out the weekday gigs and well, sometimes during the weekends we just want to sleep in or binge watch a series or two. 

So whenever a gig is within our range (location and schedule) we go as much as we can, even if it means catching a gig before going to work. I know that's strange for some but its just a way for us to adapt. When I found out that Mayonnaise was playing in Eastwood City, (I work there) and Paul was off from work, we left early (8PM, I have work at 11PM) and after some errands was enjoying a short and sweet set from one of our favorite local bands. 

I have yet to review their latest album, "For The Rest Of My Life" but that's definitely on the to-do list. They will also be celebrating their 14th Anniversary on the first of October at 12 Monkeys. Not sure if we'll be able to drop by - we'll see. :) 

Paul: 

It's always nice to get pretty close to the stage since most if not all the people are focused in drinking, socializing or what not. I enjoyed Mayonnaise's cover of 'When it rains' by Paramore before I brought out my camera. Yes, I know I missed a few opportunities but I tend to enjoy live performances first to get a feel for the crowd, lighting, ambiance and other elements. 

While shooting, it finally hit me that I missed shooting live performances and then I asked myself, 'When was the last time that I watched/shot a live performance?' Sadly I cannot recall. One thing is certain, I definitely missed going to music gigs. I miss the familiar faces, people swaying to the rhythm,  heads bobbing to the beat and the sing alongs.

While we stand at the beginning of Q4 of 2016, I could see a lot of gigs headed my way.  I just hope our(wife & my) schedule and budget can go for all of them but alas, well see where our feet will bring us. 

Again, we'll see...

More photos here.

Triple Threat Team! - Team Gino

Talk about a BETTER, STRONGER and CONSISTENT Team!

Team Gino - not only was awarded BEST TEAM for September but they also bagged the coveted title for OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER as well!

Not only that but a reliable source also told me that they might be the Best Team for DECEMBER as well! Wow!

The Team wanted to do something special for their shoot, so we actually left Eastwood and went to nearby Tiendesitas. Unfortunately we weren't really able to explore much and just settled for one spot. The Security Guards were already hovering around us like a pack of vultures.

Seriously, why can't commercial areas be more like BGC? Which is a Photography Friendly area.

Anyways we still made the best of what we had and here are the photos!

Go Team Gino!

Team June: Photoshoot

The shirts that they've wearing says it all - this team - this accomplishment is worth fighting for! The statement tees which were originally a fund raising project for a sibling of one of our colleagues who became ill (she's now doing better) served a double purpose for their best team photoshoot when they bagged the coveted best team title for the month of September.

I know that June has been working hard to reach this goal & it has been a long wait for the team - they are after all the first team in their line of business to achieve this goal.

So - on a Saturday morning team June proudly wore their statement shirts posed & smiled for the camera for their Best Team Photoshoot after all - it's fighting for.

Click here for more photos!

BSC CSAW Family Day

Growing up, we've always had "family day" activities in school, they had different names - Felowship Day, School Fair, whatever it was called on paper, it had the same goal and objective - to build camaraderie. I have long since graduated and have left family day activities as memories in old photo albums but I never thought I would encounter it again, outside of school and in my adult life - I forgot how much fun it was. 

In celebration of Customer Service Aprreciation Week or CSAW (pronounced as "see-saw" as we would fondly call it) -the culmination of a whole week of fun games and activities was a good old Family Day in a Carnival-Sportsfest fashion.

Set on a Saturday morning after work, colleagues and co-workers gathered in a covered court where colorful stalls offering free food and fun games with prizes awaited. Participants had their faces painted with colorful designs and the happy memories immortalized by going to the Photobooth. 

It didn't take long for the program to start (complete the singing of the Philippine National anthem) and when it did everyone had a great time over classic parlor & relay games such as Maria Goes to Market Calamansi Relay and Sack Race among others. Did I mention that there also beautiful muses who strut their stuff and showcased their quick wit in a little surprise Question & Answer portion. While the parlor & relay games gave everyone the chance to play & participate, it was the Volleyball & Basketball games which the crowd looked forward to. Co-workers who were also athletes in their own right strapped in their gear and set off in heated battles. 

I was never into sports - being a nerd & bookworm all my life. Needless to say I did not contribute anything to the Sports sections of the school newspapers I was a part of. So even if I had no interest in sports nor could I following the scoring or rules I still had fun watching & cheering on colleagues as they displayed their physical & athletic prowess. 

There were beautiful babies and cute children which brought some extra joy to the already joy filled court. The kids had fun with the cotton candy, pop corn, carnival style games and of course - the face paint! It was nice to meet these cuties who my colleagues work so hard for, to be able to proved them with a beautiful future. 

Winners and MVPs were awarded with medals and trophies while eager attendees won home appliances in an ever exciting raffle. I'm happy to say that I took home an oven toaster :) 

It may not have been the usual family day with your immediate family, where the dad's were the ones who played Maria Goes to Market complete with a required shaking of the hips, while the moms nag for you to get something to eat but it was a different kind of family day, the kind you spend with your other family and that would be your family for work. :) 

                                              Click HERE for over 300 photos Photos! 

Enzo's First Birthday

I met Mae in the office and we soon discovered that we both love photography. Mae herself shoots her photos and is well versed in photography terms enough to carry out a conversation with Paul. She was even our accidental seat mate in one of the seminars during the Digital Photographer Philippines event. Which is why is why we were really honored when she asked us to cover her son's first birthday celebration.

Like us, Mae understands the importance of capturing memories and immortalizing them in photographs; and just like us she understands that it's not as simple as using your mobile phone and clicking non-stop.

Remember that we are talking about memories here and its always a good idea to invest in great quality photos. It's sad to think that some people are content with just taking a few low quality photos and uploading it on Social Media. With the advancement in technology we should take it upon ourselves not to settle for just any photos but to really look into having photos which will make us smile and bring us back to that moment, no matter how many years has already passed and beautiful photos can do that.

Thank you Mae for believing in us! As a fellow shutterbug that really means a lot! :)

Click here for more photos!

Sabina's Christening

Kat - Sabina's mom tagged me to shoot her daughter's Christening. I always adored kids and families, and I love to be part of important occasions.  As mentioned in a Facebook post: " My wife never had any photographs of her Christening."  The thought of that scares me, when it comes to important milestones of our family. As a photographer, I will commit to capturing these important moments.

 I'd stab myself in the eye if that ever happens to me and my future kids.

Back when Kat was working in the same office as me, I listened to her stories about her family's adventures. As I watch (Facebook newsfeeds) I got to see their family grow and then I recently discovered that Kat was pregnant and having a baby. It seems that they were blessed with a baby girl, Sabina Keila and I was honored to have been tapped to cover her Christening.

More photos here.