/ CONSISTENTLY INCONSISTENT /

.. you just don’t care how late you sleep as long as you’re in “the zone”.

But I’m off to bed now, since I still have church tomorrow.

/aF

Lately I’ve been working on a new set of photos for an updated portfolio. It’s somewhat hard to work on something when you have a gazillion of photos to choose from, and trying to narrow it down to a handful of what you think are your “best” photos. And then there’s deciding on how to categorize them – Color, Black and White, Infrared, or People, Landscapes, Events, etc. *sigh*. So how do you decide and categorize? How do I make a catchy, unique, “that’s so me” portfolio?

This is quite the challenge. I’m giving myself a personal deadline of December 5 to finish it, Softcopy at least. For print, I’m still thinking about it.

/aF

Date: Monday, November 16, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: CCF 4th flr Overflow Rm., CCF St. Francis Square, Julia Vargas, Mandaluyong City.

Do check out Digital Photographer Philippines Issue 28, some of my photographs were published as part of On Assignment 6.0. A photo safari with old and new friends, sponsored by Digital Photographer Philippines Magazine, Caltex, and MTV.

/aF

I haven’t been spending much time with Wolfe, my personal mac, lately, due to tons of work and projects that I’m dealing with at my current job. So, this morning, as I was stuck at home because of the rain, I was so surprised to see that Wolfe was acting up on me – at least 5 times. Always prompting me that I need to restart. I did a disk check and oh boy, it’s official. Wolfe needs to be checked.

I consulted with a friend and he advised me to uninstall any programs I’ve recently installed (Goodbye MCF Ravenhearst -for now.) and so far so good, I’ve been able to work with Wolfe for the past 7 hours without any problems. But still, Wolfe needs to be brought in. Thank God for Applecare.

…my Lord, I don’t wanna be there…

Gary Valenciano sings “Take Me Out Of The Dark” at CCF’s 25th Anniversary.

//aF

This year, I am blessed to be part of CCF Photoministry, and was given the opportunity to shoot during the 25th anniversary at Araneta Coliseum. It was one amazing experience. To God be all the glory!

//aF

Schmap again selected, and included my photograph in their Yosemite National Park online guide. I received a message from their managing director Emma Williams that my photograph has been included. Thank you, Schmap!

We are off to Davao for the rest of the week. Praying for good weather. Looking forward to seeing friends whom I haven’t seen for a long time. Looking forward to more bonding moments with new friends from MBS.

As soon as I get back, it’s back to the corporate life for me again the next day. But hopefully, I can post photos from the trip right away.

Wishing everyone a Blessed week!

Just a small collection of photographs that I presented to CCF Photo Ministry last July 29, 2009.

Photography Portfolio from Ann Francisco on Vimeo.

Last night was a big night for me, as it was finally announced that I have been selected as one of the participants of Digital Photographer Philippines Magazine’s “On Assignment”. This would be the 6th time that DPP would be sending out a team to embark on a great adventure, to share our photos and experiences from the trip. On Assignment 6 is a collaboration between Digital Photographer Philippines, MTV Philippines, and Caltex, the last 2 being the main sponsors for this event. We’ll be leaving for a trip up north this July. The 6th On Assignment team will be led by Derick Gamboa.

Thanks to Jerry Tieng for the photo.

So I get a very interesting news again from Emma Williams. Another one of my photographs has been shortlisted for their Yosemite guide. Hopefully I get word from them again in a few weeks if my photograph gets included again.

It has been a very blessed week so far.

Thanks to many friends from Pipho and DPP for the photos, especially Rhon, Aly, Mic, Mark, Cholo, Parc, Raffy, Richard, Ela, Sir John, My sister Beng, Dare Duo, for the photos and videos used for this pitch.

Interstate 15

Roadtrips are always fun. It does take hours, or even days longer than taking a plane, but when taking a plane, one misses out on the breathtaking views one can find along the way.

Almost a year ago, we drove on Interstate 15 – a roadtrip from Las Vegas back home to San Diego. Its usually a 5-hour drive but it took us about 7 or more, having some stops along the way. We crossed more than 50 miles of the Mojave Desert, which could have been an interesting place to explore, but given the 100-degree weather and not being allowed to stop on freeways, I settled with taking photos from our car.

We left Vegas in the afternoon, so it meant that by sundown, we would still be on the road. I loved the colors of the sky and the silhouette of the mountains, electrical posts and radio towers. They were so simple, yet so beautiful given the perfect time of day.

I turned on my computer just now and was welcomed by a good surprise – A photo of mine has been selected and included in the 7th Edition of Schmapp San Francisco guide, a free online guide for desktops, iPod touch and iPhones.

Here’s a bigger version of the photo

More info here.

Many thanks to Schmap, Managing Editor Emma Williams, and My SF boys – John Z, Niong S, Richie P, and Jonsi S. Especially to John Z.

These landscapes were once thought of as useless and unworthy, with conclusions varying from not having the right color, or the right “uummfph” or even the right feel (by myself, of course). But, after some dedicated time and much labor of love, I’ve made it to what I envisioned them to be. Black and White photographs eventually became a favorite, along with grain, which for me, adds more personality to the photographs in this set. I am loving the dark tones, high contrasts and that old grainy film look. Soon I shall have these in print.

What influenced me to be passionate about black and white photographs are the works of Michael Kenna and Simon Marsden. Though my work is far from their style and grandeur, I still see them as inspirations. We are all works in progress, after all.

//aF

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Hopefully by next year, I’ll upgrade to a B- or a B. *fingers crossed*

I love sunsets. While it is still a challenge for me to be able to take photographs of them perfectly, I am always in awe every time I have the chance to witness one, and I do try my best to capture them. Another one of my favorites, taken at Donsol, Sorsogon. After a long journey from Camarines Sur, we made it just in time to see the day ending.

//aF

Some of my iPhone-related prayers are finally being answered! Copy and Paste, MMS.. finally!

More info here.

Coming out on June 17. Admittedly, I am a bit excited.

I met up with a friend at around midnight and we had coffee. It was great catching up and all, but I never learn. Coffee + Midnight = Insomnia. Not being able to sleep, I decided to work on the photos from my recent shoot, given that the deadline is coming up. Below are some of the photos that I’ve done so far.

So my problem now, is that they’re starting to get to me. Now I’m hungry, and I swear, I could smell cooked meat. Imagination? perhaps. But there’s nothing I can do now but try to sleep (while hungry) seeing that it’s already 5:30 in the morning and no decent food establishment could offer me something this good. (plus, it’s not really my thing to go out this late, just to eat.)

I feel accomplished, but now, I’m realizing that I may have unconsciously tortured myself. Though I can say that I’m happy with my photos, I’m currently a very very hungry photographer.

(and bringing out the best through a little help from Photoshop…)

August 2008, Grand Canyon, Arizona.

Rain or Shine, we were set to go to the Canyon. Unfortunately, it rained. But it was very interesting to see that amidst the stormy clouds, the sun was still there, peeking. It wasn’t a bad trip after all. Having only 3 ours to explore, and a bit of rain and some dark clouds, we made the most of what time we had, with the weather we had, and I feel blessed that I was still able to capture these photographs inspite of these circumstances.

—

It was one summer day last August 08 when we were blessed with a bizarre weather – 80% chance that it would be raining in Arizona. We were blessed with rainclouds which made our tour more interesting. As soon as we got off the bus, it started to rain. But Thank God that the rain stopped and the sun started to peek a bit as we walked along the 3-mile overlook of the Canyon.

Solace was indeed what we found when we visited the Grand Canyon. To describe it as grand would be an understatement. Even in a few hours of visit, we were all left in awe with this wonderful creation.

//aF

—

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the United States’ oldest national parks and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the major natural wonders of the world. The park covers 1,902 mi² (4927 km²) of unincorporated area in Coconino County and Mohave County.

The Grand Canyon itself, including its extensive system of tributary canyons, is valued for the combination of large size, depth, and the exposed layering of colorful rocks dating back to Precambrian times. It was created through the incision of the Colorado River and its tributaries after the Colorado Plateau was uplifted and the Colorado River system developed along its present path.

//wikipedia

This remains to be a favorite of mine, as it reminds me of my humble beginnings more than 2 years ago in this hobby.

Taken in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Here’s a recent burden that I’ve been feeling in the past few months that I recently posted in some photography forums that I am a member of.

How far will you go just to get ahead?

I’m very, very interested to hear other people’s thoughts on this.

Something to think about, right?

//aF

There comes a time when you just get tired of all the serious photography sites and forums you usually visit, when you feel burnt out and you feel that you need something light. While I was browsing the web a couple of days ago, I stumbled upon Photojojo.com, a photography website that’s just great for both amateurs and professionals, who can always use some light, yet useful reading about the craft we’re all passionate about. “We find the best photo shiz anywhere” is what they claim, and I have to agree. They have a forum, crafts, news, a newsletter, and a time capsule (more about it in the next few days, I’m still waiting for mine.) Check them out at http://www.photojojo.com

//aF

… or what it should’ve been when we were there.

A recent visit to Daraga, Albay gave us the chance to see one of the world’s most beautiful places. Mayon Volcano, boasts of a nearly perfect cone shape. Others say that its beauty now does not even compare to how majestic and how perfect it was before. It is the Philippines’ most active volcano, with its last eruption in 2000, 47th since it first erupted in 1616.

A few meters and a few minutes walk past the Cagsawa ruins, lies this somewhat dainty stream, probably what used to be a lava trail in the past. Now a nice place for photographers or even non-photographers, one can enjoy a different view of the volcano or perhaps dip his feet on the shallow waters and feel its cool and refreshing flow. Highly recommended for tired feet.

Definitely something to re-visit when I go back to Bicol.

// aF

I had my first impromptu food shoot the other day, and I could say it was an interesting experience. When you’ve been shooting rocks, clouds and mountains for almost the whole duration of your “photography” life, One could find solace trying out a different field. Here are some of my test shots from yesterday’s shoot.

We worked with what we have. The shoot only being an hour’s notice, we had no choice but use natural light for this one. I think we did pretty good. Thanks to my sister Beng for assisting, and for Kuya Jay for the invite. The Beef Salpicao is now a favorite!

More photos to follow in a few days.

//aF