Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category
On Creating Personal Portfolios
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
DPP Issue 28: On Assignment 6.0
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
Schmap – Yosemite Online Guide
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.
Black, White, and Grain.
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
How far will you go just to get ahead?
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?
Are you willing to bend the rules just to win?
How about a scenario…
A contest with a specific theme whose main rule is for the photograph to be taken a certain date. you check your archives and it gave you an idea that would be perfect for the contest theme. Knowing that the shooting date could be an issue, you proceed with your idea and shoot it anyway. And just to play safe, you change your exif. A few weeks later, you find out you win.
How proud would you feel of your accomplishment?
Or… when they say in the rules that post processing is not allowed, but you just felt a little bit of post processing would make the photo great, will you do it?
“If you can get away with it, why not” comes to mind. But last week, I heard this saying that goes, “Image is what you do in public. Character is what you do in private”
I’m very, very interested to hear other people’s thoughts on this.
Something to think about, right?
//aF
Majestic Mayon
… 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
First Food Shoot.
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
