Kwento #4.5: Gearhead-gasm at ManilaPhoto

ManilaPhoto was more than just a string of talks and a fine gallery of masterpieces - it also served as a platform for camera and related accessories manufacturers to strut their stuff and attract potential markets. Numerous gizmos made it to the stand both for consumer- and commercial- level photography, and I believe many enthusiasts had the time of their lives testing out different cameras and lenses made available for the occasion.

Look at all those shelves. Drool.

Limited in time and funding (for dinner lol), I made the most out of exploring the gear gallery of the exhibit at the 3rd floor of SM Aura Premier.

Jump!

Kwento #4: Learnings at Manila Photo

It’s been a while since I last wrote, pretty much because of business or boredom, but while those hours passed without any visible progress in my photography work I’m glad to have come across things that have enriched my experience and learning along the way.

One such event that gave me a good insight and really good points to learn was Manila Photo, an event organized by DPP, one of the top photography magazines in the country. I had been looking forward to listening to unsolicited advice from several renowned professionals in the field. Turns out the experience will be one of a kind and the learning I'll receive very useful for many years to come.

More stuff after the jump!

Kwento #3: Throwbacks, Flashbacks, and the signature kick of "film"

Photography began in the Age of Analog, long before all the digital thingamajigs were invented, the medium was made up of something only chemists probably understand the most: film. But the surprising thing about it is that digital has only gone mainstream recently, in fact, it's probably only a little beyond a decade.

Not dead yet. So far.

The look and feel of a photograph shot on film is still strong (like it was the force...) in people's tastes today that aside from keeping the medium alive, many digital-only applications and even camera manufacturers employ software to make images give that classic "film look." We even have a new tradition for it (sort of): Throwback Thursdays (and for the late posters, Flashback Fridays)

Unbelievable? Read on and find out :)

Kwento #2: Shooting dietary delights

Portraits are the "in" thing today. From selfies to glamor shoots, they're everywhere (but here in Manila, it's mostly at NAPAW haha). Taking a break from the sea of faces (and occasional heavenly bodies, as well as cats, and cat-related memes), I took the opportunity to join a local camera store's in-house food photography workshop.

And in that short two-hour lecture, I learned how to shoot stuff like this:

I was successful in my attempt to restrain myself from eating it on set.

Click "read more" to ... well, see more!

Lakbayin #4.5: Way older than I thought- the San Juan del Monte Church

Right after my leisure trip around Pinaglabanan Shrine I came across this church - which reminds me of Castlevania with its old stone walls and bell towers. Situated along F. Blumentritt St., in San Juan City, the church is named "San Juan del Monte" and its proper name, Santuario del Santo Cristo.

There's no mistaking that almost-Renaissance architecture.

Lakbayin #4: Pinaglabanan Shrine, San Juan City

Metro Manila is actually a messed-up metropolis with a lot of history. Aside from the main spots like Intramuros, its neighboring cities - Quezon City, Taguig, San Juan, among others - have pockets of Philippine history worth visiting.

Scenic? Yes. Historic? Yes. That building to the left? SPOILS IT ALL, YES.

Aside from the usual Spanish this, Spanish that features left behind by 300+ years of colonial rule by Spain, the world's most notorious texting hub possesses small, fascinating finds worth looking into, if you're into reviewing Philippine history (or its formation into the republic we know today). I found one with the limited range I can get with my bike currently, nestled comfortably in the quiet heart of the old city of San Juan, Metro Manila.

Kwento #1: A resurrection of the body

Photography is a risky thing, especially when being done on assignment.

Recently, I was hired to take on a video shoot in Bulacan, where I needed to get the help of a fellow Pentaxian who happened to specialize in video. Due to circumstances my friend couldn't attend the shoot so I took over the role and borrowed his Pentax K-01 for the mission.

Everything was going well until we were shooting in a tight location at the edge of a river, with the house we're in on standing on stilts, and dank, murky water all around us. I did what I could to keep the gear safe, but in that ONE moment I had to put the tripod and camera down, the inevitable accident happened.

The setup fell off-balanced on the WeiFeng tripod it was mounted on, into the water, and took me some time to get it back, probably around 5-6 seconds. Attached to the K-01 was my dear DA* 50-135, and the body was promptly dead, with the lens having some focusing issues afterwards.

Dazed, broken and embarrassed, I went on with the shoot until the job was done. Of course I had to let my friend know his cam was dead, so I promised to replace it with a brand-new one, which I did the next day.

I took the unit and was conclusive the water damage can't be undone, but somehow, hoped for the best and kept it in a drybox with a dehumidifier for three days. It stayed dead for three days...

Lakbayin #3: A Synapse Trip from a Citrus Fill to Across the Universe

Daydreaming has been my hobby for a long time.

It's unhealthy, sure, and is probably a good (or bad?) sign of a mental illness or something.
I don't know, maybe I'm a little depressed.
or as the old Matchbox Twenty song puts it,
a little unwell.

I've been dreaming of an adventure, the kind that sounds a little like a trip across Middle-Earth...

with sights like this, who needs a desk job?*

Lakbayin #2: Of the spokes of the sun and rays of the wheel

As the saying goes, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", I took my first. But it was not a step, but perhaps more of a ...roll. The day was February 7, 2014.

I've been planning for the longest time to set out and go explore, even if it's just around town. It took forever to get me to do it- but somehow this time, I did. Without planning. Without hesitation.