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!



The exhibition ran for a whole week, from September 29 to October 5 at the SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It was a whole visual festival for photographers and photography enthusiasts alike. It contained a wide gallery featuring works from a dozen or so well-known contemporary photographers like (the late) Ed Masferre, Manny Librodo, Emmanuel Santos, Red Ognita, Xyza Bacani, and the late Pinoy master rapper Francis Magalona.

I wasn't able to attend each and every talk and lecture, but the handful I went to proved invaluable to all of my future photography studies. Here's a simple run-down of what was discussed when:

The first one I managed to attend was :Lito Sy: Live!" featuring hotshot wedding photographer Lito Sy and the launch of a new Pentax camera, the medium-format Pentax 645Z. Well, it highlighted the gear more on and using them properly both inside the studio and the field.

During the shoot demo of the 645Z.

Lito reveals the end product prints

Lito and DPP's Nigel discuss the advantages of medium format

The main man explains what to use and how

The shot was mesmerizing enough to get me to stay behind and take a picture of it.

Following that, I attended "Conversations: Making it as a Fine Art Photographer" with guest speakers Emmanuel Santos, Red Ognita, and other professional photographers. Right after that was "Dreamscapes: Beyond Monochrome" by Red Ognita.

What I learned there will forever influence my photography. The discussions in the first lecture talked about how "fine art" is defined, and how it revolves between and outside profession and vocation. In-depth, the speakers discussed on why it is important for photographers to seek out their true passions and not be dependent on feeding off from the sea of "inspiration." The talk also involved some discussion about how photography is still unappreciated in the PH as a form of art but steps are being taken to create a brighter future for shutterbugs across the country.

For the second lecture, I learned from Mr. Ognita the importance of "seeing as print" - a monumental yet crucial task in creating fine art photographs, as well as taking photography seriously. He talked enthusiastically about why one should keep to his own vision; to be critical on one's own work, and how black-and-white/monochromatic photography has helped him discover his own path.

Last but not the least was Kurt Kamka's "Learning How to Develop Your Own Style," where much can be learned for street photography enthusiasts. He gave attendees a personal take on how, through time and practice, got his flair for photographing urban innards and the people that thrive within.

Kurt Kamka's presentation

Aside from the lectures, the exhibit featured the works of several masters in the art of capturing light, as mentioned above. Each displayed fantastic works that were surely not just eye candy, but mind-bending pieces of form and color. Of course, I'm not going to post photos of their stuff - that would take away the experience from anyone viewing the gallery (which I hope people go to see, rather than google).

One of my personal favorites, Wright's works of patterns in nature

Some of Francis Magalona's awards

Wish I had more funds so I could've attended each day of the exhibition's talks, launches and lectures. I hope DPP will hold Manila Photo again next year! Meanwhile... I'll post some gear talk in another entry.