Empty perfume

I was looking at the picture of perfume ad in a magazine and I thought of trying the same shot. I set up this shot inside my room. It's an empty bottle of Eternity perfume which I used as my subject, sort of ala magazine shot.

For this set-up, I used two flashes, 1 with an improvised snoot with blue filter and another flash, handheld placed above the object, camera on my right hand :)

Hmmmm, I should have polished the metal to get the shining effect that I want since it was an old and empty bottle. Oh well, I'll do that next time. ;)





test shot...no filter on the background


here's the next shot with blue filter...


here's the final output with enhanced color.

Aldrin and Mellany's Wedding

My friend and travel buddy, Mel, got married yesterday. Actually only few friends were invited to this wedding and I was one of those lucky friends to be included. =) The wedding was held in Enclave T House, Tagaytay.

Mel had requested me to take photos although they had an official photographer to cover their wedding. She's my travel buddy and a photo enthusiast like me, Mel had seen some worthy pictures that I've taken hence, the request. It was less pressure on my side as I don't have to cover the whole wedding ceremony. Jamie, our common friend, was also there and did some assistance in the lighting. Thanks Jamie!

Hope you like the pictures. Congratulations and best wishes to Aldrin and Mel.

Flash Tutorial - Bounced Light

A collaboration of 5 professional photographers: Bert Stephani, Peter Van Impe, Tom Museeuw, Ake Van De Velden and Isabel Corthier capturing beautiful images thru bouncing of lights producing very nice effect.



different locations, BELGIUM - Professional photographers Bert Stephani (www.bertstephani.com), Pieter Van Impe (www.fotografie-vanimpe.be), Tom Museeuw (www.fotofolio.be), Ake Van der Velden (www.akevandervelden.be) and Isabel Corthier (www.isabelcorthier.com) set of on a 24 hour mission. In that periode they bounced the light on different locations in Belgium.

Joe McNally Photoshoot in the Dessert (Flash Tutorial)

Photo shoot using strobes with Joe McNally. David Hobby was in this shoot assisting McNally. Great collaboration. Look at the strobes used in this photo shoot, to create the perfect shots. Enjoy!

Amorsoloesque Workshop by Maricris Fabi Carlos

Today, I had the opportunity to attend the first ‘Amorsoloesque’,a photo enhancement and manipulation workshop which was made possible by Mike Sabarre’s MS Studioworks.

It was actually my second time to attend a workshop with MS Workstudio. The first was with Mr. Parc Cruz and this time with equally creative and talented photographer, Ms. Maricris Fabi Carlos.

We started the workshop with a photo shoot. The participants were grouped into three whom will take turns in taking photos of our beautiful and sexy model,Ms. Kristine Mae Aquino, who’s also a professional belly dancer/artist. She obviously had the right to wear those outfits, gorgeous indeed! Oh, I must say she really moves gracefully, how she flips her hands and turn around seems to be less effort on her and well choreographed. She ‘ s so game and never complains even if some of the poses were back breaking, I apologize for having you leap a few times. Teri Capuno Jinayon, the make-up artist, did a good job in making Kristine more beautiful.

I didn’t bring a camera during the workshop but Mike was so generous in lending me his expensive Nikon camera! Thanks Mike! :) We finished the photo shoot around 12:00 and a palatable lunch was served. I just love the “Kare-kare!“

After lunch the discussion on the workflow followed. I have had a very hard time dealing with my laptop. It wasn’t working! The Portable CS4 that I downloaded last night was such a mess! It took about 3 minutes to open CS4 in my laptop, such a waste of time! Apparently I have to uninstall the CS3 so that it will work just fine. I haven’t really use CS4 so i thought of preserving the CS3. Parang sumasabay sa malakas na ulan! When it rains, it really pours. It seems that all my stuffs were inundated and flushed out of the sewer! Mabuti na lang mababait ang mga tao sa paligid! Thanks sir Jon Carlos, for letting me used your laptop. I was able to follow the workflow, whew!

I guess one day is not enough to assimilate the discussion, I wish there were more exercises to work on. I am happy though because mam Maricris was very kind to give us useful files which we can use in our own creation. Maraming salamat po!

Again, thank you for this very interesting workshop. Thanks Ms. Maricris for your patience and for passing on your knowledge to us. Kudos to your team!

:)


Here's one of the photos I took and the application of the workshop today...a work in progress! :)

Janina Loise

Meet my niece, Janina Loise. She's just 10-day old, born last Jul4, 2010.

I went to see them, my brother Buboy, Janelma, sister-in-law, James, my nephew and the new addition to their family, Janina Loise, yesterday at their home in Pasig City. I had an enjoyable lunch with them. After our meal, I took picture of my niece while she's sleeping.


Taking photos of babies is challenging as you have to wait for that perfect moment to capture every move and smile that they can flash. You just need to be patient! :D

Please see more pics at this link: Janina's Album

Inaugural celebration of Pres.-elect Benigno Aquino III

Early today, I got a text message from my friend Mellany. She said she wanted to go to Quirino Grandstand and asked me if I wanted to go and take pictures. I asked her what time we'll meet as it was past 10am already in my watch. I thought that she wanted to see the inaguration which actually starts 12noon. Mel's plan was to actually go there and take post inaugural pictures, and so we'll meet around 3-4:00pm.

Since I'm meeting Mel past 3pm, I tuned in on TV and watched the inauguration of our new President, Benigno Aquino III. After the program, I took a bath and prepared my things when Mel texted that it looks like it's going to rain. She asked me if it's okay to cancel our plan, although it was sunny in Quezon City. Mel told me that she had an irritated eyes as well. So I said 'okay and no problem'. At least I can take a rest.

But later in the afternoon, I decided to check out the street party and inauguration celebration at the Quezon Memorial Circle since it was near our place. I went there past 5:00pm. The entrance was jam-packed as policemen were inspecting people coming in. Liquors were prohibited inside. At the entrance, a yellow sticker with inscription 'presidential security' was issued for those with camera before coming in. As the label implied, it's for security reason...

I didn't stay long in the area as it was already crowded. I'm prespiring all over, so after taking few shots of the event, I left already.

Please click this link to see other photos: Quezon Memorial Circle

Jenine Chelsea

My niece, Jenine,was featured at their school,FWC website.

Please follow this link and read on the story. Jenine

Nick Turpin

Nick Turpin shoots Portraits of thriller writers for Arena Mag from Nick Turpin on Vimeo.

No copyright infringement intended.

Leila's 1st Bday

My friend Jamie, referred me to her colleague, Lai, to cover the 1st bday of her daughter Leila Johanna P. Avellaneda, or ‘Leila’ for short. It was held last June 19,2010 at the Pacific Hill, Palo Alto, Calamba, Laguna. It’s far from my place but I said ‘yes’ to Lai that I’ll cover the photo shoot. Since she was referred by my friend Jamie, whom will also be attending the party as well, it was alright to accept it.

Jamie, Chi and I met at the Festival Mall where we rode a van going to Lai’s house. We waited about 20 minutes as the van had to fill in the seats. Jamie and Chi were from South and I’m the only one from the North.

It was very hot that afternoon and it rained but I enjoyed covering Leila’s bday. Lai and her hubby were really sweating out arranging stuffs and attending to their guests and relatives too making sure everyone enjoyed and comfy.

Happy birthday, Leila!

More photos are posted on this site: Leila

Not as We - Alanis Morissette

no copyright infringement intended...

I love Alanis! She sings from the heart and really is a wonderful artist.
The song was also featured in popular tv episode, House MD - (3rd ep. 4th Season)


Not as We
Alanis Morissette

Reborn and shivering
Spat out on new terrain

Unsure unconvincing
This faint and shakey hour

Day one day one start over again
Step one step one
I'm barely making sense for now
I'm faking it til I'm pseudo making it
From scratch begin again but this time I as I
And not as we

Gun shy and quivering
Timid without a hand

Feign brave with steel intent
little and hardly here

Day one day one start over again
Step one step one
I'm barely making sense for now
I'm faking it til I'm pseudo making it
From scratch begin again but this time I as I
And not as we

Eyes wet toward
Wide open frayed
If God's taking bets
I pray He wants to lose

Day one day one start over again
Step one step one
I'm barely making sense for now
I'm faking it til I'm pseudo making it
From scratch begin again but this time I as I
And not as we

Jaypee + Lindsay Nuptial

Jan29,2010
St James Church;
The Belleveu

"Gravity" by SARA BAREILLES

no copyright infringement intended...

"Gravity"
by SARA BAREILLES

Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.
No matter what I say or do I'll still feel you here 'til the moment I'm gone.

You hold me without touch.
You keep me without chains.
I never wanted anything so much than to drown in your love and not feel your rain.

[CHORUS:]
Set me free, leave me be. I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be.
But you're on to me and all over me.

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile.
When I thought that I was strong.
But you touch me for a little while and all my fragile strength is gone.

[CHORUS]

I live here on my knees as I try to make you see that you're everything I think I need here on the ground.
But you're neither friend nor foe though I can't seem to let you go.
The one thing that I still know is that you're keeping me down
You're on to me, on to me, and all over...
Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.

The Scientist Live Stripped Raw n Real) by Natasha Bedingfield

no copyright infringement intended...




Natasha Bedingfield-The Scientist(Live Stripped Raw n Real)

Originally sang by the Coldplay

Come up to meet you, Tell you I'm sorry, You don't know how lovely you are

I had to find you, Tell you I need you, Tell you I set you apart

Tell me your secrets, And ask me your questions, Aww let's go back to the start

Runnin' in circles, [sounds like] Comin' our tails, Heads on the science apart

Nobody said it was easy
It�s such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Aww take me back to the start

I was just guessin', At numbers and figures, Pullin' the puzzles apart

Questions of science, Science and progress, Do not speak as loud as my heart

Tell me you love me, Come back to haunt me, Oh when I rush to the start

Runnin' in circles, [sounds like] Chasin' our tails, Comin' back as we are

Nobody said it was easy
Aww It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm goin' back to the start

Ahhooooooooooooooooo
Ahhooooooooooooooooo
Ahhooooooooooooooooo
Ahhooooooooooooooooo

Bonding with relatives

Goodbye 2009!

I'm starting the year 2010 of bonding with my relatives and my brother and his family. Usually, the first day of the year is reunion for our family. We seldom see each other so I make it a point to invite them at our house and spend a day of bonding.

It made me realized that I'm getting old! I have cousins that i used to carry but looking at them now, they've grown fast!

We all had a great day. I hope to see them again next year!

Happy New Year and may we all have a peaceful and bountiful year!

Cheers!

Mazato and Len Prenup Photo Shoot

Rico requested me to handle the prenuptial photo shoot of Mazato and Len two weeks ago. I've handled prenup shoots before but this was the first time that I'll be doing it for Rico. Because of earlier commitment he had to assign this shoot to me.

I've asked my friend,John(a.k.a One),who's also a photographer(I met him at Kelby's photowalk) to join and assist me in this shoot.

The couple had arrived in our meeting place,La Mesa Eco Park, earlier than the set time which was 2pm. Mazato and Len were already married in Japan and they would want to have a ceremony also here in Manila. Len,the bride, was a bit displeased because the place was crowded (it was Rizal's day,non-working holiday). She's also complaining of mosquito bites. Mazato, the groom, was sweating all over but never complains and looks so calm. I emphatized with them, Japan has winter and here we have the opposite plus humid. Well, the place definitely had something to offer, we just need to be patient.

Len and Mazato were accompanied by Kathy, Len's sister, and their driver. Archie (fondly called asMama Archie),make-up artist was also there. I would say Mama Archie did a good job in making Len more beautiful. The make-up looks natural on Len's face.

Len suggested to have the photoshoot in another location, Tagaytay. Since it was already past 2pm, it wouldn't be advisable to move to another location because we're not sure of the traffic situation in South. It would already be late if we'll reach Tagaytay. So I explained to Len of the pros and cons of moving to another location. Plus we don't have vehicle service to transfer to another location. I was grateful that Len and Mazato agreed to stay and have the photo shoot at the La Mesa Ecopark.

It was quite a challenge because the place was teeming with patrons and guests. Finding the right spots to shoot was equally a challenge. Mazato is a Japanese and Len speaks well of their dialect so communication wasn't much of a challenge. Mazato speaks English but Len still need to translate in Japanese language.

It was fun doing the photo shoot with this couple. Building rapport is a must. Quick thinking,creativity and most of all a lot of patience are needed when you have limited time. Hope you like the photos.

See you both on your wedding day, January 8, 2010.

Symphony of Lights

I was able to catch the last night's free show of Symphony of Lights at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City. It's just walking distance from our office.

The show started last Nov20 and ended last night. It's a light and sound show of two talented artists, Voltaire de Jesus, renowned theater lighting director and multi-awarded sound designer Jethro Joaquin.

It was quite a challenge to take photos of the dancing lights. I brought a tripod with me which is a big help. I had also taken long exposure shots of buildings around the area. You don't always get to do this in Ayala as it's prohibited to just take photos unless you have permit.

Please click on this link to view other photos: Merry Christmas!!!

Portraiture, Lighting and Post Processing Technique Workshop by PARC CRUZ

I had the opportunity to attend yesterday’s workshop by Parc Cruz. This guy is brilliant. He is very creative and generous in sharing his knowledge. No wonder this guy is blessed with such talent. He uses natural, available or ambient light in most of his photographs.

I would rate myself a neophyte when it comes to post processing photos. I’m glad that I didn’t put off joining the workshop. A one-day workshop may not be enough but I learned a lot. One can learn all the techniques but without “concept” the picture will look like a snapshot.

Speacial thanks also to Mike Sabarre for his input and of course to our lovely model, Roseeh Cuntapay, thanks for posing.

And oh, the food “kare-kare”, pasta and grilled chicken, etc. panalo ang sarap! I gained extra pounds. Hehehe! =)

I’ll definitely recommend this workshop to my friends. I hope i can join again in their other workshops.

Again, thanks to both of you for patiently and generously imparting your knowledge. More power! Mabuhay kayo!

PS.
I’m trying hard to put what i’ve learned into practice. =) Here is my share. Please click on this link: ROSE

Animé Overload Festival

I sent text message to my friend Mel two days ago. I asked her to see the Animé Overload Festival at the SM Convetion Center at Mall of Asia. I'm not really a fan of animé or cosplay and I guess neither Mel too. The first cosplay that I attended last September was in SM Megatrade Hall. A friend invited me to take photos. I kinda like it because of the colorful outfits that really look nice in the photos. So this time I tagged along Mel to experience the same. This is Mel's first time to see cosplay.

The girl in the picture is Lain. I met her in Cosplay Mania a couple of months ago at SM Megatrade Hall. She cosplayed Baiken of Guilty Gear. This time she's portraying Nyuu/Lucy from Elfen Lied. To see more of Lain as Nyu please click this link : Nyuu.

I've also posted other cosplayer pictures. Please follow this link: Animé Overload

Related link: Cosplay

Angela

My friend, Mes, invited me at their house in Paranaque to do practice photo shoot. Early this morning I dropped by at the Meralco gym then later I went to Hidalgo and bought umbrellas for my strobes. It was already past 4pm when I arrived at Mes' house.

After a few chat, Mes called her niece and introduced to me. Her niece's name is Angela. Mes hurriedly requested Angela to take a bath and get ready for a photo shoot. =)

Later that night, Mes' friends Cali joined us. One (aka John was able to join the photoshoot although he was already tipsy as he had drinking spree earlier that day with his friends. It was a good thing that One had decided to meet us at Mes' house, I had company on my way home. And Thots too was there, but One and I had already left when he got at Mes' house.

Mes' idea of the photo shoot was all about angel, very fitting for Angela. =)