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! :)

Photowalk Manila

I signed up for this year's Scott Kelby's Second Annual Worldwide Photo Walk | Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk

For details please click this link: Worldwide Photowalk-Tondo

Here's the schedule posted by our Photo Walk leader: rjcarpio24

9-10 am : Meeting up at Chowking Tondo Church Branch
10 am : Walk start from Tondo Church going to Moriones Street to PNR/Tutuban.
12 nn : Walk Finish at Andres Bonifacio Shrine in front of Tutuban Center.

**** official walk ends here.

Those who would like to join Smokey Mountain Photo Walk can have their lunch and we will meet up again at 1:00 pm at the same area to transfer location.

1:00 - 1:30 pm : Meet up at Bonifacio Shrine
1:30 pm : Will take jeepney ride to Balut Tondo
2:00 pm : Assembly time at Rodriguez St. to get ready for the walk
4:00 - 4:30 pm : Conclusion of Tondo Photowalk

NOTE :
Route may change depending on situation on the said date.

Things to Bring:
- Umbrella / Foot Cover (just to be ready if it rains)
- Wear something comfortable. Do not wear jewelries and bring expensive items. Remember, our activity is a photo walk, not a party.
- Bring pocket allowance for lunch, transportation and other possible expense.
- Those who plans to bring cars, you may park at Tutuban Center Mall. If you plan to join Smokey Mountain walk, You may park it near my place (about 15-20mins walk to assembly point).


SEE YOU THERE!!!

Neutral Ground 1st Anniversay Exhibit

You are invited to the first anniversary photo exhibit of Neutral Ground.

Over 80 featured Filipino photographers from all over the world.
Over 200 featured photographs.
One of the biggest photography exhibitions ever!

Neutral Ground will be having its first anniversary exhibit running at the lobby of the Philamlife Center in UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila from July 21-31, 2009. The ribbon cutting and network’s grand-eyeball will be on July 24, 2009, Friday at 6:30 PM.

Sponsored by Canon Marketing Philippines, Aperture Trading, Jo Avila Photography Workshops, Philamlife Insurance Company, Manila Bulletin’s Picture Perfect, The Philippine Star, Cyrano Wine Selections, and Red Digital Studios, the exhibit features over two hundred of Neutral Ground’s best of the best photos accumulated within the year from its inception last July 2008.

The exhibit will also be for the benefit of ESL.Light for Life, a mission to save kids with cancer.

http://edwinloyola.multiply.com/photos/album741/Mission_Save_Kids_With_Cancers_._EdwinSLoyola

The people behind this project are the moderators namely, Nix Taytay, Edwin Loyola, Parc Cruz, Carlo B Carlos, Judith Cheng-Carlos, Jon Carlos & Lhor Santillan. Not to mention the volunteers who unselfishly gave their time and effort are Jon Aguirre and Mike Sabarre.


Featured Photographers:
Carlo Carlos, Judith Carlos, Edwin Loyola, Nikko Taytay, Lhor Santillan, Jon Carlos,
Parc Cruz, Mike Sabarre, Jon Aguirre, Maricris Carlos, Aaron Dulog, Antonio Endaya, Aristotle Aquino, Bill Lavarez, Bhong Bernal, Bobot Go, Bong Malong, Bryan Lee,
Cesar Besin, Chris Dapito, Cris Cleofas, Cyril Ponce, Dennis Bautista, Dennis Villafuerte, Ding Fuellos, Ed Melendres, Edwin Bejer, EJ Sabandal, Elsie Yang, Eric Cabahug,
Francis Nollan Damaso, Geo Esguerra, George Bermeo, Gilbert Aguila, Hector Jaraza,
Jay R Torres, Jennifer Galang Santos, Jeremy Villasis, Joanne Quirante Escober,
Joel Garcia, Jon Fabrigar, Jonavie Medrano, Jules Capucion, Jun Danganan, Juvy Torno, Keith Rosales, Kenji Punzalan, Lindy Barbosa, Lino Almuenda, Lito Ruga, Louie Reformado, Mark Owen, Michael Francis Naval, Michael Galligues, Mike Velasco,
PJ Enriquez, Robert Lagula, Romeo Angeles, Romy Olarte, Rosevie Sevilla, Sheyz Go, Steve Albano, TJ Caifur, Timothy Ignacio, Tom Falcon, Vic De Vera, Walter Lumberio, Wie Santos, Zab Coloma & Zandro Sardinia.

Special Thanks to:
Boboy Ringler, Bobot Go, Tom Balete, Romeo Angeles, Ding Fuellos, Michael Galligues, Dennis Villafuerte, Mike Sabarre, Jon Aguirre, Tom Falcon, TJ Cafuir, Bong Malong, Zab Coloma, Ian Earl Calalang, Steve Albano, Romy Olarte, Jon Carlos, Aie Dalistan, Jules Capucion, Chris Dapito, Jonavie Medrano, Lito Ruga, Cesar Besin, Dennis Basutista & Lino Almuenda

The Neutral Ground is an interactive photography network of over 1500 members and 50 camera club organizations from here and abroad with one common goal in enjoying photography without walls and boundaries.

NEUTRAL GROUND: Enjoying Photography without Walls and Boundaries
1st Anniversary Photo Exhibit and Grand Eyeball
For more info, visit us at http://photoworldcup.ning.com

DPP's 3rd Year Anniversary

Today is DPP's 3rd year anniversary. I just learned about it when I bought the Digital Photographer Philippines (DPP) magazine issue 26. There's an enclosed participant pass and so I grabbed that opportunity and attended their event held at the Fully Booked High Street.

The event started at 10am but I was able to go there past 12noon. Eri, my officemate also attended the event. I also met Nico,a freelance graphic artist/phorographer.

The activities during the day include free seminars conducted by well-known photographers in the industry like Jo Avila, Ben Chan, Ferdinand Decena,Nick Tuason, Pilar Tuason, Jay Tablante, Jay Jallorina, Bernie Ledesma, Raymund Isaac, Wesley Villarica, Harvey Chua and Nino Carandang.

From my estimate,the particants range between 600 to 800. The seminars were conducted in three(3) different locations inside Fully Booked, U-View(basement), Forum(4th floor) and Top Shelf (5th floor). Freebies were handed during registration. I got Nivea goodies while others,early registrants, were given Canon pack, not sure what's inside the pack.

I was able to attend two seminars, "Elegant Lighting for Fashion Photography" conducted by Jay Tablante,as shown in the photo below. The other seminar was, The Art of Landscape Photography" was with Jay Jallorina. Those photographers are still young and equally great. Their works and images show their expertise in their chosen style of photography. I wanted to attend the seminar conducted by Ms. Pilar Tuason, "A Guide to Child and Bridal Portraiture" unfortunately, there were limited seats. Incidentally, she was the featured photographer in this month's issue of DPP magazine. I love her bridal shots.

I didn't stay long. After the talk of Jay Jallorina I left already. The seminar was very inspiring and the speakers/photographers were all generous in sharing their thoughts and experiences.

Happy 3rd anniversary DPP!

Lester and Grace's Nuptial

Yesterday was Lester Matias and Grace Duron’s wedding. I was a back-up photographer to Rico at this wedding which was held at St. Pancratius Chapel in Paco Park, Manila. The team met 9:00am at Rico’s studio, Memory Lane in Katipunan. Rico discussed few notes on positioning of light and focal point of each one inside the church. The team was composed of Rico, the main photographer, myself as back-up photograpger, Mang Boy,the videographer, Wilsuan, the lightman and one utility/service guy. Wilsuan occasionally does backup photography to Rico.

After a few minutes, we proceeded to Diamond Hotel, where the couple checked in. We arrived there at 10:30am where we took pictures of preparation of the bride and groom and some other details. The bride’s room was quite full. The parents, some relatives, maid-of-honor, bride’s maids and flower girls were all there. The make-up artist, Archie (fondly called as Mama Archie) whom I met during the couples’ prenuptial shoot in Tagaytay, and his crew were also there busy putting make-ups on the entourage. We first took pictures of the bride’s preparation, the details and stuffs used during the marriage vows, bride’s gown and the bride’s maids. The groom and his entourage were on separate room. Rico took care of taking picture of the groom’s preparation.

It was 4pm when the rain started to pour. Grace was flustered earlier that her event coordinator hasn’t shown up yet. It was raining hard. The reception venue was a garden set-up. Grace managed to take her cool when she got a call from the coordinator who's according to her was already in the hotel's vicinity. At least there’s someone who will take care of the worrying for her. She’s almost done with her make-up. When she donned her wedding gown, there’s that beam in her face. I guess all brides wear that different glow, such an elegant aura.

The wedding was actually at 6pm and the reception was on the same place at Paco Park garden. It was a good thing that the rain stopped before we left the hotel. All went well that night.

Congratulations and best wishes to Lester and Grace!

Trying my hand on Photoshop

Im trying to learn photoshop and it's really intersting. My friend Alvin have taught me how to enhance an image with a soft skin. The process include filter,noise, median, vector mask and adjustment on opacity will give a nice result. For this particular photo I've used the soft skin effect and a combination of Lightroom.

I'll try to enhance images and share the workflow if time permits. Whatever I learned in photoshop, resources, links will try to document and share it with you.

Photo detail: Canon 400D, f/7.1 1/80sec, ISO-100 288mm

Photo of the day!

This photos was taken at Anawangin Zambales. Some of you may have probably seen it before.

I'm hsaring and posting again this photo which happen to be selected as photo of the day (Aug17,2008) in the Photoworld Cup Network. There are lots of good images posted each day in the site and it feels like winning a photo contest! This is such a different "high". I'm learning a lot in this site and i wish to capture images as good as theirs.


Photo detail: Camera: Canon 400D, f/7.1 1/80sec, ISO-100, 28mm

FPPF Grand Reunion

Here's an upcoming event that I would definitely attend.
As emailed by Ka Lito of FPPF:

WHAT: FPPF Grand Reunion (everyone who joined the FPPF workshops since 1993, including all members of camera clubs, delegates of pw manila and pw asia 2008, photo summit)

WHEN: October 27, 2007 (Saturday)

Come and enjoy the event commemorating the 20th year of the FPPF.

Morning:
registration starts 7:30 a.m. at the Fort Santiago chamber
Fee is 150 to cover snacks
Shooting of models starts at 9 am - 11 a.m.
Lecture on lighting fundamentals by Allan Razo 2:00 pm.-4:00 p.m.
Venue: Arch Leandro Locsin auditorium at the NCCA, intramuros, manila

Evening:
Gala concert of the Philippine Madrigal Singers
8 p.m. cultural center of the Philippines

Tickets available at 5247576 and look for Karen

See you there!
-kalito