On Walking
and allowing yourself to (sort of) get lost in a city.
(In order)
An appreciation for shadows, light, architecture, efficient public transportation (and Tretorn Nylites), delicious satay & long walks at night.
That basically sums up why I loved living in Singapore before. Oh, but do add Lasalle, the arts, the parties & the people I met.
In between shoots and meeting up with friends, I walked around the city. Most of it was familiar but there was something pleasant about it. Like opening your memory box or browsing through your albums in Multiply. I was being reminded of a good time in my life where I took care of myself, went back to studying and lived without having to worry about what people might think. It was great while it lasted but I’m happy and grateful as to where I am now. Appreciating the past and moving on to now.
To cap it off, here’s a song I got to listen to during the plane ride home. (Never underestimate the Shuffle function of your iPod!)
10 Things I Know to be True
…or something like it in photography
Last month, I did a talk on photography alongside Joseph Pascual for the UP Photographers’ Society in UP Los Banos. It was the first time I had to talk about photography in general and it as a career. There were only a few things I was sure of for this talk and that’s
- I’m not much of talker. So, what more for an audience, right?
- My attention span (most of the time) only lasts for around 20-30 minutes. I’m going to keep this short and sweet. And real.
- So, uhm, where do we start?
With that said, I took inspiration from Sarah Kay’s TED Talk. During her talk, she said to make a list of 10 Things You Know to be True. It could be about anything but the only rule was to not think too hard. So, that’s exactly what I did. I’ve read so many articles, stories before in the past and most of them were filled with false hope, too much inspiration not much truth. And that’s what I didn’t want to do for this talk. Trust me, I could’ve gone all inspirational but I preferred not to. My only thought was, “Hey bud, I’ll give you truth now so you know what you’re in for!”
Here we go: (jsyk, I was so friggin’ nervous standing in front of that audience. Cracking voice? Check. Sweaty palms? Check.)
1. YOU WIN SOME, YOU LOSE SOME
I mean, you can’t have everything. You’ll lose a few shoots here and there but gain a some in return, too. It’s also knowing which ones to take and which ones to let go of. Didn’t get a shoot that you really wanted? Don’t worry, it gets better. Just wait a little.
2. IT’S OKAY TO RISK/EXPERIMENT
If you keep on doing the same thing (lighting, technique, post-processing, etc) then you’re probably stuck in a rut. It’s okay to try out new lighting, a different angle etc. You were given a peg but you think this lighting could be better, then why not do it? Give it a shot! If it doesn’t work, scrap and try something else. Try not to get stuck on repeat. Just like if a song is on repeat, you get sick of it, right?
3. THE RULE OF THIRDS, LOVE IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART
Ily, rule of thirds. I’m sorry if I cheat on you sometimes.
4. LEARNING NEVER STOPS
You have the internet to thank for this. Okay, you know how to handle your camera but there’s so much more it can do. Read the manual. Google functions you don’t understand and maximize that thing. The internet probably has everything you need, from trying to understand the lighting that you want to “WTF is this error 99 on my camera?”
5. Please refer to image above. (Can’t believe I put this here!)
It’s true. Don’t deny it. Engaging with your subject was probably one of the most important things I had to learn and still learning to this day. No one wants an empty-feeling photo, right?
6. OWNING YOUR OWN STUDIO IS NO PIECE OF CAKE
This is where everything gets real. It’s a great feeling to have your own studio, really. But, I’ll be honest here. After construction was done and after I was done being such a sap ’cause I finally had my own space, it hit me. I have a space to maintain. I have a business to run. I have to make money to pay for rent. Sure, I love what I do but this time I had to really earn from it, make a real REAL living out of it. #grownupproblems
7. KNOW YOUR LIGHT. IF YOU CAN’T FIND IT THEN MAKE IT YOURSELF.
Two things: natural light and strobes. That is all.
8. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE THAT WE SHOULD ALL PRACTICE
One thing I’ve been telling myself for the past couple of years: “It’ll come. Just hold on.” And, true enough, every thing has been looking up as each day, month, year passes. All in due time.
9. COME TO A SHOOT PREPARED. DON’T LEAVE IT ALL TO “CREATIVITY”
Study the concept given to you or at least read it through and through. Check your gear. And, remember to check if you brought your memory cards with you and your batteries. (Hehe. Yeah, been there.)
10. KURT VONNEGUT WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID, “GOD DAMN IT, YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIND”
Be as professional as you can be when working. Courtesy, gratitude, kindness. I can’t explain how much I value this. But, really, kindness goes a long way.
Of course, during the actual talk I may have drifted but I found my way back to shore and clicked on next slide.
That’s it.
Short, sweet (maybe) & real.
Thanks again, UP Photographers’ Society for having us!
(P.S. Joe and I were in uniform. Crisp white shirt, well-fit jeans. Note: we did not talk about it)
December Lovin’
Editorial for Candy Magazine
The Topman Ph team for Garage Magazine
James and Phil Younghusband for Metro Magazine’s Metro Man special
Photographs published this month.
What a lovely start to the last month of the year!
Summer in November with Rayban
and Young Star Phils, of course.
A few behind the scenes shots from the Young Star Phils and Rayban PH collabo. This one’s filed under, Fave Shoots of ’11.
Also, something that’s quite fitting for that afternoon we shot this:
Textures, Light
Test: Gerard Cancio
First few photos are outtakes from a shoot I recently did for Young Star Phils’ photography issue. Dapper guy, Gerard Cancio, styled himself and skated around the studio for the shoot. Super fun, of course!
Chromeo – When The Night Falls (Mayer Hawthorne Cover)
Yes, put that on repeat.
(To Be Continued)
Fragments of To Be Continued.
See you all tomorrow (11.10.11) 6PM at Plaza San Luis, Intramuros, Manila.
City Life
From drinking on stormy nights to concerts on top of buildings. Life so far.
Also, this song, is for driving home from a really great night and just when the sun is about to rise.
Cheers, folks! Hope y’all are feeling dandy and nice. It’s almost Christmas!
Test: Nathan
Nathan Lane
Lykke Li, Wounded Rhymes
She’s even better live.
My good friend, Nante, wrote about the show for Young Star Phils and used some of these photos for the story. Read it! (Nan’s article pretty much sums up how I felt during the gig, too. One of the best shows I’ve caught.)
