portraiture.. my first take

Jared called up this morning, asking me if I can join them for an indoor portrait shooting at their flat. I wanted to decline due to prior commitment, but judging from the tone of his voice, I could feel that this will be an interesting photo session. So I agreed but promised to stay for few minutes only.

Well, that is exactly what happened. I arrived at their place, at Sunny's Ville, meet the models and took pictures. I admit, the girls were pretty and ehem... sexy, I even had second thoughts of leaving immediately. But... a big but... I have my family waiting for me at the Suntec whom of I promise for date. Tsk, tsk, tsk. No choice, I made roughly 85 shots taken for a period of 20 minutes, then left the place.

I was late, as expected, and Pinky was already turning blue when I arrived at Suntec. Believe me, I have to be extra "good" just to cool down her head. I also turned my phone into silent mode, alam mo na, baka tumawag ang models. Iwas gulo lang.

Evening. I was very excited to go home to download the pictures I took this afternoon. But to my dismay, I could not find the CF card - I lost it! Anak ng tinapa!!! pag malasin nga naman.

Huh!

Sunrise at Changi

It was not a well prepared outing, I admit, but gee... the attendance was just fantastic.

What was I talking? Hmm.. the first big outdoor outing of the Photonski group. Photonksi is the "unofficial" pinoy photographer group who are based in Singapore. I joined this group last March after upgrading to Digital SLR. I particularly like this group because the people are okay, helpful, and kalog. Just try joining their yahoogroup thread, surely you'll be spammed with all the kakulitan of the member. But, believe me they are all good people with good heart and great photography skills - me not yet at that level. And today, we went to Changi Beach to practice shooting for sunrise. Our expected attendance was only 10 to 15 people but lo! there were 28 photographers who showed up.

Okay the attendance was great.. but know what? our VIP didn't showed up. Hehehe... we had a cloudy sunrise. Nahiya si haring araw, hindi sumipot. Nevertheless, we had a great day.

Here's the photonski group who attend at Changi Sunrise shooting.

My family is here

I am excited.  Not just excited but extremely sky-ted.  That overwhelming feeling of excitement that is reaching limits of the sky.  Why? I'll be seeing my family after over year now.  What makes it more interested is the idea of seeing my daughter.  Gee, I wonder how does she looks like?  Me or her mom?

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I woke up very early today. I spend the entire morning cleaning the house and more importantly, I did a meticulous "cleaning" of all leftovers that my girls has left behind.   I checked my closet and throw away all  ladies clothes, got rid of all female toiletries, napkins, panties, then I checked the sala to dispose of all female reading materials and any materials that my link to any of my girls.   Mind you, I had been doing this routine since last week in anticipation for the arrival of my family.  Today was just a final sweep of whatever I have missed.

Around lunch time, I went to Sing Song and bought groceries and lots of household items. I also cooked Sinigang na Tyan ng Baboy (Pig Belly Sour Soup) and Adobo.  Food must be ready when they arrive.

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3pm @ the Changi International Airport.   I was restless I as I scanned impatiently the incoming passengers from the arrival area.   It's not yet time, I  know but, I was just edgy. 

As the time nears, the excitement was turning into a creepy feeling of anxiety. I didn't understand why but something in my third sense told me that trouble is brewing at the horizon. I fought back by trying to brush it away. I thought, this might just be my fears haunting me that my wife will eventually discover how naughty I am here in Singapore.  I have to act normal and lie to the teeth if necessary.

                   *                     *                    *                    * 

I easily saw Pinky from the distance.   I tried to wave my hands to get her attention but she didn't saw me. She stopped on one corner and bend down towards a baby girl.   I guess, she was combing my daughter hair to ensure that Jasmine would look at her best for our first meeting.  

Few minutes later, my two girls showed up at the arrivals door.   I gave my wife a big hug and a kiss and then take a look a wondering little girl Jasmine. She was actually staring at me sharply and was trying to push me away from her mommy.   I just smile and say hello.   My daughters first reaction was to move away and hid behind her mother.   We stayed for a while at the arrival lounge.  Pinky put Jasmine on top of their luggage and allow her to continue staring at me.  I took a photo of my daughter who didn't smile a bit.  

I just smile with amusement and happiness upon seeing my daughter for a long time.  The last time I saw her was over a year ago when she was barely three months.  I was happy that she is now a big girl and looks like her dad.

On our way home, I tried to touch Jasmine foot but she would readily withdraw it away from me.  When I was looking, she would try to touch me... to may amazement.  I guess, my daughter was excited and interested to know who is this big man.  

something is wrong inside of me

I made a visit to my cardio doctor today, my third visit this year.

I may not have written about it but last January, I rushed to the hospital to verify what's wrong with me. There was a searing pain running across my chest and I could not breath normally. Though the pain went away after the doctor sedate me - they drugged me!, and finding no anomaly with my heart after a series of test, I was not confident that I was A-Ok.

Something is wrong with me, I can feel it, only that I don't know what it is. The doctors are not sure either, but they had put me into medication for six month and I am currently in the middle of it.

I just hope and pray, after six months, that the doctors will finally declare that my heart is perfectly healthy.

Fashion Vibes @ Bugis

I thought, Fashion Festival was only until the first week of April, but I was wrong - Bugis did the last show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Again, our plan to go to the zoo was postponed. Hah! I was hoping pa naman that I would have a reunion with my brothers in the zoo. Pero sabi nga ng photo buddy ko... ladies first, monkeys next!

I arrived at Bugis at around 3pm. The place was already full pack with photographers both professionals and amateurs (like me) and most of these faces are familiar. I saw at least half of them at the Marina and Suntec while the others at the Raffles. Browning was there, and the old man - Joshua was also there. We exchange pleasantries and tried to squeeze in the crowded place. Jared arrived few minutes later.

The show was okay, just ordinary and it didn't thrilled me. Why? I've seen similar show before and the models... ayah!... they use the same set of models from the Marina show. As usual, our two favorite Pinoys Vince and Marjay were there and the other Ang Mo models. They have introduced a new face, though - a latina named Jennifer. Oi, you might ask how we know her name, do you? Of course... we talk to the models after the show and MarJay introduced us to her. I even got a picture with Jennifer. hehehehe

Overall the show was okay, nothing special but not boring... just an average. (Marjay might be reading this blog, naku! am dead).

Anyway... for the last time, I'm posting the pix of Vince and two Ang Mo models

and Jennifer.

new assignment

I just had a talk with my boss today and I believe the decision was set... i'll be assigned to Japan. Aba! magiging "Japayuki" ako?


I've been to Japan few years ago, assigned to work there for a Telecoms project and I didn't find it exciting both at work and leisure. One major problem in Japan is the language barrier. I has always been difficult to move around since English is not widely used. You either have to learn Nihonggo or just stay in the apartment. Last time, I opted staying at home. Maybe this time around, I'll take my camera and just stroll around. Hmm... it's cherry blossom time in Japan. I think that would be a nice subject to shoot.


But... personally I have my apprehensions of accepting the assignment. My relatives from the US and Canada are planning to visit me here on May, and more importantly my girl Jasmine is coming too.


Tsk, tsk, tsk.. how can I say no to my boss?

Darn... tax?

Busy, no time, overtime... yep, I can always think of thousand reasons but the reality is, I am lazy when it comes to filing of income tax. It's been long overdue, I know, come to think my income statement arrived last February and yet, I haven't even had a form to file for my taxes. When was the last time I paid income taxes? Hmm.. I guess six years ago at Philcom and then no more - we don't have taxes in the Middle East, by the way.


The thought paying again shivers me. Yay! And I haven't subscribe to withholding tax, meaning I have to pay in full this year. Well as the old saying goes.. "two things are certain in this world - death and taxes", I might as well go to the Inland Revenue House and do what is necessary.


To my surprise, filing taxes in this country is not that hard. All I did was queue for about 5 minutes, present my Green Card to the reception officer and then after 2 minutes, the lady returned and presented me my new IRAS Pin. She gave a smile and instructed me to file my tax on-line using my IRAS pin to logon. There several available kiosk around and depending on one's literacy with computers, I bet, anyone can finish e-filing in less than 5 minutes - which I did. All in all, I completed the transaction in less than 20 minutes. Very efficient, don't you think?


I wonder when can we achieve this level of efficiency in the Philippines... just dreaming, though.

iBlues @ Paragon

After that horrible experience with the security officers last night, I gave up the idea of shooting today at the Paragon. My photo buddy Jared suggested a trip to the Zoo and... I agreed! Taking pictures of monkeys and gorillas would be nice, right? Hehehe... after taking pictures of beautiful ladies at the catwalk, I guess its time to practice shooting with "real" faces of animals (like me).

All set for the trip to the zoo, I met my buddy at the City Hall. But at the last minute, he suggested to take a peek at the Paragon. Just try, we agreed, anyway if there's no way for us to shoot then we'll leave. And to our surprise we were allowed to get inside to take photos! Iba talaga ang pinoy! How we did it? We just made tsika tsika with the lady named Ester at the entrance counter, then with added smile and pa cute we were given the nod! (We even get some drinks!)

The 2pm show was okay. They had the same set of models from last night except for An Kadesh and two other models. Mar-J, the beautiful Pinay was there, the black girl, the Catherine Zeta look-a-like, Kyzinia from Kyrgystan, the rest of the models we saw at the Marina. I didn't take many picture - I was afraid that I might run out of battery for the 5pm show (I forgot to bring extra, argghh!). I did focused more on composition shots rather than panning shots. The result, by the way, was less reject and more better pixs.

While waiting for the second show at 5pm, we got a free lecture and tips from an expert! Browning, the 22-yr veteran, is still using a film camera and 10-yr old lenses but when he explained to us the technicalities of how to compose good picture... boy! we were simply amazed. He emphasizes that it's not the L lenses that makes good picture but the composition and knowledge of the subject you are shooting. He also added that it is important to know your gear! Now on fashion photography he said: appreciate the designs sof the subject - dress or jewelry and (not the models. Knowing that, it would be good to take long shot (wide angle) before the model walk, then whole body shot while walking, three-fourth shots while walking, three-fourth shots on the pose, half body close up, at least one back shot (to get the other side of the dress), and if possible... a cross shot (one model coming in and another going back). He just smile when on some occassions, he saw some amateurs taking close up face shots using long lenses. There's no point of having portrait shots of the models because the essense is to show the dress, he added. Browning, called it "truck shots" (derived from those portrait displayed on traditional chinese burials). Ohhh! Am guilty!

Indeed, the technique works. See one sample of Mar-J below.

And after the show? Ambush!!! and we were able to get close up shots with Mar-J, the black girl, and Kyzinia. See the photos in my main profile. Hehehe....

the other side...

Paparazzi... ever heard of the word, or better yet... met a real one? Well, today I just did!

My photo buddy had already informed me that the Fashion show at Paragon was for the "high-end" and by invitation only. What I didn't know was that only official photographers were allowed to take pictures. Meaning, the rest of us were just have to watch! And you think we'll gonna settle for that? Definitely not, of course.

I notice one of the "unofficial" photographers went to the second floor and hid behind the boom lights. Then another one went to the third floor and stayed in a coffee shop? Hmm... that was a good idea, wasn't it? So I went to the fourth floor and hid behind the planters and started shooting. But I guess, I choose a wrong spot. The place was simply too far that even with 300mm lens, I couldn't get any close up shots. All I got were "wide angle" and to make it worse, my subject's faces were all "looking" downward.

Not satisfied with my early results, I moved to the second floor and took few pictures but when I saw a security office coming, I immediately shove my camera in my bag. I was safe! Whew, and continued shooting. Five minutes later, a man in plain clothes whispered on my ears.. "Sir, would you like me to assist you outside"? Huli! The officer was polite and did explained the situation very well. He then asked me to delete all my shots and... he wants to see it done. Gee! what can I do? I didn't want to get into trouble.

He allowed me though, to go back to watch the show, but... I have to go down to the ground level where all the rest of the guys were staying. They were all smiling, when I saw them. I learned that all of us had to "erase" our photos.

What was the show all about, by the way? Just a top caliber haute couture show, and see-through evening gown. Skin? Yeah... and lots of it. Sayang! I could not snap a picture even for just one of them.

Here's what I have recovered from those "deleted" photos. If I have to rate the technical aspect - mediocre. The artistic aspect - very poor.

Now, I know how hard it it is be a paparazzi. I'll NEVER be one of them - nada, ever!

More..?

I thought the Fashion Festival was over for I know that the official schedule was Mar 26-Apr 02. But I was surprise when my photo buddy text me up and inform me of a Fashion Show at the Paragon this coming Friday 7pm and Sat 2pm & 5pm. Hmm... why not? I got no schedule this Saturday and don't have a date this coming Friday either. Besides, my boss is going out of town hence I can go home early.

This will be another exciting weekend!

Bridgette..

(... continued from Sunday)

Tired, exhausted, hungry, thirsty (but enjoying)... we braced ourselves for just on more event - Suntec 7pm. We were no longer excited with the show as everyone had enough. Converging at the Suntec was just an alibi to see fellow photographers and "compare" shots. Hehehe.. pinoy talaga!

Franz and Nidz were there, then later Ralf arrived. There were also other non-pinoy photogs, also noisy like us, but we were the loudest and wackiest. What a shame!

Nathan, Jared, Bridgette, Melvin, Ralf

To wrap up the day, we managed to ambush Bridgette - the Pinay model at Parkway, and asked her to pose with us. She nice naman and didn't complain though we know she was on hurry to go (her friends were already waiting). Me?.. hehehe.. I had one photo with her, but don't ask me to post it here (It looks like Bentong with Assunta). Bridgette stands 6-foot-plus, or at least 6 inches taller than me.

Wah! Anyway, here's the group pix with Bridgette

And here's one pix that I got with the models after the show.

Island Shop @ Ngee Ang City

(... continued from Sunday)

Right after the 1pm show at the Suntec, I went back to Parkway Parade to meet my photo buddy Jared. Our original plan was to shoot at the raffles but opted to go to back to Parkway because the show at the raffles was for kids. I already had good shot at the Parkway last Saturday and had anticipated to see the same models, no challenge I should say, but nevertheless better than the other show.

Indeed, the models were the same and the line of clothes were... "ordinary". I didn't take much shot. I just made myself comfortable on one area and enjoy watching the beautiful ladies strut on the improvised runway. My buddy likewise, didn't waste much memory card and also enjoy watching. After the show, we immediately proceed to Ngee Ang - by cab of course, to save time.

Ngee Ang Fashion Show was far far better than all the shows in town in terms of preparation, the runway, the ambiance, and the kind of audience. It should be, being the primary shows of the whole celebration. What made it better was the balance stage lighting and just enough spot light to illuminate the models. More importantly, camera flash were not allowed!!!

Hah! The field was even!

With no flash, very dark background but adequate lighting on the exact areas, it was a big challenge for a newbie photographer like me to come up with an acceptable product. Good thing, I brought my monopod hence I can lower select lower aperture and speed without necessary blurring the image. At ISO 1600, my 20D was surprisingly clear - no visible noise even with moving subjects. Hmm... my camera is good!

Well... let's have some sample pics here...

oh by the way... I did not edit the picture except for resize and the watermark.

Fashion Fiesta @ Suntec City

(... continued from Sunday)

As promised, I'll be writing about the four Fashion shows we covered during our photo sessions last yesterday. As usual, I was with my photo buddy Jared and on the later part, Melvin joined.

Originally, our plan was only to attend the shows at Parkway @ 2pm and at Ngee Ang @ 4pm, but I got bored in the house so I decided to take a stroll to practice shooting with the city scape scenes. I left at the house at 11am and headed towards the Marina, with no fixed destination, just taking a walk and really... watching people - beautiful people. ;-) When I got hungry, I decided to go to Suntec thinking it was the best time to have Laksa. It has been quite a while since I last had a chow with my favorite lunch.

But when I passed by the Atrium Centre, I realized that there was an on going Fashion Show! "Whoa, this is great!", I exclaimed. With no minutes missed, I run towards the runway while changing lens on my camera - a very bad thing to do, to catch up with the just started show. To my surprise, the show was full of kids! Yeah, children! - the fashion show was intended kids and pregnant moms. Huh! interesting... I have never done picturial with kids before, and I thought, it was the best time to start and practice.

Indeed, I was amazed on how easy and fullfilling it was to take pictures with kids. I admit, I was smiling the whole time watching these children as they strut on the runway. Who wouldn't be? They were cute and funny. hehhehe... I can relate (i'm still a child at heart, you know?).

Okay, here's one good pix from the kids show:

and from the "preggy" mothers ... pretty mommy!!!

Last day...

Yeah, today is the last day of the fashion festival and as expected, all the participating malls and shopping centers put on their best show for the finale. And the consequence? Well, just over 10 fashion shows with almost simultaneous schedules at different locations.

This has given us a nightmare!

The solution, catch up every show posible and take a cab to move from one location to another. And true enough, I was able to maximize my schedule. I was able to catch four shows starting from Suntec City at 1pm, Parkway at 2:30pm, Ngee Ang at 4pm, and then back to Suntec at 7pm. What we didn't cath the show was at Raffles and... felt bad about it. Both me and my photo buddy, Jared, wanted to see our favorite model for the last time, but we simply run short of time.

Anyway, four shows to attend in one day was... I believe was already a very hectic schedule. Overall, the day was totally great. Good shots at Parkway, more close up and good shots with the Pinoy models and the Mongolian model at Suntec, and splendid shots at the Ngee Ang. I gained so much experience and skills - I could think I made a huge improvement.

But no pictures today... in my next blog, I will. For the meantime, let me take a rest and sleep.

Zzzzzhhh...

Liz Claiborne and Mex Spring/Summer 2006 @ Raffles City

We don't have to wait 'till the show was over. All we need was final shot for each of the models before they return back to the backstage. We then, run away! Oh, you wonder why are we running? Hehehe... two reasons: we were avoiding the lady warden - afraid that she might call the security guard for good, and because we were in hurry to catch the 4pm show at the Raffles.

We were particularly excited with the Raffles show knowing that it's the Liz Claiborne show. Of what we heard, there will be lot of skin (yay!) and the show will be great. Hmm, maybe, but I was holding my horses. *wink* The photonski guys were there! Nids, Franz, Raffy and etc.. (forgot their names). I learned that Glenn's team has just left after the 2pm show and now going to Parkway for the 5:30 show. They didn't go and opted to stay because they already had shots with the models. They even knew that two of the models in Parkway are Filipino. Okay enough for the introduction... let the show begin.

Wow!!! Splendid!!! Yeah, that was my first expression when the models started to show up in the runway. They were far more pretty and beautiful than the previous models that we covered. Wala sinabi yung taga Marina, and mas lalo ang taga Parkway. These girsl were really of top caliber. And would you believe, there was one model who looks like Christine Hermosa (she's Jared's favorite model) and one very pretty girl (oh my dream girl) who's had melted my heart away. You should heared the shutter of my camera when I take shots on those models. It was no longer click...click...click, but cl.cl.cl.cl.cli..cli..cli..clic...click! Meaning, burst shots of up to 5 frames per seconds. Count how many pictures have I taken when I press the trigger for 7 seconds? A whopping 35 pictures!!! Ubos ang memory card! But it was all worth it. I had taken over 900++ shots with over a hundred good results. For sure, I wouldn't post all those shots here. Wait till I bought a domain and a database of my photos, then you'll enjoy all those good shots. For the meantime, make the most of these samples.

Christine Hermosa look-alike

And the girl who took my heart away!