SEA Games in Cebu

For the paste few days I have been taking time to take photos of the Southeast Asian Games held in Cebu. This is an opportunity for me to explore sports photography, let me tell you right now that it's not easy as it looks.

I have posted some pictures at my flickr website.

Kada-Uwan is done!

Finally, the final cut of my short film Kada-Uwan is done. It will be shown on the next SALIDA event, as well as Jurly's Sila.

Jurly, Den-den and I were talking last night about making a new short film. I cannot discuss the details as they are still sketchy and have to be finalized.

Some Thoughts On Photography....

Having been behind the digital lens for a couple of months now, I have learned a couple of things. Some of which I will now impart to you, my friends.

1. It is always the photographer, not the camera.
So many times have I been impressed by photographs taken by point and shoot cameras, also known as P&S. Theories and priniciples never change, whether you use the top of the line DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) or an old P&S. What really matters is how you apply these principles and how well you work with your camera.

2. Great food, what pan did you use?
I'm stealing this line from my buddy, Dennis.
When we eat, do we ask our host "Great food, what pan did you use?" or do we enjoy the taste of the food?

This is the same with looking at pictures. Whenever non-photographers look at pictures, you never hear them ask what equipment was used or what setting the camera was at the time. They simply enjoy the picture. Photographers however are different, almost obsessed to knowing the settings, the lens and camera that was used to take a good picture, we tend to lose the essence of enjoying the work of others. This is also the reason why some photographs on the web come with exif data or camera settings.

Why do photographers do this? It is in the hope to use the same camera setting in case we shoot the same subject. Ironically, however, no matter how much photographers try to imitate another photographer's work, there will ALWAYS be a difference. Which is why I have chosen to no longer to include exif data in any of my pictures.

3. Bring Everything, Shoot Anything.
Something I learned from another photographer, Ted Madamba. When you have everything you can shoot anything. Though recently I revised this thinking, because after all, you wouldn't want to be carrying 2 or so Kilos would you?

Through practice you learn the equipment you need for certain shots. You find out that you don't need your macro lens for fashion or events shoots or your zoom lens for macro shot and landscape shots. Leaving a lens or two will eventually help out your carrying load and your bag as well.

This Is Not My Day.

I have a fund raising concert to host and shoot tomorrow, a photo exhibit to prepare for, a business to take care of and a garage sale to plan. And here I am, sick.

Last night I felt my throat swell up as we were having dinner meeting at Kahayag Cafe to finalize everything for the fund raising concert. It didn't take long for my nose to start dripping and my voice to start changing. Damn it, I said to myself. Of all the darn days to get sick, my body picked one of the busiest days.

Fund Raising Concert

A month ago four members of iStorya.net were struck down by an unknown assailant armed with a car. The driver never looked back and left the victims for dead. Fortunately, good samaritans brought them to the hospital at 2am.

Three were released a day after with minor scratches and bruises, while Rowena Villamor was critical. She had to under go two major head operations and spending two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit.

As soon as members of Cebu's biggest online community heard about the incident, everyone express their willingness to help but didn't know how and where to course it. The administrators and moderator's thought that the best way was through having a benefit concert.

On Nov. 12, 2005, 7pm at Kahayag Cafe iStorya.net will hold a fund raising concert for the benefit of these victims. The following artists will perform:

Hotpress and the Glue Spreaders
Andy Calope
Waterproof
Ang Bagong Tribu
Hash Browns
2nA & eGG
Manny Amador
SawSaw
Missing Filemon

Tickets are pegged at 50 pesos and will be available at the gate.

Photo Exhibit

My friends and I are holding a photo exhibit at Chowabunga at Cebu's IT Park, Lahug on Nov. 19, 2005.

All of us are amateur photographers who have taken time to notice the beauty of Cebu's nature, people and culture.

To view some of my works please visit my flicker photoblog.

Kada-Uwan: Final Audio Mix

Ok friends, my short film "Kada Uwan" is on it's final stage and is due to be out within the month. Kada Uwan will make its debut on SALIDA slated this December at Handuraw Cafe.