Pinoy Affection

NATATANGING LARAWANG PINOY CONTEST #19 - Pinoy Affection
WINNER: jeridaking



Here is a short interview about jeridaking.

1.Who are you? Please give a brief background information on yourself.
I’m Ralph Matres. 31 years old.
I live in Ormoc City in the island called Leyte
Its located in the Eastern part of Visayas. I am married with two children. Their pictures are all over my stream.

2. Tell us about the winning photo. What made you shoot the pic? What adjustments did you make on it? What do you think makes it special?
The gentleman in the photo is actually my brother. It’s part of the prenuptial session we had a week before his wedding. I used manual mode F4.5, 1/80 ISO 100. I think the “moment”, the contrast of colors and the lined up trees made this special. I also consider the whole shoot a special one. Most of the shots I liked were taken during the “magic hour”, you know just before the sun totally sets. Ahhh I remember the lighting was just perfect. By the way you can view the complete prenup set here ralphtours.multiply.com/photos/album/48/Pre_Nup_JR_and_Johannah

3. How long have you been doing photography?
Two years

4. How did you start doing photography? What got you interested in it?
I’ve always enjoyed looking at landscapes. I wanted to shoot the countryside. And when I found out that a dslr was finally within reach, I borrowed money from my mother and bought one. Until now I still own the same dslr and I still haven’t paid my mother. =)

5. Do you earn a living from photography or you do use photography as your hobby/part-time job?
Photography is a hobby, although my friends and I sometimes shoot weddings.

6. What’s your day job?
I’m actually in a transition stage right now, between being employed and self employed. From being a 15/30 guy to a God knows when guy. =)

7. Do you have special education? Did you take courses or go to a school learn photography?
No I don’t have any nor do I plan to attend classes or seminars.

8. Are you specializing in a particular area of photography? What are your favorite places/objects to shoot?
I love portraits. I love the rural life. I love to shoot farmers and fishermen.

9. Who are your big photographic influences?
I don’t seem to have any. But the works of many many people in flickr absolutely inspire me.

10. How do you educate yourself? Do you read special literature, visit photography galleries? What photo books/magazines do you have on your bookshelf?
I don’t subscribe to any of the magazines nor do I have photography books. They’re too expensive.
I’ll give you five words though…..The internet is a goldmine.

11. What equipment and software do you use (camera(s), lenses, film, etc.)?
My camera is a canon 350d, I have a 17-85is and 50mm 1.8.
I use CS2 for editing and I’ve just started using lightroom.

12. What is your opinion on post-processing, especially enhancing pictures?
I’m all for it. But I’m not going to get into a discussion because you can never be right or wrong with this topic. Its like a Nikon vs Canon thing……

13. What advice would you give someone who is interested in photography and wants to improve their photography skills?
I shouldn’t be giving any advice. I have lots to learn myself.

14. What’s the most challenging aspect of photography for you? What’s the best part of it?
There’s really nothing challenging when all you are doing is having fun….Shooting landscapes, portraits and anything else with my friends, it’s really about having a good time. The challenging aspect would be going home late to an angry wife.

The best part of photography is that I get to be featured in this blog. Now how cool is that?

Philippine Churches

NATATANGING LARAWANG PINOY CONTEST NO. 18 - Philippine Churches
Winner: Anggebarcelona



1. Tell us about yourself: (Full name, location, occupation, other hobbies etc. Pls. include the camera/len (s) you are using)

Angela Nina Francisco Barcelona of Alabang, Muntinlupa City working as; Recruitment Assistant. Hobbies are: Photography and sports. My camera is a Nikon D40 18-55mm and 55-200mm non vr lens

2. What type of photography interest you most? (Macro, portrait, b&w, panoramic, sports, etc)

As of now, anything interests me. I'm still exploring photography.

3. Tell us about the winning picture, how did you take it? (Pls. include the photo)

I was with my family during our usual bisita Iglesia. We went to the cities in Rizal. My winning entry was taken at Morong, Rizal. I just thought looking up the bell tower and took the picture. I wasn't really composing my photo. It was just accidental.



4. How did you get started with photography? Are you self taught?

I loved photography ever since. I liked it better than videos. I read a lot of books, magazines, and searched in the Internet. My mentor was my colleague who taught me everything about photography.

5. Do you have any other interesting photo(s) you wish to show us? Maybe photos that made in Explore? (Pls. include the photo)

I only have one photo that made in Explore. Here it is:



Edited by: Anggebarcelona
Interviewer: "Fishin" Rod

Philippine Flowers

NATATANGING LARAWANG PINOY CONTEST #17: Philippine Flowers
Winner: Denbote



Here is the interview of Denbote

1.Who are you? Please give a brief background information on yourself. My name is Denis Bautista, 31. I am a Civil Engineer by profession and I've been working as an OFW over the last couple of years.

2. Is photography a full-time job or is it a hobby? still a hobby but I have an utmost dream of becoming a professional photographer in the near future.

3. What got you interested in photography? Nothing in particular but what got me going was after i bought my very first digital camera, the people around me as well as online pips praised my work.

4. What keeps you interested in photography? My dream of becoming a professional photographer.

5. Did you enroll in a photography course? Yes, I took Basic and Advanced Photography Workshops at the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation where I basically won my first contests.

6. How do you keep your photographic skills/knowledge up-to-date? I keep on shooting, spending more time shooting that post-processing. I read books, watch online tutorials and the like.

7. Any particular book or website that you would recommend? I subscribe to Digital Photographer and I-Mag magazines, they are great sources of valuable tips on composition and CS3 techniques.

8. Tell us about your most important/unforgettable experience in learning photography. When I enrolled are FPPF's Basic Photography Workshop I challenged myself to be the best in the class, I told myself that if I am going to have a future in Photography I must top the class, and fortunately I did. My two photos won 1st (still-life) and 2nd place(portrait). The trophies I won are the most valuable possessions I have right now.

9. Tell us about your equipment and preferred photo software. What made you choose these above the others? I use Nikon D80, Nikkor and Sigma lenses and a speedlight. I chose Nikon over Canon thru friends recommendation and online discussions and reviews. Plus Nikkor lenses are much cheaper than Canon lenses and they dn't make much of a difference quality wise.

10. What is your thought on post processing photos? I think PP is a great help for photographers, I use PP software and I would recommend the use of them. But I know that nothing can replace a good composition, PP can only do so much.

11. What style or area of photography do you prefer and why? I love nature and street photography. Nature photography is all about patience with some luck. Street Photography is challenging.

12. What is the story behind your winning photo? What made you choose that particular photo from your photo set to be your contest entry? Taken in our garden, I was on the 2nd floor of our Kubo outside our house when I took the shot to attain the angle I wanted for the photo. For me this my favorite flower photo because of the nice composition and perfect exposure of the shot.

13. What advice would you give to would-be and beginner
photographers? Keep on shooting, practice makes perfect. And if you can attend at least Basic Photography seminar, go for it.

14. How do you see yourself in this art 5 years from now? Owner of a photography studio.

15. What can you say about "Published photos with No Consent?" It's a crime and the culprit must be punished.

16. Complete this sentence, and feel free to add a few sentences more: I love photography because as a person who always works away from my family, it's my cure for homesickness. Through photography I can share my experiences abroad to my family and friends. I love photography because it is a tool for spreading good information.

Pagmamahalang Pinoy

NATATANGING LARAWANG PINOY CONTEST #16: Pagmamahalang Pinoy
Winner: Birdman@22

For the third time, Birdman22 a.k.a. Bobby Kintanar won the challenge! Here is his winning photo, entitled Grandpa and Child

Tiny creatures of our Islands

NATATANGING LARAWANG PINOY CONTEST #15: Tiny creatures of our Islands
WINNER: Alj_manila



Here is the interview of Alj_manila:

1. Please share some background information about yourself.

I am Ariel Jimenez, in my 40s, a CPA by profession, grew up in Makati and currently residing at Mandaluyong City.


2. Who or what initially sparked your interest in Photography?

It was my father who introduced photography to me when I was in high school. He let me use his Minolta film SLR then. After high school I got busy with other interests and hobbies and photography took a backseat. Early this year, I saw photos taken by a friend using a digital SLR and I found them very nice. It rekindled my interest in photography.
And so the story goes.

3. What inspired you to capture this winning photo?

It was my first trip to Hardin ng Rosas and I wanted to take some bird photos. I soon realized that my 250mm is quite short for bird photography. As I was walking down the field I saw a lot of butterflies and dragonflies. I took notice of this particular dragonfly who was like in a headstand position on top of a flower. I took a lot of shots and concluded my trip happy.

4. Did you have any professional training in photography?

I took Jo Avila's basic photography workshop.

5. How do you keep your photographic skills/knowledge up-to-date?

I read books, read online tutorials and watch online video tutorials among others. But for me the best fun way to keep my knowledge up-to-date is to hang out with fellow photography enthusiasts and learn from each other.

6. What is the most memorable experience you have in photography?

It was in those high school days when my father used to take time and teach me photography.

7. What's in your bag of tricks? Camera equipment and post processing software(s)?

Cannon 40d, 55mm, 28-135mm, 55-250mm. I use Photoshop CS3 for post-processing.

8. Please give us your take on post processing photos. Are you for it or against it?

I find post processed photos amazing. I admire those who know much about PP. I also know of some photographers who are against and don't do any PP on their photos.
I'd say I'm somewhere in the middle. I am for PP only to enhance and bring out the beauty of a shot. I am not for major alterations of a photo.

9. What type of photography is most interesting to you and why?

Presently I like sports/action photography best because I like the thrill of being able to capture the action at it's precise moment. I also find landscape and macro photography interesting.

10. What is the best advice you could give to a novice photographer?

Have FUN.


**********
Thanks to Roe Empleo for the interview!