Near a body of Water

NATATANGING LARAWANG PINOY CONTEST #14: Subjects Must be in or near a body of Water

For this contest, we have declared 2 winners: Sue323 and MalNino

Golden Ember by MalNino


View from the String by Sue323


Here is a short interview about Sue323:

1. Please share some background information about yourself.
I am a nurse by profession. I've been living here in Finland for almost 3 years. I started taking digital images in the spring of 2007 using a Canon PowerShot A540

2. Who or what initially sparked your interest in Photography?
In the late 90s' I took loads of sunset photos using a small film camera. Being able to capture something so beautiful just felt great.I never had the time to learn anything about photography then, I thought that it's quite time-consuming and an expensive hobby.

3. What inspired you to capture this winning photo? Please give a brief description about it.
It was taken during my vacation. We were in Boracay, the weather was great. I wanted to take a macro shot of the string of the bikini that I was wearing then, because I like its colour (fushia) I figured that it would be nice if the background would be the clear blue water. So I held the camera behind the knot of my bikini and took a few shots.My husband said that I looked like I was taking photos of my butt. And I said: Nah, it's just the string.

4. Did you have any professional training in photography?
No.

5. How do you keep your photographic skills/knowledge up-to-date?
I take photos almost everyday. I read blogs of professional photographers.

6. What is the most memorable experience you have in photography?
It was last summer (July 2007) my best friend came from London and we took photos like crazy. She told me to press the tulip button on my camera if I want to take close up pics.. we also stalked bees together.

7. What’s in your bag of tricks? Camera equipment and post processing software(s)?
I don't have much. I've been using a Canon Powershot A710 IS since last year. I have Photoshop 6.0 which I only use to adjust some levels like brighness, contrast.. sometimes colour levels.. I don't know much about it, really.. it looks too complicated for me. I also use Neat Image sometimes.

8. Please give us your take on post processing photos. Are you for it or against it? How much of it do you do on your own images?
I am not against it. I admire those who are well versed in that aspect. Since I lack that skill, I can't apply much of it to my photos.

9. What type of photography is most intresting to you and why?
Macrophotography. Insect macrophotography to be specific. It's very challenging.

10. What is the best advice you could give to a novice photographer?
I am a novice myself. I think if one wants to improve, it's important to practice, challenge yourself, listen & get used to criticism. Elbert Hubbard, an American editor once said “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” Who wants to be nothing, anyhow?

....
Thanks to Filam61 for the interview!

Guitars

Photographer: Bobby Kintanar
Winner: Natatanging Larawang Pinoy Contest - Week 13 : Color-filled

Once again, Bobby bagged the 13th Natatatanging LP contest. Congratulations, Bobby!

Pico de Loro, Cavite

Photographer: Diyeson
Winner: Natatanging Larawang Pinoy Contest - Week 12 : Philippine Landscapes



Here is a short interview about Diyeson:

1.Please give us a brief background information about yourself.

I’m 35, a graphic designer. I started taking pictures when I was in 4th grade, at 22 I processed my first roll of film and printed the three frames that survived that disaster of a first try. My first digital camera was a pocket book (imagine Bourne Identity that bid) size Fujifilm camera a dizzying 1.3megapixel ( this was several years before S1). I am from Laguna.

2.Is photography a full-time job or is it a hobby? and how long have you been in photography?

Yes, it is full time but more of a volunteer work than a job; it is also my hobby for more than 20 years.

3.What inspired you to capture this winning photo? Please give a brief description about it.

The street Children: It was taken in Baclaran, when I saw them I ask a stranger why did she let them sleep there, it is 12:00 noon. The vendor told me they are not her children and they were sitting there since morning. The shock I felt probably made me do it.

The landscape: I never thought I’ll ever see something like this in Cavite; it took my breath away.

4.Did you have any professional training in photography?
I attend Photoworld almost regularly.

5.How do you keep your photographic skills/knowledge up-to-date?
A lot of practice of course and the internet.

6.What is the most memorable experience you have in photography?
I was eleven; my uncle gave me a Canon with 50mm lens, that simple gesture of kindness started it all.

7.What are your gadgets and what software are you using to post process your works?
D300, 70-200VR, 17-55mm and of course 55mm nikor micro manual Ai (favorite). Photoshop since version 4.

8.What is your thought on post processing photos?
The digital darkroom simply put. Part of the art. Developing picture digitally. Very cool.

9.In which category of photography are you most interested and why?
Landscape: I love hiking and mountain climbing.
Photojourn: I like to tell stories
Macro: It’s a different world entirely

10.What will be the best advice you would give to a beginner / amateurs photographers?
Always bring a camera. It doesn’t matter if it’s a compact just bring one

Gandang Pilipina

Photographer: Antonio Genovia
Winner: Natatanging Larawang Pinoy Contest - Week 11 :Gandang Pilipina

Please give us a brief background information about yourself.

My name is Antonio Genovia, a resident of Morgan Hill, Ca. A business owner, and I am currently working in Century Helicopters. Grow up here in the states, I finished my schooling in the Philippines in the medical field of Physical Therapy.

Is photography a full-time job or is it a hobby? and how long have you been in photography?

I bought my first SLR (Canon Rebel Xti) as a gift to my fiance for Christmas. A later, I paid someone to take a picture of my car, I did not like how the picture was composed and treated, so on Nov. 8. 2007 I went out and took a picture of my car.

I have been selling my photos, I market myself. My first sold photo, was a shot that I took of Corey Ness motorcycle the son of Arlen Ness, I got paid $30.00. I knew then that this "Flickr" thing works to my advantage, and I am starting to believe that I might have a talent in photography.

What inspired you to capture this winning photo? Please give a brief description about it.

My first taste of strobe, with my friends. Lightstalker, and Kudaker. I was so frustrated during this shot, because I did not know what I was doing. I chose to enter this photo, because it had the elements of a Filipina. I treated it with selective colors to bring out her face, so the viewers are drawn to the face, specially to the eyes.

Did you have any professional training in photography? How do you keep your photographic skills/knowledge up-to-date?

The only professional training that I have is in Century Helicopter Products, were I work. We have a studio and my manager influenced me into photography, and has been a fruit of technology, like "You tube."

I record all of the treatments, I like to experiment. I can spend a day experimenting new treatments, and I subscribe to Photoshop magazine.

What is the most memorable experience you have in photography?

My memorable experience in photography is when someone told me that I do not know how to take pictures, I lack the know how, my treatments where not that good. That has been my memorable negative experience. My positive memorable experience are all posted in my stream.

What are your gadgets and what software are you using to post process your works? What is your thought on post processing photos?

I use Lightroom, CS3, Photomatix, and Noise Ninja.

Post Processing is done to convey a story for it brings out dramatic colors. Recently I had date with a known wedding photographer, he gave me a lot of good insights. "Natural treatment makes money in the world of photography, but you still have to reserve your skills in post processing, for advertising purposes"

In which category of photography are you most interested and why?

I like street photography, and street fashion photography. I like this field in photography, because to some it is not easy to talk to strangers, or to talk to a pretty woman that might be walking on the street. I like to capture life in its true essence.

What will be the best advice you would give to a beginner / amateurs photographers?

My advice to those that just started in photography.
1) Have fun.
2) Have lots of it.
We become who we are, when we exert a little extra effort.

Manila Bay

Photographer: Bert Barandino
Winner: Natatanging Larawang Pinoy Contest - Week 10 : Sa Bayan Ko Lang 'To!




Please give us a brief background information about yourself.

I am Bert Barandino, I’m 28 now. I’m an Architect by profession currently working here in Jeddah, KSA for almost 3 years now. I just got married last December, it was my vacation and just got back here last February.

Is photography a full-time job or is it a hobby? and how long have you been in photography?

Just a hobby. Actually nakahiligan ko ang graphic designs, since matuto ako ng photoshop marami na akong gustong i-explore. Sandamakmak ang tutorial na dinadownload ko para basahin. By God’s grace, natuto naman ako. A year and a half ago, nagbalak akong bumili ng digicam (Sony-Cybershot W50) dahil kasi nagpaplano na kami ng akyat sa Mt. Pulag noon pag-uwi ko, yun yung una kong bakasyon simula ng dumating ako dito. Parang natuwa ako sa resulta ng mga kuha ko kaya lalo pa kong na-inspire na kumuha ng ideya kung paano ko pa mapapaganda yung mga kuha ko.

What inspired you to capture this winning photo?

There is no secret ingredient, just like what Po’s father said (Kung Fu Panda). There is no inspiration actually, I was just roaming around in Manila Bay with my camera after I dropped by in our wedding venue. I am not that yet active in Flickr at that time to think about that it will get a lot comments or it will be viewed by a lot of people, for some I guess they think that way. I just wanted to share and treasure it, that’s all.

Did you have any professional training in photography?

Nothing. I just read some tips and learn from it. Just like what they said watch and educate yourself.

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

I do not know about updating. I just don’t have yet my signature capture. What I like is, I want to have my own style/techinique or own trademark though it is not that simple to achieve.

What is the most memorable experience you have in photography?

Winning in this Natatanging Larawan Contest is already a memorable experience to me.

What is your thought on post processing photos?

Post-processing is a very good tool for enhancing photos specially to those who have made their names known. Besides, I think nobody can live without post-processing their photos where everything is digital nowadays.

In which category of photography are you most interested and why?

Digital photography, landscapes, seascapes, portraits and animal.

What will be the best advice you would give to a beginner / amateurs photographers?

Do what you think that gives you happiness and contentment in every snap of your shutter. You don’t have to please anybody with your photos rather than yourself first and everything else will follows.