Tuesday, February 28, 2012

On-The-Spot



I Don't Do Flukes




- Stairwell -
[available light - NO fill-in flash]
Rizal Memorial


What might seem to be a nice, "lucky" "snapshot" is actually a well crafted photo.  Remember the other definition of LUCK --> "When preparation meets opportunity" ?? Am sure you've heard that one time or another.  Well, let me slowly lead you to my point - - -


In my recent photography lectures in Ateneo I've stressed the need to cultivate "creative habits".  Now, We all brush our teeth sev X daily  and bath at least once a day - right ?  Those are "hygienic habits".  By "creative habits" [at least in the context of photography] I mean simple exercises - which can help one visualize - imagine [if you may], images in one's mind - after all, that is where the creative process begins, course, with the help of ones eyes.

On a day to day basis, making the extra effort to observe one's sorroundings, as a whole, while at the same time looking four "visual cues", or rather, interesting details and elements singularly AND combined - can train one to notice things that others wouldn't even notice.  Then, and only then can one begin truly visualize ->imagine and/or conceive or even play with<- pictures in one's mind. Then, with constant visualization AND actual interpretation through photography or oil, water color or whatever medium - one can hone this skill.
Well, at least that's how it has worked [and still works] for me.  Others might have a different approach that works best - Great ! By all means keep on doing it.

So, on any given on -the-spot situation/scenario it easier [faster] for me to compose images in my mind way before I press the shutter release.  Even with my stolen shots, they are imagined and composed before the "theft".

In whatever type of photography - Sports photog', food photog', wedding photog', advertising photog' [here, ads can take weeks, even months to implement - It's the same process, [slower] and a lot more deliberate because of huge amounts of money are involved]  - Where does the creative process all start ??  From some dude's visualization -> in his mind.

Now, let me get back to the photo above -

After a recent UAAP softball match at the Rizal Stadium, I bumped into Thomasians JB Ballesteros and Isai Martinez at the lobby [amidst a crowd].  Noticing the light on the stairwell I knew I could create an interesting picture.  So I asked both guys and they obliged.  [Of course the laid back demeanor of JB and Isai mattered] Had them sit casually with the sunlight backlighting them and the stairwell, composed the image, did my manual settings, waited for the stairwell to clear - then clicked.  Simple photo, yes.  Tecnically Competent - Yes. Artistically Competent - Yes.  Blogworthy - Yes.

How else could I have shot JB and Isai more creatively at that moment ?? It don't matter now [I just did my best as far as that scenario was concerned] - What really matters is the next possible opportunity to create images in my mind and challenge my creativity.
BTW - Notice the top edge of the image is perfectly parallel to the top step of the stairs - That's not accidental. -  [Attention to light/details/elements AND crafty use of them bro].  So, As I said - try  to develope creative habits - constantly train your eye to see what others don't notice - Compose images in your mind - as a matter of habit.

Imagine, Imagine, Imagine - Compose, Compose, Compose - Eventually, if you're persistent enough - it'll pay off.  And if that's not enough - "that" meaning photographing what you see  - you might also start to learn to photograph what you feelAnd that, my friend - is REAL photography.  


 And B4 I bounce - here's another recent on-the-spot "snap",
this time, of my friends from Ateneo -

   Aimee Dacanay / Hannah Jo Uy / Arlet Coronado / Anne Malicdem


- Lunch On The Carpet -


brosi gonzales

Monday, February 27, 2012

Mga Pares




The Power Of Two
[Pairs]


The thing with thematic postings is that it gives me an opportunity to pick photos [taken w a film SLR] from my film archives and mix and match them with recent digital images [taken w a digital SLR]. The  thematic images need not be the best ones.  As long as the collective theme is expressed in a most interesting matter, I think it's all good.

Here, the theme is "pairs", as in non-digital and/or digital images, with only 2 subjects - are mixed and matched. BTW,  if the photo is non-digital, as in, it is a JPEG from a scanned analogue print from a film negative film - it'll be indicated --> "Film" - if not it is understood that the image is digital.

At the very least, this post showcases, once more, my photographic roots ---> Available Light Portraiture. Notice that there are a few digital photos of athletes, but there is not a single action shot to be seen.  One will easily notice a couple of reposts [images that have already been used in previous posts] here and there.  Nothing wrong with that as long as the image is within the post's context. And as much as I love and try to excel in sports photography - I have loved portraiture longer - and I still love doing it.

Lottsa memorable moments captured here. I have enjoyed photographing every single one of them, wether they were taken 15 years or 15 days ago.  [I read in book, sometime ago, that moments, no matter how enjoyable they might be [good times?]  - after they have passed - one has to let them go - and not try to relive them - because that's just what they are - moments - so one can have room for more.

Well, whatever.  For now, let me say - Thank God for flatbed scanners.
 - So now, let the images speak for themselves -


 - Sel G and my pal Rafi S -
Cuneta Astrodome


Film
- Siblings Carlo and Jay Cruz -
South Bay Gardens

 Film
- Barredo Sisters -
[I forget their names] 
San Juan

 Film
- Bernardino Brothers -
[I forget their names] 
Bulacan


Film
- My friend Auty V and his neice Misha V -
Magallanes


Film
 - Siblings [from Denmark]
[I forget their names]
San Lo

 - Father and Daughter - Eric and Abigail Altamirano -
Love the Attitude! 
Coach Eric !! - Please bring Abigail again next season to the UAAP games - OK?
Smart Araneta - 



 - Siblings Cammy and Cassy Tioseco -
Southville Campus

Film
- Elmo and Inigo -
South Bay Gardens


 Film
- Siblings Alex and Sam Godinez -
Ayala Alabang


 Film
- Flying Tiger and Toni L - 
Manila Polo Club

 - Japeth A and Arwind S -
Cuneta Astrodome

 - Frank M and Rick O -
Ateneo Campus

 - Gabe V and Ram N -
[A rare instance where I used flash]
MOA

Film
 - Siblings Nace and Vanessa Gonzales -
Bulacan


- Bulldogs Al-Ashri Ignacio and Joseph Terso -
- Smart Araneta -



 Film
- Laurel Brothers - Jay and Matt - 
San Lo


 - Lady Tamaraws Mara Krista and Loreta L -
Ateneo Campus


 - Balikbayan visitors and baseball fans - Solid Couple Leah and Jesus -
Jesus played for UP decades ago.
Rizal Stadium


 - Father and Son - Calvin James A and Calvin A -
Arena


Film
- My friends Cindy and Billy -
San Juan

 - Tigers Jeric F and Jeric T -
Smart Araneta


Film
- Mother and Daughter - Cammy and Celeste S [right] -
Ateneo Campus

 - Toni O and Kiko D -
Rizal Stadium

 - Twins Camille and Cienne Cruz -
Arena

 - The Dolor Twins -
South Bay Gardens

 - Twins Liam and Ali So-
This is an outdoor photo.  I dropped out the background using U-Lead
[a photo app] to create this graphic image.
South Bay Gardens

- Ninang and Inaanak - Sel A and Andrew G -
Andrew is the son of my bud, and neighbor, Alvin Garcia.
South Bay Gardens


 - Former Lady Maroons [softball team] Sangalang and Flores -
Rikki F [right] is a good friend of mine.
Rizal Stadium


- Lady Archers Tasha A and Pia B -
Ateneo Campus


 - Jessica  M and Sel G -
Smart Araneta

- Lilo and an Adamson fan -
Smart Araneta


Film
 - Remulla Kids -
[forget their names]
Bel-Air

 - Liz R and Garvo L -
Arena

 - Former Letran Knights RJ A and Rey G -
Smart Araneta


 - Father and Daughter - Robbie and Raoul Recto -
This placed 3rd in a UAAP Photo Contest [on-line category].
UP Campus

 Film
The Romero Sisters 
[damn! - forget her name and Cassandra {Right}]
White on White - Love It !
Valle Verde


Film
 - BFFs Misha V and Trina T -
Dasma


Film
 - BFFs Trina T and Misha V - [a few years later]
This is a hand colored Black & White print.
Magallanes


 - Mother and Daughter - Rain and Anna Antonio -
Cuneta Astrodome


- Former Blue Eagles Rich A and Enrico V -
Smart Araneta


Film
- Sisters Bianca and Paola Zobel -
Ayala Alabang


- Xavier S and Alyssa V -
Arena



Film
- Siblings Jake and Natalie Zobel -


Film
- Siblings Paola and Jake Zobel -


Film
- Siblings Bianca and Jake Zobel -


 Film
- Toni L and Flying Tiger -



 -FEU trainer and [bloodied] Rusell E -
Smart Araneta


Film
- Siblings Nace and Vanessa Gonzales -


Film
- Yes, the Power of Two -
This is my Favorite Portrait of my parents, Oscar and Lydia.
[albeit taken years ago, in Bulacan]
Obviously, if not for them, you wouldn't be reading this post.



brosi gonzales