Akari Batt Boy Print Ad

My first Akari Batt Boy (ABB) print ad. Let's patronize and support Philippine-made products as we are able. Happy Holidays, folks! (Art Director: Fando Culata, Photography: Ador Pamintuan, Producers: Brian Lee/FPPF/Akari)

Billboard Ad Shoot With Speedlights

Question: Can you shoot a billboard just using Nikon Speedlights? Answer: yes you can! This billboard is now showing at the EDSA Shangri-la Mall facing the EDSA highway. Happy 15th beer-day CCA!

GEARTALK: Nikon V1

The new Nikon V1 & J1 was released yesterday in SM North Mall (Annex, 4th floor, Nikon Concept Boutique). I like the V1 with it's built-in electronic viewfinder: no need to buy it separately. A new hotshoe is there for external flash, so it makes me wonder how can a strobist play with it with multiple Speedlights off camera. It's not too small or too big in size, so handling it is a pleasure. It has the greatest auto focus tracking to boot! I can't wait on the new lens adapter accessory to come out as it'll auto focus any AF-S Nikon lenses I already have. It's a great backup camera for any Nikon photographer bent on saving precious weight. Many thanks to Columbia Digital Star for the product launch invitation! Wish I could play with it more...
Happy Holidays to our last 2011 batch of strobist lighting participants in the FPPF! May you show the world on how to light properly. Stay tuned for our 2012 schedule, folks.
Merry Christmas to my wacky FPPF colleagues!

Camerageek TV Webpage Photo & Design

After completing one season, our Camerageek TV (CGTV) show is now on indefinite hiatus as we recollect on what we have done and where do we want to go from here-as we settle accounts with the TV network channel NET 25. Meanwhile I'd like to reflect on our old URL design that our director Dan Pamintuan maintains. BTW Dan is also a photographer credited for shooting Paolo Solarz and Yours truly in the Masthead design. I shot the lovely Meg and Kate. For compositing the images I used Abobe Photoshop CS5 and for layout: Corel X3. All print materials were done using just these 2 programs. Of course Nikon gears were used for the photography. Thanks to the CGTV team, director Dan Pamintuan and NET 25 for making our dream TV show possible! Just visit our site here to replay those happy episodes. Cheers!

CCA Website Photography

As a freelance artist, sometimes you and your clients are perpetually busy as bees with one project after another that we all fail to notice and appreciate the completed artworks (hard work) that we all have done. I stumbled upon the Center for Culinary Arts' blog here that has my old photograph as the main visual in the banner of the site for sometime now. There are more print advertising materials I shot for CCA and will post them as soon as they email me my copy for my portfolio. For photography production I always use Nikon gears FYI.

Reminder: Year-end Photography Workshops

Year 2011 is closing to make way for the new year again! Please remind anyone interested that my Strobist Lighting Workshop will be held on Dec. 17-18. And the world's only International Cruise Ship Photography Workshop on Dec. 13-15. For more info please hit the jump here. Kudos to my great workshop organizer: the FPPF, and many thanks to my participants who attended! May your photography enrich your lives forevermore.

Mass Photography Wedding In Makati City

Did a mass wedding coverage as main photog along with director Shierds Pamintuan, Jun, Joel and Jeff at the Magallanes Church in Makati city. The noble organizer Piandre wanted it to look like a personalized wedding for each couple, so you can imagine how we had to capture each and every cord & veil, wedding ring, kiss, etcetera...phew! Thank God for the team!

Last November 2011 Strobist Workshop

This is one of those workshop group that some of the noble participants had more impressive strobist gears than yours truly. Kudos Batch 14! May you show the world on how to light properly.

Celebrating 25 Years Of Sharing Happiness

Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines celebrates 25 years of sharing happines at the ground floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati city. Their multi-media entitled: The Happiness Project, exhibit runs Nov. 17-20, 2011 in partnership with the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts (SDA). Kudos to Coca-Cola, Chairperson Leo Santos and SDA students! Coca-Cola Foundation began a partnership with TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) in 2005. As an awards-giving program, TAYO’s main objective is to seek, recognize, reward and encourage youth organizations all over the country with programs and projects that help their communities. Here are a few contributary photos of mine of some of the noble winners of this year's TAYO award. Congratulations folks-may you never tire in doing good!

Strobist Lighting Workshop Going South

Vista de Lente Events and Lifestyle Photography presents: Joe Galian Strobist Lighting Workshop in Zamboanga city on November 12-13, 2011. Call 926-2288 or 955-2288 for details and reservation (limited slots). Mil gracias to Vista de Lente team for organizing this event. See ya'll in Zamboanga city! (Photos/posterdesign: Joe Galian)

Happy 18th Beer-day FPPF!

Three cheers to the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc. (FPPF)! Read more about it here. Muchas gracias FPPF for being very compassionate and helpful to new talents like yours truly, and to many more to come! May the sun never set on your glory forever, and may your golden age endure to many generations of artists. Kudos to Ms. Edi Huang for her leadership-there is none like you, ma'am!

Manila Bulletin Newspaper Article Discovered


Sailing Through the Lens
By Joseph Galian
December 29, 2009

What’s the easiest and fastest way to work abroad, earn dollars, meet many people, and visit exotic places around the world at the same time? Be a professional cruise ship photographer!

Working away from our country as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has been a traditional way where Filipinos seek “greener pastures” to improve their lot in life. The international cruise ship industry can be an alternative plan for any Filipino intending to earn dollars without “breaking the bank” while preparing themselves with the necessary education, maritime training, medical checkups, among others. Not everyone has the luxury of time and economic endurance to prepare for some in-demand jobs abroad like in field of nursing, dentistry, education, and electronics. After all, the cruise industry is here to stay and it continues to grow as more ships are being constructed. As long as people cruise, there will always be the need for workers to man these floating hotels. Photographers are amongst these privileged seamen.

Who Can Apply

If you are within the age bracket of 21-33 years old, you are qualified to apply provided that you are fit and healthy, love people and have the passion for photography, and you possess an extroverted personality. There is a minimum height requirement and you need to consult your local recruiter. With these rules, it can be said that exceptions can be made if the applicant can impress any headhunter.

Nostalgic and sentimental candidates don’t stand a chance being hired as a seaman – photographer with work contracts spanning six to nine months of hard work with (typically) no day-offs. In a way, this is not for everybody; it’s up to you to find out if you’re considered to be one. After your contract, you will be given by your employer a 30-day (more or less) vacation till you are notified of your next cruise ship destination.

How To Apply

The first step to be a cruise ship photographer is to hook up with a legitimate recruiter in good standing with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) by checking the POEA’s website. Prestigious recruiters (like www.magsaysaycareers.com) can refer you to the greatest photo concessionaires like The Image Group, or to impressive ships with in-house photo departments like Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, to name a few.

Your recruiter will ask you to enroll in their five-day Basic Safety Course (BSC) program to train you to save lives at sea in case of emergencies. This investment will cost up to Php 10,000. You cannot get your seaman’s book from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) without your BSC certification. Your seaman’s book will be attached to your passport in tandem. Get a you travel passport beforehand plus NBI clearance, authenticated transcript of records, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), letter of employments, resume, workshop certificates for starters.

As a prospective ship photographer, you must compile at least 24 impressive photographs of people’s portraits – as individuals or in groups. Your portfolio must be 8” x 10” in size in a black album to look professional. Owning your own camera gives your recruiter the right impression. Be prepared for a basic photography written exam covering camera parts to fill-flash. There will be a paid and scheduled test (worth around Php 1,000) covering I.Q. test, personality test and high school arithmetic, fractions, problem solving, English comprehension and vocabulary.

If you have all these documents submitted and tests completed to your agency (recruiter), then you can hope to leave the country in less than six months. Just wait for your turn to be interviewed via teleconferencing or an actual visit by the official recruitment officer abroad. The interview can be as simple as question-and-answer forum or can involve practical demonstration with role playing.

Where To Get Cruise Ship Photo Training

Starting January, the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) will offer a three-day International Cruise Ship Photography Workshop for any Filipino who intends to work abroad as a professional ship photographer. Yours truly will conduct the said workshop with hands-on, role-playing photography exercises. The purpose of this unique workshop is to increase your chances of being hired as a professional ship photog.

For inquiries about the next ship photo workshop, please call the FPPF at telephone no.: 524-7576 and look for Karen, e-mail at fotoatwork@gmail.com, or visit http://photoworldmanila.com/workshops/cruise-ship-photography.

GREARTALK: Alternative Umbrella Support #2

Having a 7 foot umbrella mounted onto a lightstand using a traditional umbrella flash backet still finds me cringing at the sight of the slim umbrella stem curving (slightly) downward. Having posted here before using a two meter mini-boom arm as umbrella support (only, no flash on it) still requires the Speedlight mounted in a separate flash bracket mounted on top of the lightstand: with this old setup, the boom arm rides on the top-most lightstand segment (inset photo, lower right). Thinking minimalist, I've been able to to with just a Bogen reflector arm holder (top photo). Attached at the end of the Bogen is the generic Bowen's mount Speedlight "T" bracket with a SB-900 flash mounted-as counter-weight. The two small clamps of the reflector holder fastens the umbrella's stem at both ends via friction. My new setup #2 with the Bogen arm uses less gear, but do take note that the lightstand will cast a shadow onto the umbrella fabric, so rotating the T-bracket in the 9/3'oclock position should minimize this effect(not shown). After successfully testing this setup for stability, I had a small "eureka" moment there, but ey, lemme know if you guys out there have your own umbrella "stem-friendly" setups of your own.

Operation Restoration: Helping Alvin Granada

It's time to reach out and be inconvenienced: associate photographer Mr. Alvin Granada needs our help: he recently figured in a freak accident wherein a taxi hit him. Alvin is now awaiting surgery for his leg fracture and he needs financial assistance and our prayers for progressive healing. For those able and willing to aid Alvin, here is his cellphone no.: 0927-256-79-33 and his wife Roselyn's 0919-814-66-61; and may our Father God of photography bless you mightily in return!

Press Release: Camerageek TV

The Newest TV Show on Photography: Camerageek TV!
by Joe Galian

Do you want to learn more about photography? Want to see on TV professional, famous photographers being featured? How about hobbyists or upcoming talents? Gadget reviews and photo updates, anyone?

Then watch Camerageek TV! This new show is like a photography magazine on television. Shown on channel NET 25 Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) every Saturday night, 8:30 PM; with replays every Sunday at 2:00 PM. And if you want to watch it online at your convenience, here is the link for you information: http://www.camerageektv.com/episodes.html.

TV hosts Paolo Soler and the lovely Meg Siozon are both crazy for photography. Nikon Pro's endorser, yours truly, manages the photo tutorials and gear review segments while the sister act of Michelle and Karen Bautista make sure that the production runs smoothly. Kudos to Camerageek TV producer and director Shierdan Pamintuan for making this dream of ours finally come true after 2 years in the making!

Camerageek TV's advocacy is photography education for all Filipinos, hence, is produced by DSHEP (Doing Scholarship Health Education Programs) Foundation, Incorporated. For inquiries please email at: camerageektv@gmail.com.

Celebrating 1 Year of Strobist Lighting Workshop

It's time to thank the unsung heroes that have made this FPPF's newest workshop a success:

Pablo Beltran-FPPF Project Director for believing in yours truly and the vote of confidence. Thank you, sir, for being kind to new talent.

Brian Lee-FPPF Project Manager for producing this monthly workshop by "hook or by crook"! A veritable strobist himself, Brian makes this workshop viable.

Ricky Ladia-for recommending to the FPPF a two day workshop ('twas just 1 day workshop for the 1st batch). Thanks much, bro!

Strobist Model: Ms. Nicole, thanks for quietly bearing with participants and giving them stunning poses. Salamat!

You-the participants who subscribed to our workshop! Thank you for spreading the luv of lighting and photography.

Kudos Team FPPF! And congratulations to the lovely Batch 13's Michelle Morelos (3rd photo, from top) for winning the OTS strobist photo contest! Cheers y'all!