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.