The Legendary Nikon F2

It always blows me away when I hold my classic Nikon F2 film SLR coupled with the rare Nikon DA-1 Action Finder. Colleagues tell me that the viewfinder is on steroids heh heh heh! I’m tempted to use this tank on my cousins wedding-coming soon. Because of it’s hefty weight I carry only my ultra-wide and macro lens with it. Everything about this Nikon F2 is purely manual and opto-mechanical.

Sir Jorge Strong at 70 Years Young

The honorable and charismatic Jorge Banal of the Makati Distric celebrated his 70th birthday with family and friends in high places at the posh Makati Polo Club. Gilbert Obispo was my 2nd photog and Shierdan Pamintuan did the video. A true public servant all his life, Mr. Banal vigorously refuses to be called a "traditional politician” (or "tra-po" in the vernacular-meaning "dirty rag" literally). What a great man indeed and his many works show it!

The 2nd Philippine Starball Competition

Thank you Carlo Villongco for the job as one of your dance photographer for the 2009 Philippine Starball held at the posh Makati Shangri-la Hotel in Makati city. Great dancers from around the world graced the floor! What a night to remember again. Watch the delayed telecast on March 8 on ABS-CBN channel 2 at 10PM.

UP Fine Arts Week 2009

Many thanks to Mr. Joey Tanedo (in beige shirt) of the UP College of Fine Arts (CFA) for inviting me again to do a demonstration of Lighting Patterns for studio photogrtaphy during Fine Arts Week (Feb. 16 to 21). There was Mr. Tommy Gacad (in blue shirt) of AFP giving insightful tips on extreme photo-journalism. I learn much from Tommy's stint in the Iraq war as an "embedded" photo-journalist. BTW Tommy is also an alumni of the CFA. Beside moi is fine arts photographer Marc San Valentin (in black shirt). Marc did share to me some artistic tips in alternative, conventional film developing techniques. "Iron sharpens iron" indeed during that day!

An Invitation From My Prof. Reynoso

Cruise Ship Workshop This March

Cruise Ship Photography Workshop is now ready to sail, to embark on a 3-day seminar on March 3, 4 & 5, 2009. It will be held at the FPPF offices at the FEMII Bldg. in Intramuros, Manila. The workshop includes practical shooting during embarkation, on the gangway, and how to get the proper table shots during events on the ship. Please get in touch with the FPPF (Tel: 524-7576) to catch the boat to professional training in Cruise Ship Photography! [Details]
(Photo by Custer Cano)

GEAR TALK: Spoiled by the Nikon D60

I try to keep my gear “lean yet mean” when I cover special events. After a year using my tiny Nikon D60 DSLR your physical body (especially arms) treats your cam as an appendage-an extension of your body. A tiny body enables me to move around more ably for photo variety. Then picking-up a top, pro (read: heavy) body like the D2x or Canon 1Ds MKIII with an “L” lense and flash attached can initially irritate moi (this is how I feel when I do ad photography with Shutterbug studio). It takes me a good 15 minutes to adjust from a tiny body to a tank heh heh heh! The image quality (IQ) of the D60 is dependent on the lense of choice plus in-camera adjustments (like shooting in RAW format). Never before has a tiny DLSR delivered IQ this good. And don’t be fooled with the tiny size, this D60 can be rugged enough for mass production photography (like weddings). I thought my old D70 was okay but the D60 just spoiled me. Maybe the next upgrade will surprise moi.

Angel and Joan Civil Wedding

Congratulations to Angel and Joan on your civil wedding! You have been very generous and hospitable to my team. May your tribe increase! Here's looking forward to your December 2009 church wedding-cheers!